What is a Home Inspection?
Buying a home is typically one of the biggest investments a person will make in their life, which is why a home inspection can be a crucial element of most home purchases. A home inspection is an examination of the structure and systems of a home from the roof to the foundation. The inspection can reveal necessary repairs or maintenance issues that could either make or break the potential of your new or existing home.
What to Expect from a Home Inspection?
Whether you are buying or selling a home, an inspection can help assess the value of your home and see if your home is in need of any work. Both buyers and sellers should attend the inspection so you can ask questions and have the inspector explain in detail about issues that may arise in your home.
The home inspection can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, depending on the size of the house. According to HomeAdvisor, a home inspection in 2019 cost between $278 and $389, which also depends on the size of the home. The cost of a home inspection varies depending on where you live and the size of your home. It is up to the buyer and seller to negotiate who will pay for the inspection.
What Does a Home Inspection Checklist Include?
A home inspection will let you know everything that is wrong with your home. While that may sound scary, it can allow you time to fix major issues before putting your home on the market or give a buyer an idea of how much they would need to spend on repairs for their potential new home.
Inspectors have over 1,000 items on their checklist. Here are just a few of the areas of a home your inspector is looking for in your home:
- Structural foundation
- Roof: shingles, loose gutters, chimney defects
- Windows, doors, trim: peeling caulk, damaged glass, rotting frames
- Kitchen: no leaks under the sink, proper venting, cabinet doors, and drawers operate
- Bathrooms: toilets operate properly, tubs are securely fastened
- Plumbing: working light switches and outlets
A home inspection is not a test that you pass or fail – it is simply an assessment of the condition of a home. No home is perfect so don’t fret over every single error your inspector finds, but you should note the more costly issues that may arise. If you are looking to have your home inspected, your lender or realtor can give you recommendations. You may use the Find An Inspector search tool for a list of home inspectors in your area.
This is not financial management advice. Please consult your financial advisor for financial management advice. The included content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as professional advice. Consult with a finance professional for tax advice or a mortgage professional to address your mortgage questions or concerns. This is an advertisement. Prepared 3/07/2019.