Attending the home inspection when you have made an offer on a home is a very smart idea. In fact, many reputable and experienced home inspection professionals will encourage the homebuyer to attend the inspection and walk through the property with them. This gives them a chance to point out what is going on in the property as well as allows the buyer time to ask the inspector any questions they may have.
Here are some great questions to ask a home inspector to help get your questions rolling
What systems around the property will you check? And what will you not be checking?
Everybody knows that a home inspector is coming to look over the home to ensure its current condition is safe and livable but not everyone is aware of what the process actually entails. Many times, people have an idea of what they think will be looked at and sometimes home buyers have been disappointed to discover certain areas are not looked at.
The home inspector’s job is to conduct a visual evaluation of a property and provide you with a solid launching point of knowledge about the major systems in the home. They are there to determine if the home is safe and livable meaning it is free of health risks and any structural or mechanical issues. There are hundreds of individual items that an inspector will look over with an unbiased review of each one.
May I see a sample inspection report?
Home inspections take a significant amount of time and cover many items it is impossible to remember all of the information in your head. This is one of the major reasons why an inspector compiles their information on paper (a report) at the time that they are looking over a property.
Before your inspection is conducted it is a good idea to ask to look at a sample report so you know what to expect when you receive yours and know how to look it over.
Can You Give Further Insight to What That Means?
As you walk through the property with the inspector, they will look over the items on their required checklist and maybe more. When they see something worth making note of, they will often let you know right there. If you are unsure of what that means do not be afraid to ask for further clarification on what the issue means and if they have suggestions on how to remedy the issue. As well as if the issue is a large concern that needs the attention of the seller or if it is something common and standard expected from a home in that condition.
Additional: Are Home Inspections Necessary?
How Can I Maintain the ……?
A home will last much longer with the proper proactive maintenance. If you are unsure of the best ways to take care of something in the home, now is the perfect time to ask a professional how you can give the system top proactive care. These types of questions just may save you hundreds of dollars in repairs.
Can You Recommend a Follow-Up Person for the Issue?
No home is going to be in 100% perfect condition. There will be something that could be in better form. This does not mean that every issue is worth backing out on your offer though. Homes in good condition may need a few minor fixes. Some buyers may decide that homes found to need large or major repairs are still worth the price.
It is a good idea to ask your inspector if they know a contractor that can take care of any fixes that are needed.
For more information on professional home inspection in the Champaign area, please contact us at any time.
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More information for Home Buyers
- Is a Pre-Offer Inspection a Good Idea
- Mistakes to Avoid During Your Home Inspection
- How to Read and Decipher the Home Inspection Report
- 3 Factors Behind the Cost of Home Inspections
- Home Inspection Repair Requests Buyers Shouldn’t Make
- 9 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Home Inspection
- 5 Home Inspection Mistakes People Make