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There are many steps involved in buying a house. After being preapproved, it is easy to schedule a showing or attend an open house. Next, you need to decide which features are essential for the property and which features are optional. Next, a buyer must make an offer and negotiate with the seller or agent. The home inspection is over and buyers feel relieved. Most buyers ignore the home inspection in Honolulu and leave out important information. These are 9 home inspection tips to help buyers get the most from an inspector’s report on their new property.
Cheapest is not always the best
Many industries offer the highest-priced service. Some budget-minded providers claim to offer the same service for a fraction of the price. We always get what we pay to. Asking your agent is the best way to find out (yes, a real agent should be used to purchase a house). Ask your agent for names of two or three home inspectors, and do some research about them. Agents will be able to identify the companies with a good reputation and those that are not.
Waiving your right to inspection is asking for trouble
A few people may walk through a house and get information from the agent. They might feel the home is good enough that they don’t need an inspection. This is the worst possible option.
Unbeknownst to the homeowner, things happen all the time to homes. Water heaters burst suddenly, roofs leak and HVAC units fail during the worst heatwave in 10 years.
Although it may seem expensive now, if an inspector finds a problem, you could choose another property or negotiate a better deal.
Attend the Inspection
It is a good idea to let the inspector do their job. It is not a good idea to miss an inspection. The inspector will work in your home and you can hear their opinions. You can also ask questions about any items you aren’t sure of.
You can also learn more about the structure and features of your home by doing this. You will feel more at ease in the future by climbing into the attic and crawling through the basement or crawl space.
Many Inspection Reports aren’t Perfect
No matter how old the house is, it is likely that an inspector will find a few things to include in their report. Every home has things the inspector believes could be improved or modified. However, it does not necessarily mean that there is a problem.
These are two simple examples of what could be in a report, but they do not have any significant impact on the home’s condition.
Example 1 To maximize airflow, the inspector recommends that all return receptacles have their air conditioner filters changed. This task can seem daunting to someone who is not familiar with it. It can seem like a large expense to repair or replace the heater and air conditioner units. It is a simple and inexpensive job that homeowners can do each month. The inspector is simply pointing out the need to replace the filters.
Example 2 – Downspouts and gutters indicate a problem with the drain. This is another common problem for gutter-equipped homes. The gutters will need to be cleaned thoroughly before the drain problem can be fixed.
Photos are proof
Many inspectors will take several photos of all the places they inspect, especially if recommendations are to repair or improve.
Take a look at the photos and decide if there is a problem. If you want to purchase the house, any repair issues should be discussed with your agent to determine who will pay for it.
Don’t Focus on the Trivial
The report’s main purpose is to determine if any structural issues or major repairs need to be made (systems such as plumbing, electrical, and HVAC). It is not wise to ask the seller to replace any burned out light bulbs, crack electrical outlet covers, or steam clean carpets that are brand new.
Consider which issues are worth fighting for and which can be dealt with later. Then, speak to your agent about your concerns and negotiate. Unneeded home inspection repairs can cause the seller to consider other options.
Check that your roof is in good shape
It is essential to keep your home safe from the elements. It can be costly to replace or repair. Ask the seller or agent for as much information as you can about the roof. Answer the following questions
- When was the roof last replaced/re-shingled?
- Type of shingles and other materials used
- The warranty currently in force for the shingles
Ask the inspector whether he/she has inspected the roof and taken notes about the condition. Now is the time to ensure that the roof isn’t a time bomb ready to explode with expensive repairs.
The Roof Inspection is the second most important.
After the roof has been inspected, the inspector should inspect the attic. A leak could cause two possible problems in your attic.
- Badly vented bathroom fan
- Inadequate insulation
All moisture escapes from a bathroom vent into the attic can cause mold problems.
Insufficient insulation can make the HVAC system work harder and create a hostile environment inside the home. If insulation levels are below industry standards, it will heat up way too much in summer and get extremely cold in winter.
You should read the inspector’s report about your attic to identify any problems.
After repairs, redo the inspection
It is good to verify that the repairs have been done properly if you are negotiating with the seller. Even if there is an additional cost, asking the inspector to visit twice to inspect any repairs is good. It is possible that the seller tried to do the job themselves and skipped some steps, or that the contractor hired to do it forgot to complete one of the necessary repairs. It is wise to have a third party confirm that the repairs were done correctly.
Summarising Home Inspection Tips for Buyers
You can feel more confident about the condition of your home if you focus on the most important areas and get picture proof from an inspector. It is smart to invest money in the home before you move in.
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