Fact or Fiction? 5 Things Buyers Need to Know About Home Inspections

Home inspections have a variety of theories surrounding them. People often envision a guy going through their home checking off a host of things that are WRONG with the house, and the potential buyers nervously waiting on results, only to be disappointed as they read the report and (figuratively) see the house of their dreams come crashing down.

While this could be true in a (small) handful of circumstances, the typical home inspection experience is actually not that stressful, and can be very helpful to potential home buyers (or sellers!) when they want to feel good about their financial investment and living environment.

So, what are the myths you should watch out for, and what are the actual facts when it comes to having someone inspect your current or potential home?

Seller Responsibility

 

When an issue is found in a house, the most likely response an inspector will hear from the potential buyer is “Well the seller has to fix that, right?”. That is false. While some sellers are willing to work with potential buyers to repair issues in order to continue forward with the contract, people selling their home are not required to fix anything prior to selling their house under the average contract. While this is indeed frustrating to a potential buyer, it also shows the importance of hiring a home inspector before you sign on the dotted line. If you aren’t willing to spend the money to discover the issues and make the needed repairs, those issues could become larger and more costly (or dangerous!) and you need to re-negotiate the contract or walk away.

No Inspection Needed for New Homes 

 

This is a HUGE myth. New homes are no less subject to issues than any other house. If anything, in today’s world where homes are put together quickly and (unfortunately) cheaply, there can be a plethora of issues that aren’t visible to the naked and untrained eye. By hiring an inspector for your new home, you might be able to catch issues before an applicable warranty runs out, and that could save you a lot of money and trouble in the long run.

Old Stucco Is A Deal-Breaker

 

Not true. It’s actually the modern stuff you need to worry about. Old stucco (anything before the 1990s) is usually not a problem if it has been properly maintained. However, homes built during and after the 90s often have moisture issues with the stucco, and it’s recommended by many inspectors that you invest in an invasive moisture test before purchasing a post-90s stucco home.

Buyers Aren’t Welcome Until the End

 

This lies somewhere between fact and myth. It really depends on the inspector. Some ask that buyers only come at the end of the process, and then they can go over the report with the buyers in detail. Others actually prefer to have buyers go through the home with them, and they talk through issues as they come up. It’s best to communicate with your inspector and find out their preference. By following what they feel most comfortable with, you’ll end up with the best experience. On the flip side, home sellers, or their representing realtor, usually prefer to be on site during the inspection. This protects them, and the inspector, as there will be no debate as to whether an issue was pre-existing or happened during the course of the inspection.

We hope these tips will help you when you are in the market to purchase or sell a home. From the information above, you can clearly see that much lies upon the foundation of hiring a good quality home inspector who cares about your needs and wants the best possible outcome for you and your family. Here in Central Florida, new home construction and real estate selling is on the rise, and buyers are looking for someone they can trust. Polk County residents know that the answer is Residential Inspection Consultants. We are a family owned and operated business, and are equipped to handle all of your inspection needs, from 4-point insurance inspection to radon testing and everything in between. Give us a call to schedule your appointment!