You found the home of your dreams and you are ready to make an offer. Before you go any further, you need to think about having a home inspection.
Why do you need a home inspection?
The home inspection is your opportunity to learn about the home’s physical condition from a professional inspector. You will know if the furnace is on its last legs or if the roof is leaking or if there is dry rot in the garage walls. The inspector will check out the home from top to bottom, including the major systems such as electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and gas. With the inspection in hand, you are less likely to be surprised by an expensive repair after you buy the home. You can also ask the seller to make necessary repairs or reduce the price of the home, so that you can have the repairs made yourself.
How do you go about a home inspection?
- The first step is to have a home inspection contingency placed in your contract. The contingency will allow you to back out of the contract without losing your earnest money, if you are not satisfied with the results of the inspection.
- Once you are under contract, you need to arrange for the home inspection to take place.
- You will need to look for a certified professional home inspector with a good reputation. Ask your real estate agent or lender for recommendations. Interview the inspector before you hire him to ensure you will be satisfied with his work.
- You will need to set up a time for the inspection to take place.
How long will a home inspection take?
A typical home inspection will last around 2 to 3 hours. Larger homes may require more time. Keep in mind that your inspector will need time to do a thorough job. You should plan on being there with him so that you can ask questions when he finds a problem.
How much will a home inspection cost?
A typical home inspection in the Dayton area will currently cost around $375 and is money well spent.
Pay attention to the inspection results.
When the home inspection is complete, your inspector will give you a written report that shows what he found. Read the report carefully so that you can make a good decision about going forward with buying the home. Share the report with your real estate agent to get their opinion on the report’s findings. If the report finds that repairs are needed, ask the seller to make the repairs before you close or ask them to reduce the price of the home if they are not willing to make the repairs.