Do You Really Need a Home Inspection?

You are ready to buy a house and are wondering if you really need a home inspection. Perhaps it looks brand-new, the current owners are meticulous, you’re buying it from someone you know, you are paying cash, or it is being sold as-is. The simple answer is: Yes, you should always get a home inspection. Here is why:

What if There are Multiple Offers?
It is a seller’s market right now and houses are selling immediately, often with multiple bids. Some buyers may think that foregoing an inspection will make their offer more appealing to the seller. This can be a large and costly gamble. If you get the house, you may also inherit a host of expensive and unexpected problems that cost much more in the long run.

What if The Sellers Are Honest?
Even if you personally know the current owners and trust them, they may not know or acknowledge all the underlying problems potentially hidden in the house. Having lived in the house for a period of time, they are used to certain issues and quirks and do not have a problem with them, but you might. Having an impartial expert come in and evaluate the house is the best way to get an honest, informed opinion.

What if It Is a New House?
New homes may still have problems that are not visible to the average buyer. There may have been problems during the build with the wiring, plumbing, or even structurally so you truly need an expert opinion. Since the house was never lived in, many issues may not have surfaced during a walkthrough.

What if I Am Paying Cash or the House is Selling As Is?
Even though you do not have to appease a mortgage lender with an inspection or appraisal, it is still a good idea to find out what you are getting into. If the home inspection does find expensive problems, you may still ask the sellers to reduce the asking price, make the fixes themselves or provide you with a credit at closing so you can hire someone on your own to repair the problems. If an inspector finds a number of serious problems, you might be able to walk away from the sale without losing any of your earnest money.

Home inspections are even more critical if you are buying an “as-is” foreclosed property or short sale. Dwellings that have been boarded often develop hazardous mold problems, which are costly to remedy and pose health concerns.

What are the Main Reasons Not to Skip a Home Inspection?
A professional home inspection may reveal critical information about your new home. It can detect a variety of safety issues such as radon, carbon monoxide or mold. You may find that the house was altered incorrectly without a proper permit. Last but not least, a home inspection is the best negotiating tool and presents an opportunity to ask for repairs or a credit from the owner.

Ensure You Have the Right Home Inspector
A home inspector is not making a commission whether or not you buy the house. His sole purpose is to inform you of any potential issues or problems so you can negotiate appropriately. First and foremost, be sure you are comfortable with your home inspector. Does he have the credentials, background, and capability to provide you everything you need to make an informed decision about pursuing this purchase? Read about the Top 5 Tips to Choosing a Home Inspector here (link to the previously published blog).

Have Any Questions?
You don’t have to look far to find a top-quality inspector in Connecticut. At Angell Home Inspection Services, LLC, we provide fast, reliable, worry-free residential home inspection services designed to give you the peace of mind you deserve.

Following our evaluation, we’ll compile our findings in an easy-to-read report, which will include detailed descriptions and high-resolution digital photos of any issues we’ve discovered. We’ll email your report within 48 hours, and our job isn’t finished until you understand everything in it.

Please contact Angell Home Inspection at (860) 402-6644 or schedule your inspection here.