A home inspection is probably the most important step following the contract execution. We highly recommend you be present during the inspection. You will receive an inspection report if you are unable to attend the inspection. However, the inspector will go over any issues in detail at the inspection and point out each item as they are discussed. This also gives you the opportunity to ask them questions regarding necessary repairs. Inspection reports can be very long and detailed so it’s always a best practice to be present if at all possible. There are different types of inspections that are not included in a general inspection. A general inspection is typically electrical, mechanical, plumbing and a visual inspection of the roof and exterior. Additional inspections come with additional costs and vary from company to company.
Examples of additional inspections include:
Termite (Required on most loans in Nebraska)
Structural
Pool / Hot Tub
Sprinkler Systems
Septic Systems
Duct Work
Radon
Tips for attending a home inspection:
- Home inspections range from 2 to 4 hours depending on the size and scope of the inspection.
- Wear comfortable clothing and shoes in the event that you need to enter crawl spaces or attics.
- Ask questions, you are paying for their expertise and they are working for you. If you don’t understand a process make sure you ask questions until you do. It’s important to understand each problem and whether it’s minor or major and the expense involved.
- The inspector isn’t psychic, he/she can only inspect and detect obvious things he/she can see. Having a clean inspection report won’t keep you from having issues down the road, it just means that what can be seen is in good shape at the time of inspection.
- It’s a good idea to bring a tape measure to get measurements of rooms if you need or want them.
- If you have family members or friends who would like to see the home prior to purchase this is a good opportunity. Just make sure you let them know not to interrupt the inspector so they can stay focused on their job.
- This is also a good time to schedule any contractors for bids on additional work you may want to do after you’ve closed. We will most likely not be back until the final walkthrough.
- Make sure you bring the form of payment you intend to use to pay the inspector or make arrangements ahead of time if you plan to pay at closing.
- We will discuss repairs at a separate meeting and best not to go over those items in the home. Nowadays because many homeowners have interior surveillance and recording devices it’s best not to discuss negotiation items in the home.
- Remember the purpose of the report is not to nitpick a home but to determine if the major items that are associated with the normal working order of the home are in good working order. If you don’t care for paint or there are cosmetic issues those are items that you need to address after closing. Or, you can buy and new construction home and choose a custom design.
- It’s a good idea to take photos of rooms to refer to at a later time.
We hope this is a helpful tool, please feel free to contact us if you have additional questions.
Check out Step 9 here!