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Familiarize Yourself With The Home Inspection Process For A More Confident Purchase

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It seemed to be an endless search. However, you finally found a home you're in love with. The kitchen is large and the open floor-plan makes the home highly functional. There's still one thing that needs to be done before the process is complete: a home inspection. Home inspections are a critical component because they ensure you're getting a home in good condition, not a home with a long list of repairs. Given its importance, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the most important parts of the process.

Get A Sample Report

Before settling on a home inspector, it's a good idea to get a sample report. This is especially true if you are considering more than one inspector and you want to compare them. A sample report is simply a copy of a report prepared on another home the inspector has inspected.

Requesting a sample report from the inspector gives you an opportunity to see just how detailed the inspector is and what type of information they include. For example, does the inspector include pictures with their report? Do they not just include repair details, but also cost estimates? The more detailed the report, the easier the negotiation process will be.

Pay Attention To Time

When it comes to home inspections, a thorough examination is important. A home inspection is a top-to-bottom inspection of the home. Inspectors check the roof, breaker box, crawl space and a host of other areas around the home.

If the inspector is truly assessing the condition of these areas, it will take some time. While the size of the home and ease of access will play a part in how long the inspection takes, you should be looking for a period of at least two hours. If the inspection is completed in a considerably shorter time, this could serve as a red flag.

Read The Full Report

Typically, inspectors prepare two-part reports. Part one is a summary that highlights the major findings of the inspection. Part two is the full report. Don't make the mistake of simply reading the summary. You also need to read the full report. Reading the full report won't just offer greater detail on issues with the home, but it will also address smaller problems that aren't typically included in the summary.

For example, a smaller issue, like a malfunctioning fireplace damper, may not be included in the summary. After you use the fireplace and your home is filled with smoke, you will wish you had read this information beforehand.

Buying a home is a major investment. Make certain your inspection provides you the information you need to feel confident in your purchase. Contact a building inspection company, like Home Inspection Associate, to get started. 


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