Why Home Inspections Are So Important
Buying a home is an exciting and stressful experience. It’s exciting to think about moving to a new place that you’ll fill with many memories. You get to shop for something that will meet your needs and suit your family. However, it’s stressful to find a home that’s in the right location and checks all of your boxes. Then, once you’ve found that special place, the nerve-racking process of negotiation begins.
Eventually, if your offer is accepted and you enter a contract, the real stress begins, and your purchase hinges on several factors going well. However, if you skip any step, you risk your investment and your family’s safety. One of the most important parts of the process is the home inspection. While it might seem like an inconvenience, it can make or break your purchase.
In this article, we’re discussing why home inspections are so important to the home buying process:
What is a Home Inspection?
“A standard home inspection is a mostly visual examination of a home's structure and systems by an objective professional. The inspection gives an overall picture of the condition and safety of the home, so you can understand what repairs may be needed to get things into good shape.” - Nerdwallet.
The goal of a home inspection is to help make sure that you are getting the home you believe you’re buying. You don’t want to find yourself in an unexpected money pit. You don’t want to move your family into a home that turns out to be unsafe.
What Home Inspectors Do
Licensed home inspectors walk and crawl through, around, and under a home to ensure it is safe to purchase. They are detail-oriented, knowledgable professionals who know exactly what kind of problems homeowners can face down the road that ruin their homeowning experience.
Once they have performed their thorough inspection, they will prepare a report that details everything a homebuyer needs to know about the property. A good inspector will help real estate professionals and their clients interpret their findings, so they can determine how to proceed.
What Home Inspectors Look For
While this is not a comprehensive list, a few of the things your home inspector will be looking for include:
Exterior windows, doors, walks, patios, landscaping, grading, siding, flashing, trim, decks, porches, etc.
Floors, walls, ceilings, roofing, etc.
Plumbing pipes, drainage, waste systems, water heating, etc.
HVAC, circuits, receptacles, smoke, carbon monoxide detectors, etc.
Basements, bathrooms, garages, attics, fireplaces, etc.
Appliances, ovens, ranges, microwaves, garbage disposals, dishwashers, refrigerators, etc.
Pests, wood-destroying insects, termites, mold, etc.
Essentially, they’re looking for everything.
What Happens if Home Inspectors Find Major Issues
Sometimes inspections do reveal issues that are of great concern to homebuyers. Some of the issues that can impact the value and safety of the home include:
Mold: The existence of mold is a cause for concern. Mold develops where there is excess moisture, so if an inspector finds it, it is often in conjunction with water damage and other moisture issues.
Wood-Destroying Insects: The presence of termites and other wood-destroying insects (carpenter ants, carpenter bees, etc.) is something that gives homebuyers pause. An inspector will look for signs of active and past infestations and whether or not they have caused structural harm.
Structural Issues: If an inspector finds structural issues, it is definitely not something to ignore.
Plumbing and Electrical Problems: If your inspector finds leaking pipes, outdated plumbing, or electrical issues, they can haunt you if left unaddressed.
Are you out of luck if your inspector finds major issues? The short answer is not necessarily. Often, your inspection can be a tool for negotiation. Of course, sometimes negotiations don’t work out, and your inspection can help you get out of a bad situation and avoid an unwise investment.
How to Find a Quality Home Inspector in the Foothills and High Country
The right home inspector is someone you can trust. Your trustworthy home inspector will have an array of vital certifications and licenses. Mountaineer Home Inspections is licensed to serve North Carolina real estate professionals, homeowners, buyers, and more.
When buying your dream home, it's easy to focus on the square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, floorplan, etc., and miss the obvious and hidden problems that could end up costing you thousands in the long run. Mountaineer inspection can help you see the full picture and make sure you’re getting what you expect out of your investment. Contact us today for a thorough property inspection in North Carolina.
