All About Home Inspections
Home inspections are a necessary part of buying (and selling) a home. But what are they, how do they work, and how do you get started? RealtyHive has the home inspection checklist to help.
What is a home inspection?
Home inspections are thorough property examinations. They look to determine the house’s condition, and find any potential causes for concern. Just like people research a car before buying it, home buyers want to do the same thing.
What’s looked at in a home inspection?
Scratches in the drywall or other minor cosmetic things aren’t usually considered in an inspection. Home inspections focus on the bigger, more costly aspects of home ownership. For example, an issue with a house’s foundation or roof will lower the selling price. Here’s a standard list of what’s checked in a home inspection:
- Heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing
- Roof
- Attic
- Basement
- Visible insulation
- Foundation
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Windows
- Doors
- Floors
- Any other structural components
Who gets a home inspection?
Anyone buying a house needs a thorough home inspection. The last thing you want is to buy a home that needs costly repairs. Houses are a huge investment and if a serious issue is found, this is grounds for a lower sale price or foregoing the sale completely.
If you’re selling your house and want to move the property quickly, a pre-inspection is a good way to expedite the process. No matter what, a home inspection should happen before a sale. Buyers will likely feel more comfortable initiating a home inspection, but sellers can get a pre-inspection to help their home move faster on the market.
Are home inspection services expensive?
The price varies by region, size of home, and other factors. That being said, you don’t want to skimp when it comes to a home inspection. Buying property is often the most expensive investment you’ll make in your lifetime—home inspections aren’t the place to cut costs.
What if my home fails a home inspection?
Impossible! Appraisals are how a home’s value is determined; home inspections look at the condition of your house. Even if you’re not selling your home just yet, a home inspection is a valuable way to find any major causes for concern. Should anything come up during an inspection, you can work on getting it fixed before it hits the market. This not only saves you money in the long run, it can save your stress levels, too!
How do I find the right home inspector?
Great question! When you’re ready to buy or sell through RealtyHive, we can help you navigate the home inspection process. Contact our experts to get started!