This question comes up often during the home buying process. Most home buyers think that since they are getting an appraisal done on the house there is no need to also do a Home Inspection, but they couldn’t be more wrong!
A home appraisal must be completed when you are financing the home purchase, but the appraisal report is simply for the lender to determine the value of the home and note that there are no major defects that could cause the collateral (the home) to be worth less than the amount they are lending you on it.
An inspection on the other hand is paid for by the buyer of the home and is for the protection of the individual buying the home. Since the inspector is working on your behalf they have a vested interest in making sure you are aware of all aspects regarding the condition of the home. A home inspection is much more thorough than an appraisal as they are not only verifying there are no major defects, but they will also be looking at many other aspects of the home that are not covered in your appraisal report. In addition to locating any defects or items needing repair, an inspector will be able to provide an estimate on the remaining life of the major mechanicals in the home (HVAC, Water Heater, Electric, Plumbing, etc.) as well as the roof and siding. This will provide you with information you can use to estimate potential upcoming costs for repairs and upkeep.
How much is a Home Inspection?
A standard home inspection will generally cost between $250 and $500 depending on the size of the home and any additional features the home may have. Sometimes an older home can bring a higher cost as well as there are more items you want to inspect to ensure you are making a good purchase. Keep in mind this is just the cost of the standard inspection. Occasionally you will also want to invest in a specific additional inspection based on information found in the inspection report. These items include mold, radon, pest, termite or rodent, electrical, HVAC, asbestos, plumbing, sewer or septic, foundation, pool and spa, underground oil tank inspections, and more.
What areas will be inspected?
- The Bedrooms
- The Bathrooms
- The Basement (if applicable)
- The Attic
- The Kitchen
- The Heating & Cooling Systems
- The Electrical System
- The Plumbing System
- The Roof
- The Structure itself and the Grounds
How to deal with defects or repairs identified in the Home Inspection?
Once you receive the report you will want to determine what issues you want to be remedied and which ones you can live with to repair yourself once the purchase is complete. Working with your realtor can help here as they have usually been through multiple reports and can advise you on what is worth asking for and what could potentially be a waste of time and delay your closing.
Summary
With many markets across the United States experiencing low inventory, many buyers may be considering skipping the home inspection to speed along the process and make themselves more attractive to potential sellers. Even though that may be tempting, making sure you have time to get an inspection completed is extremely important. Even when purchasing a new or fairly new home it is still ideal to have an inspection done as you never know the quality of construction.
Contact Home Sweet Home Inspections today to schedule a time for one of our experts to come out and inspect your home!