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It is a good idea to inspect a house before you buy it. Although the inspection may reveal more defects than you expected, it does not necessarily mean your deal is over. This is how inspections work, and the next steps to take after you’ve had one.
It is recommended that any home buyer request a complete inspection before closing. It is important to know what is and isn’t included in a home inspector and your options for moving forward should any defects be found.
How home inspections work
You have the option to choose the company that you want to inspect your home. Your real estate agent will likely recommend a reliable company if you don’t know of one. You, the buyer, pay for the inspection. In addition to being able (and encouraged) to attend the inspection in person.
The standard inspection assesses the condition of the home’s heating, air, plumbing, roof, walls and ceilings, floor, windows, doors, foundation, structure, and wiring. You may also need additional inspections to check for things such as pests or radon. After the home inspection in Bettendorf, you should receive a detailed report including photos and defects descriptions.
Fixes you can make yourself
Rarely will a home inspector find anything wrong with a house. If this happens, you might question the inspector’s thoroughness. You don’t have to buy the house if you find problems, but you might need to fix them down the line.
You shouldn’t ask the seller for repairs if you plan on remodeling the bathroom or kitchen soon after buying the house.
These are the most common fixes that sellers make after a move-in
- Cosmetic problems – Retouching or restaining wood floors
- Easy or inexpensive repairs – If the price is less than $100, you can ask the seller to fix it.
- Broken sockets or switches – This might seem like a big deal. It is not a serious problem unless an inspector determines that the issue is electrical. A loose wire or worn-out part usually causes this, and it’s easy to fix.
- Outside structures — A seller is unlikely to fix garages or sheds, especially in a highly competitive market.
How to Negotiate Fixes
You have two options if you are short of cash or can’t afford to fix the house. Either ask the seller for repairs at no cost, or negotiate for a lower price or cash-back.
Although you may be able to ask the seller to make repairs after an inspection, you must choose your battles. The seller will always say no. This should be reserved for serious structural or mechanical problems. When deciding what repairs to request from a seller, you should rely heavily on the expertise and experience of your realty agent.
A seller might fix common defects such as a leaky roof, serious plumbing problems, dangerous electrical defects, and drainage problems. A seller may be willing to send an exterminator to deal with termite or wildlife infestations. These are often issues you want to resolve before moving into a home. It is common for sellers to pay the bill and cover the cost of having these issues addressed before closing.
How to Negotiate for Money
You may be able to ask the seller for cash-back credit when closing. This means that the seller will give you money you can use to finish the project. The seller may offer you a lower purchase price. While these options may seem similar, they could have different implications for your mortgage.
If you feel the seller’s contractor may make poor repairs or you want to speed up closing, you can ask for cash-back. You may be able to request a reduction in the asking price if the problem is serious but not necessarily urgent.
When to Walk
Although most defects in a house can be repaired, it is possible to charge a high price. You may need to end the deal if the seller refuses repairs to a serious problem such as a foundation problem. It doesn’t mean the problem will disappear, but it can be fixed. You’ll need to repair it yourself.
Problems Not Found During An Inspection
Although inspectors will try to find all defects in the property, they might not be able to catch them all. They aren’t experts in everything. They may be able to check that the air conditioner unit is functioning, but it’s impossible to know if it will still work when you move in without an HVAC specialist inspecting it.
Inspections can be difficult because leaks and structural problems are easy to overlook. Although inspectors are trained to spot signs of leaks, they may not be able to detect them if the inspection was done after a dry season.
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