Preparing to buy a home is no small feat; it’s one of the most significant purchases a person will ever make, so the buyer should be fully knowledgeable of the condition of the home they are buying. One of the easiest ways to do so is by requesting a home inspection. Though this is an optional action in many cases, it is highly recommended for something as significant as buying a home. The first few months or even years of homeownership can be made easier just by requesting a home inspection.
One essential item to note is that an appraisal is not the same as a home inspection. An appraisal is the assessment of a home to provide a fair market value. Appraisals are a requirement in a typical transaction of buying and selling a home, but it does not offer a complete picture of the home’s condition.
Houses appreciate or increase in value over time, making them an appealing buy for many people. Still, to see a significant return on investment, the house must maintain a good condition in its external features and the inner workings of its systems. A home inspection can reveal vital information about the quality of the home and its systems, such as air conditioning and heating, plumbing, electrical, and more. While this may draw out the time to closing, it can give the buyer peace of mind about the property they will invest in. It is often hard to tell if there are issues during a walk-through or showing of a home for sale. Bringing in a professional to get a more thorough understanding of a home can better evaluate the state of a home in its entirety and draw attention to any areas that need correction before the final sale.
According to research, more than 80% of people who received a home inspection found at least one issue with the home’s condition. That’s not to say that most homes have significant problems, but it is nice to know if any minimal or significant maintenance is upcoming before making a purchase. The prospect of homeownership can be overwhelming to some, but knowing the significant investment is going to be worthwhile can ease some of the nerves.
One of the most important reasons for requesting a home inspection is that it allows the buyer to negotiate with the seller to either make the repairs before closing or, at a minimum, drop the price point to supplement any cost of repairs that will be on the buyer after the sale.
A home inspection provides enough detail to truly understand its overall state and the possible repairs necessary to keep it functional. While a home inspection may seem like a small piece of the giant puzzle of buying a home, buyers should not underrate its value. Knowing that a home is a good or trustworthy purchase by using a home inspection can give buyers additional confidence going to the closing table. If you have questions about buying or selling your home or are new to the idea of homeownership, call me at 717-253-3259 (cell) or visit www.karentavenner.com.