Home inspections can be a great way to uncover any potential costly problems before a potential homebuyer reaches an agreement on the price. Real estate agents usually draft a purchase contract with a contingency clause for home inspection, giving the homebuyer between 10 and 14 days to complete the process. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), nearly 84% of all home buyers will hire a home inspector to purchase their home. It's best to attend the inspection so you can observe and ask questions or provide information to the inspector.
Specialized inspections can be recommended, which focus on specific aspects, and come at an additional cost. If a home inspector doesn't have time to respond to your calls or emails, find another one who can communicate regularly and openly. Home inspectors can recommend specialists to homebuyers to provide information on any alarming findings related to other topics the inspector doesn't focus on or has no experience with. An example of a report that indicates that a more thorough inspection has been carried out could justify the increase in the price of an inspector.
For example, the cost of an inspection of an old 3,500-square-foot home is likely to be greater than that of a newer, smaller condo. The closing costs include the appraisal of the home issued by your lender, but the purpose of the inspection is to discover the value of the home, not to produce a complete list of necessary repairs. Home inspectors play a critical role in informing the buyer of any underlying conditions that may influence that cost. To obtain an inspector's license in Texas, a person must complete the required education and training and pass the national home inspector exam.
A home inspection is an essential step in the homebuying process because it gives the potential owner the opportunity to discover potential future home-related problems before closing. It's vital to ensure that your preferred inspector is licensed and equipped with the necessary tools to perform the inspection. While the inspection could end at that time, a good inspector will make a follow-up call about 48 hours after delivering the report to see if you have any questions. Home inspections can help buyers make informed decisions about their purchase and avoid costly surprises down the line.
