Home inspections: A must for every home buyer
When you’re buying a home, you don’t want to skip the home inspection step. Home inspections are an important part of the home-buying process. An inspection by an InterNACHI-certified home inspector can prevent you from purchasing a home with serious issues such as mould, structural defects, faulty plumbing, and more.
Firstly, you should insert a contingency in the “Offer To Purchase” which states that the sale is dependent on a satisfactory home inspection. In addition, you should also agree to a “Contingency Period” which will give you time to have a home inspection done. Furthermore, this period should be between four to seven days depending on how soon you can get an appointment with a home inspector.
Based on the results of a home inspection, the contingency will then give you the right to cancel the sales agreement. In addition, you can walk away from the transaction without recourse if you are unsatisfied with the seller’s response to a request for an inspection and contingency.
You lose the right to have the home inspected and to negotiate over defects found in a home once the contingency period ends.
What is a home inspection?
As a home buyer, it is your right to have your future home inspected for potential faults and defects. Therefore, don’t skip this step!
A home inspection is a complete review of a home’s structure and systems, including plumbing, air-conditioning, electrical, and ventilation. A certified home inspector typically performs a home inspection in conjunction with the sale of a home.
A home inspection is different from a home appraisal. An appraisal is an evaluation of a home’s value. Furthermore, an appraisal is done by the bank’s inspector as part of the loan approval process to help determine a loan-to-value.
Home inspections, done by an InterNACHI certified home inspector, by contrast, are an evaluation of a home’s condition!
Home inspections are an important part of the home-buying process. It’s what can keep you from purchasing a home with structural problems, issues with mould and stormwater problems, and so on.
To protect your investment and avoid unexpected hidden expenses you should never buy a home without having a home inspection!
The power of a home inspector and inspection
Home inspections are a top-to-bottom review of a home. A home inspection is an essential part of the home purchase process.
A home inspection is normally performed after you and the seller have reached an agreement on the sale of a home.
I review all of the following areas of a home:
- Exterior
- Structural
- Roof
- Ceiling Space
- Plumbing
- Appliances
- Garage
- Electrical
- Air-conditioning
- Ventilation/Insulation
- Fireplaces
- and lots more!
If found on the property, I will mention mould or termite issues. However, they are specialised issues that do not form part of a normal comprehensive home assessment.
What if your home inspector finds a serious defect?
InterNACHI-trained certified home inspectors will find areas of concern, even with new construction. No home is perfect!
You can ask the seller to repair serious defects. Alternatively, you can request an adjustment to the sales price of the home. If the seller is not open to repairs or an adjustment, you can decide whether to continue with the purchase or not.
You can “walk away” from the transaction without recourse if you are unsatisfied with the seller’s response to a request.
Inspected Once, Inspected Right!®
SEE WHERE I INSPECT IN GAUTENG!
THE HOME DETECTIVE » home inspection blog » Homebuyer »