It’s no secret that purchasing a home can be a difficult and stressful process. So, when you find your dream house, making an offer right away may seem like the logical next step — it isn’t!
Call a home inspector instead.
And, no, conducting your own “thorough examination” will not produce the same results.
We understand that paying a home inspector on top of everything else seems counterintuitive. But, just as you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, you shouldn’t judge a house by its appearance.
Here are three important reasons to have a home inspection before you buy a house:
1. Safeguard Your Investment
During a home inspection, an inspector thoroughly examines the building’s components, such as plumbing, insulation, and roofing, for structural and potential safety issues. If you are located in Marion County, FL make sure you get an Ocala Roofing Company to do a roofing inspection.
Are you certain that your prospective new home is mold-free?
No? There you go!
A house may appear to be move-in ready, but a home inspection may reveal issues that are not readily apparent, saving you thousands of dollars in the long run.
2. Confidently Ask for Repairs / Negotiate a Better Offer
Home inspection reports are very powerful negotiation tools because it is difficult for sellers to ignore an objective home inspection done by a professional.
Do you need to request repairs without seeming unreasonable? Present your home inspection report. Even if the seller refuses to make repairs per the inspection report, you can still negotiate a price reduction to the purchase offer. In some cases, this may be the better option because you’ll be able to directly supervise the repairs to your new house.
3. Avoid Insurance Pitfalls
Homeowners insurance, unlike auto insurance, is not required by law. However, in most cases, home insurance is essential. Most banks, for example, will not give you a mortgage unless you first provide proof of home insurance.
And some insurance companies will not cover a house if it has flaws — like a roof that hasn’t been updated in the last 20 years or lead pipes instead of copper — especially if you want coverage for flooding, earthquakes, and sewer back-ups.
A home inspection report will illustrate how much you can expect to pay in insurance premiums.
Final Thoughts
You’ll be able to make more confident decisions about your new home after a home inspection.
Don’t forget to thank your home inspector!