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You’ll sleep better at night in your new home knowing that you got the full picture before you ever turned the key and walked through the front door as a new homeowner. However, in certain cases, a seller might have a home inspection done proactively. Some of the same problems that a single-family home could have — such as a leaking roof or faulty electrical — can still exist in a condo or townhome. Even a new construction home could have issues if the contractor cuts corners.
Who Orders the Inspection When Buying a Home
Fixing safety and maintenance issues before you list gives the new homeowner confidence they won’t need to negotiate or pay for any repairs in the short term. If you’re qualified, you may be able to handle some of the repairs yourself. And even if you’re not, a seller’s inspection gives you the freedom to familiarize yourself with building code requirements before you tackle a project. If your lender doesn’t require an inspection or you’re paying for the home in cash, an inspection is usually still a good idea.
Buying Options
Some buyers like to add on an inspection of the trees on and near the property, while others choose to pay extra for inspection of outbuildings. A home inspection is a process in which a trained professional visually inspects a property. The inspector’s job is to ensure that the home’s major systems are working correctly, are in good condition, and meet local codes. These systems include the structure, electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and plumbing. The inspector will take a close look at the connections for and service of utilities.
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Include your basement, attic, or porch space in the square footage calculation. If you’re unsure, provide details about your property, such as the number of rooms, bathrooms and floors. While buying a home is a significant expense, skipping the inspection can cost you a lot of money down the road. A home inspector checks all parts of a house, including the structure, electricity, plumbing, and safety. Sellers can also pay for a home inspection before listing a home for sale.
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If the inspector finds any issues, the sellers can address them, or the buyers can walk away. Sellers often have the upper hand when it comes to home inspections. “In a seller’s market, buyers are often forced to limit their home inspections to cover only health and safety issues to remain competitive as bidders. His company charges $450 for a standard inspection for a 1,500-sq.-ft. Property, with a $50 increase for each additional 500 square feet.
A home inspection course and license costs between $1,000 and $3,500, depending on the level and area of expertise you want to pursue. NACHI is the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. It is a non-profit group that works to promote excellence in home inspection. The organization supports home inspectors by offering education, networking, and resources. They also work to improve the industry through research, advocacy, and developing standards.
Who Pays for Repairs After a Home Inspection?
Fires or electrical shocks can happen due to faulty wiring, poor grounding, or other problems. Safety features like ground fault circuit interrupters, smoke detectors, or carbon monoxide detectors are also inspected during this process. Are there maintenance issues you’ve either delayed or decided to live with? There may even be a new problem developing right now, without your knowledge. It’s then up to the buyer to interpret the results and decide how they want to move forward with the seller. Learning as much about the home as possible helps a homebuyer minimize the risk of future surprises.
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Selecting a Home Inspector
We recommend you attend to ask questions and better understand the house’s condition. The house’s mechanical systems, including HVAC and water heaters, only last 10 to 15 years. The inspector will check that everything works properly and functions as it should.
You’ll get tips on how to find a good inspector, whether you need to hire one, and what you can expect to pay. The process take two to four hours, and evaluate the foundation, framing and all major systems in the home. Specialists provide quotes for any recommended repairs after conducting their inspection. For example, a septic tank inspector could estimate the cost of routine maintenance on a standard size tank and recommend a possible technician. Home inspectors are certified by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) and use hundreds of criteria to identify disrepair in homes.
Please note that if you use our matching service, we may be compensated. In the grand scheme of things, a home inspection doesn’t cost that much. It provides you with valuable information and could protect you from a financially disastrous mistake. Most experienced agents will highly recommend that you have one done.
If the seller doesn’t agree, you can back out of the sale without losing your earnest money. Eric Swiatek is a licensed home inspector with over two decades of experience in the housing industry and an up-to-date radon testing license. He has performed over 1,500 property inspections and currently owns a home inspection business in Ohio.
Age, function, and condition of major appliances are items usually included in the inspection, and the inspector will also assess fire safety and look for termites or other damaging infestations. This report indicates if there are safety issues that require repair along with any major or minor flaws. The report will also include any items that are acceptable at the time of the inspection but need to be monitored. Additional factors that impact inspection costs include a home’s size and age. The fee for a large home of more than 2,000 square feet averages around $400, while less than 1,000 square feet might cost just $200. In some cases, a home inspector may charge a flat rate for homes up to a certain size and increase the fee incrementally for larger homes.
This will give you a better sense of your area’s going rate and each company’s services. Be sure to ask if any professional organizations accredit them or have licensing from state governing bodies. A home inspection cost calculator estimate may vary from your actual quote, which is one of the reasons why we offer a Low, Average, and High estimate.
While an inspector might stick their head into a crawl space or plumbing access door, a home inspection is a surface-level inspection and is not a guarantee that the home is in perfect condition. Unless required by law, inspections will not automatically cover testing for radon gas, asbestos, mold, or lead paint, though these can usually be added on as separate costs. House inspection costs also will not cover problems inside the walls that can’t be seen.
Online home inspection services charge customers a fee based on the inspection cost, regardless of who did it. A home inspection checklist shouldn’t replace a professional inspection, but it can help you narrow down or eliminate properties before making a purchase offer. The answers you get from asking around will give you a range to determine what you should pay. The best way to discern whether an inspector is charging you a fair price is to see what other inspectors in your area are charging for homes like the one you want to buy. You may be able to shop online — some inspectors publish their fees on their websites.
Home inspectors usually find more issues in older homes, but no home is risk-free. No, home inspections are usually not included in the closing costs. However, realtors often add it to their estimation of what buyers should put aside for the closing. Kenin points out that homes with mold problems often require additional inspections as do homes with pools. Homes with radon systems and pest problems also often require additional inspection procedures.
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