Buying a home is one of the most important transactions you’ll ever make. You need to know whether your future home has any hidden problems that will require time and money to solve — and you need to know before you buy.
Always hire an independent, trusted inspector to make sure that the home you’re buying is in good physical condition. The current owner might not know about issues with the home. Don’t depend on the home seller to get the home inspected for you.
A good real estate team should be able to connect you with a thorough and reputable home inspector.
Generally an inspection only costs a few hundred dollars and takes a few hours — but it could save you a lot of time and money.
Your home inspector will look for any defects or problems with the home’s:
- Structural soundness
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing
- Foundation
- Windows
- Doors
- Roofing
- Heat and AC systems
Your home inspector will also look for problems like dry rot and other issues. Be sure also to find out whether your home inspector will also look for problems with infestations on the property. You may need to hire a separate, licensed pest inspector for a separate report.
Making the deal contingent
When going under contract, it’s typical to include a contingency that allows you to get the home inspected and back out of the deal in case an inspection reveals a problem with the property’s condition that you and the seller can’t come to an agreement about.
Keep the inspector’s written report in a safe place, and be sure that you exactly understand every part of it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if the inspector uses jargon that you don’t immediately understand. A good real estate agent should also be able to help you address any concerns you may have about the condition of a home.
If anyone you know needs to buy or sell a home in the DMV, contact The Keri Shull and Orange Line Living Team today!
