General Home Inspection gets asked alot of questions, so here are some of the more frequently asked questions that we receive.
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Do I need to have a home inspection?
A home inspection protects you as the new purchaser of the home, so should there be any issues with any aspect of the home, it will be covered in the home inspection report. And if you are borrowing money from a bank, the lender will require a home inspection with some types of mortgage loans. Home inspections cover the interior and exterior parts of the home, like electrical, roofing and siding, HVAC and plumbing and other things, that you may have not thought about previously.
Can I just inspect the house myself and not hire a home inspector?
Simply put, no. You cannot and should not inspect any homes you may be interested in purchasing by yourself. This takes a licensed home inspection professional, with a lot of special training, certification and experience, to know what all to look for when inspecting a home. And any bank lender will require a home inspection completed by a licensed professional before the home can be bought and closed. It is important to make sure any work done is up to the required standards, so the home is safe for you to live in.
How much does a typical home inspection cost?
Home inspections will typically vary in price depending on the size of the home or property that you would like to buy and how experienced a home inspector is too. The cost of a home inspection should never be a major factor for choosing an inspector. Saving a few hundred dollars is not a wise decision when you could spend thousands fixing a problem after you have moved into the home. Pricing may also vary depending on which state you are located in as well.
How do I choose a qualified home inspector?
When it comes to home inspections, choosing the right home inspector is one of the most important decisions. Hiring a cheap inspector or inexperienced one is never a smart move. You can get recommendations from family and friends, you can go check out independent reviews online, and you may also ask your bank lender or real estate agent for a recommendation. Please make sure anybody you hire is a licensed home inspector, they are set to more training and higher standards.
Do I need to be at the home inspection?
It is not necessary for you as the buyer to be present at a home inspection, and some inspectors would prefer that you not to, just so they can concentrate on doing the inspection without any interruptions from you during the process. A home inspection can be very educational. Upon reviewing the final home inspection report, feel free to ask the inspector any questions or concerns that you may have.
Should my real estate agent be at the home inspection?
Well this all depends. Again, a real estate agent is getting paid to be your eyes and ears, and part of their job is to represent you throughout the course of the sale, but may also prove to be a distraction or interruption if there in person. So it all depends on the real estate agent, the home inspector and yourself as the potential buyer, so it is optional and not required.