Home Inspection Mistakes to Avoid

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home inspection mistakes from jacksonville fl home inspectors

 

5 Common home inspection mistakes made by buyers and sellers

A home inspection is intended to give the buyer (and sometimes seller) an overall summary of the condition of the home they’re thinking about purchasing. Home inspections are an important part of the buying and selling process. Not only can the home inspection save you money on costly repairs, it can also provide you with valuable insight on how to maintain your home.

A home inspector is there to educate you on your future home. The inspection report should provide you details on all of the major systems of the home, including the roof, electrical, plumbing, foundation, etc. This can be very beneficial to first-time homebuyers as well as individuals who have owned several homes. If you are in the process of buying or selling your home, read below to learn about 5 home inspection mistakes you’ll want to avoid:

1. Not getting a home inspection.

Obviously this is number one on the list. Not getting a home inspection can end up being the worst decision you make when buying a home. Home inspections can reveal major issues with a home that may go unnoticed by an untrained eye. If these types of defects are noted in a home inspection report, it allows you to walk away from a potential nightmare.

But what if the home doesn’t have any major defects?

You can still use your inspection report to negotiate repairs for the issues your home inspector finds. Every home has issues, even new ones, so it is very likely that some type of repair will be needed. There are a couple different ways to handle repairs: 1) You can ask the seller to make repairs and provide receipts for the work performed 2) Request a credit from the seller, and have the repairs made by someone of your choice 3) Negotiate the asking price of the home based on the estimated costs of repairs. Consulting with your Real Estate Professional, Attorney, and/or Contractor for further advice with regards to any items or concerns listed in the home inspection report is always advised.

2. Choosing your home inspector based on cost alone.

Choosing the cheapest home inspector is not always the best value. A home is likely the biggest purchase a person will ever make. Saving a few dollars on this type of investment may not be the best idea. Here are a few things to look for when hiring a home inspector:

3. Being absent from the home inspection.

We get that sometimes it’s simply not possible for you to attend the inspection. Our home inspection reports are very detailed and include a lot of information for our clients. However, if it is possible for you to attend the home inspection, we highly recommend being there. Even if you just show up towards the end, the knowledge learned from a first-hand interaction with the home inspector is priceless.

4. Flipping through the home inspection report.

Most home inspection reports contain a ton of valuable information. Important details, like the location of main shutoff valves and the age of major appliances, may be included in your inspection report. A good home inspection report will be easy to navigate and understand. It will also provide a short description of any issues, as well as clear pictures to help the buyer understand exactly what is wrong.

Your home inspection report will likely have different categories identifying the severity of any noted issues. Don’t be overwhelmed by the amount of items noted in the report. Many will be minor maintenance items that can be easily repaired. Focus on the more important issues when negotiating with the seller. Sellers are usually more receptive to a reasonable list of repairs.

5. Not preparing your home for the inspection.

Home inspectors need access to the major components of the home in order to provide a thorough inspection. For example, If you have a car parked under the garage attic access, the inspector will not be able to enter the attic. If access is not provided on the day of the inspection, a re-inspection may be necessary, and may be charged to the seller. Some other components that the inspector will need to access include:

  • Electrical panel
  • Water heater
  • Attic
  • HVAC equipment

All utilities to the property should also be turned on prior to the inspection.

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Buying or selling a home in the Jacksonville FL area? Our detailed home inspection consists of a thorough examination of all systems and components of the home. See one of our sample home inspection reports and read our 5-star home inspection Jacksonville FL reviews. We’re always here to answer any questions, whether it’s weeks, months or years after your home inspection. Let our local, Jacksonville FL home inspectors help you make an informed decision.

Bold City Home Inspections provides home inspection services to all of Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties. Click the button below for a FREE, no-obligation home inspection quote:

 

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