Most homebuyers in the Twin Cities will have a home inspection conducted before purchasing a home. These inspections are usually the final opportunity a buyer will have to examine one of the most significant purchases they will make. As such, the buyer needs to have the correct types of inspections and have the right people conducting them. There is a cost for inspections but it is well worth the investment.
What is a home inspection? How much does it cost?
The most common inspection is a complete home inspection. These are comprehensive inspections that take multiple hours and cost roughly $300- $700 depending upon the type of home and size. The inspector will look at the overall integrity of the property, not the color of the walls or furnishings. Things a home inspector will examine include the property’s HVAC system, interior plumbing and electrical systems, roof, floors, windows and doors, etc.
Depending upon the home’s variables, such as location, age, and condition, additional inspections may be recommended. During the complete home inspection, potential issues such as a questionable furnace or roof may be detected that require a more specialized inspection. Your home inspector can recommend additional inspections, and your Realtor® can assist you in sourcing reputable professionals to conduct them. Other times, it is evident that a specialized inspection is necessary such as a well water and septic test when a home is serviced by a well and septic system.
What do home inspectors look for?
Here are the things an inspector is questioning when conducting a thorough evaluation:
- Foundation: Are there cracks in the foundation? Is mildew growing on the foundation?
- Wall: Are there cracks in the walls? Is there any damage caused by water, air, or heat?
- Roof: Does the roof have mold, structural issues, or wear and tear by natural elements? Does the roof have any leaks?
- Grading: Does the ground surrounding the house slope so that rainwater flows away from the house or towards a drain?
- Electrical: Is there faulty electrical wiring? Are there overloaded circuits? Do the outlets work?
- HVAC: Are the HVAC appliances working properly?
- Plumbing: Are the sinks, toilets, or pipes leaking? Are the pipes corroded at all?
- Kitchen: Do the appliances work properly and safely?
- Asbestos: Are there signs of asbestos anywhere?
- Radon: What are the levels of radon in the water, air, and soil surrounding the property?
- Lead-based paint: Is there evidence of the use of lead-based paint?
- Termite: Are there visible signs of a termite infestation, such as droppings or damaged wood?
- Mold: Is there mold in the home? If so, what kind of mold is it?
- Chimney: Are there any obstructions or cracks in the chimney?
In addition to a general home inspection, here a few examples of additional, more specialized inspections your home may need to have completed by a licensed professional:
- Radon
- Moisture Intrusion
- Chimney
- Pests
- Septic
- Well
- Sewer Line
- Lead-Based Paint
- Furnace/Air Conditioner
- Roof
Why get a home inspection?
There is a multitude of reasons to do an inspection. The most obvious reason is to detect if there is a major defect in the home. Fortunately, finding major flaws is not typical. Many inspections uncover minor defects that are not readily apparent without a closer examination.
Regardless of the end results, it is valuable for a buyer to understand the strengths and shortcomings of a home. All homes are unique; understanding the condition and how to maintain a particular property is essential for any homeowner.
Who orders a home inspection, and who gets the results?
The buyer’s real estate agent will assist in setting up the inspection with the seller’s agent. When complete, the inspector will furnish the buyer(s), who typically pay for a home inspection, with a report and explain the results. In most cases, the seller will never see the results of a home inspection financed by the buyer.
I’m buying a brand new house, do I need a home inspection?
At a minimum, Fazendin Realtors strongly recommends all buyers conduct a complete home inspection before finalizing a purchase agreement. This recommendation applies to newly built homes as well as pre-owned properties. Because a home is new, one would assume it would be in impeccable condition. However, we have learned through experience that this is not always the case.
When should I schedule a home inspection?
The timing for inspections is agreed upon in the purchase agreement. Typically, the time frame is in the range of 8-14 days after the acceptance date of the purchase agreement.
Should I be there for the inspection?
While they have every right to be there, it is best that the sellers not be on the property during the inspection. Selling your home is an emotional time. The urge to defend or explain an issue found by the inspector could infringe on an inspector’s ability to write the impartial report that the buyer financed.
On the flip side, we strongly recommend the buyer be present for the completion, if not all, of the inspection. This process is an opportune time to ask questions and learn all of the quirks of a home.
What if the inspector finds something?
Sometimes the findings of a home inspection initiate a negotiation between the buyer and seller. In these instances, the buyer has options:
- The buyer moves forward with the purchase of the home as is.
- The buyer asks the seller of the home to fix the issues.
- The buyer requests a price decrease or credit on the purchase so that they can pay to fix the issues themselves.
- The buyer decides not to move forward with purchasing the home.
Equally, the seller has the option to accept or reject some or all the buyer’s requests.
Your Realtor® is vital at this stage of your home purchase and home sale. He or she will explain your options to you and advise you on possible courses of action while negotiating on your behalf.
We hope you found this general overview of home inspections useful. If you would like to know more about the home inspection process, we encourage you to reach out. Fazendin Realtors is happy to answer any questions you may have.
You can contact us by calling 952-473-7000 or emailing us at contactus(at)fazhomes(dotted)com.