Letās talk about home inspections. Why you need them, and what they are about. I sat down with Nigel, the owner of ENG Inspections and he answered some of the most common questions we get asked about home inspections.
Why do I need a home inspection? Itās not required to get a loan.
A home is one of the largest investments someone will make in their life. When making a purchase of this magnitude, you want to know you have a safe and stable home, and that there are no high-dollar surprises when you move in. They are rare, but you canāt rely on the sellerās disclosure, especially if itās an investment or probate property.
What is involved with a home inspection?
A home inspector will inspect everything we physically can, from the top of the roof all the way down to the foundation of the home. We are looking for major defects and any other defects that could lead to health and safety concerns.
How long does an inspection take and how much does it cost?
A typical home inspection will take 3 or 4 hours, we want to make sure we take the time to see everything. The cost of a home inspection varies depending on the size of the home, but to give a general idea a condo inspection starts around $300 and the costs goes up from there depending on the property type and size.
Is it OK for the buyer to be there during the inspection?
Absolutely, and itās encouraged. We want to show you the property you are interested in through their eyes, without emotion involved. It really gives the buyer peace of mind that they are making a sound investment.
Can I have the seller pay for everything that goes wrong?
Typically, health and safety items are reasonable to request the seller to pay for. The rest of it is kind of a Saturday project list. Itās rare that there are major structural problems, but they are out there, and thatās why we have home inspections.
If you have any questions, feel free to give Nigel at ENG Inspections a call at 778-302-4663.
For more useful information on becoming an educated buyer in today’s market,Ā contact meĀ for a free copy of myĀ Becoming an Informed Home BuyerĀ guide.
