19 October 5 Home Inspection Myths You Shouldn't Fall For October 19, 2018 By NPI Marketing Team Home Inspection first time homeowner, new homeowner, real estate 0 5 Home Inspection Myths You Shouldn't Fall For October 19, 2018 | Home Inspection | first-time homeowner, new homeowner, real estate Ordering a home inspection is the most critical part of the buying process. Because of the crucial role your inspector plays, there are lots of misconceptions out there about his or her exact part in the transaction. We’re here to clear up some common myths and help you learn what to expect from that all-important inspection report. Myth #1: Your inspector can advise you on whether or not to buy the house. Truth: Your inspector is considered an impartial observer and should never advise you on whether or not to move forward with the sales process. An inspector’s role is to tell you about the condition of the home so that you can make your own educated decision. And if you think they can be coaxed into disclosing their opinion, think again. Even if you come right out and ask, “Would you buy this house?” a good inspector will stand firm and reiterate that they can only tell you what’s working and what’s not. This is actually for the best! You’ll want a third party looking at the home with fresh eyes, one whose only job is to educate you, not sway your opinion. Myth #2: Your home inspector will tear into walls. Truth: Home inspectors are trained to perform visual, noninvasive inspections. Inspectors will never move furniture or boxes, tear holes in walls in order to look in them, or otherwise damage or manipulate your property. Save for making a few minor adjustments to your home’s settings (like the thermostat) in order to get accurate readings, you won’t be able to detect your inspector was there. But just because your home inspector can’t literally see into walls, doesn’t mean they won’t be able to let you know what’s going on behind them. With tools like infrared cameras and moisture meters, inspectors can still identify leaks, electrical problems and more. Also, depending on weather conditions and safety concerns, your inspector could be limited in the scope of their report. For example, if ice is present on a roof, your inspector will likely elect not to walk on it and make a note of this in the report. Myth #3: New constructions don’t need inspections. Truth: Every home needs an inspection, whether it’s one month old or 100 years old. Believe it or not, brand new homes can have just as many issues as old ones, often due to rush and communication breakdown during the building process. Add to that the fact that the home hasn’t been lived in yet, and issues like leaks and HVAC malfunctions won’t have had a chance to show symptoms. Even brand new homes need a full inspection to ensure safety and pinpoint any building mistakes that could cause major repairs down the road. Myth #4: Inspectors work on a pass/fail system. Truth: No home is ever evaluated on a pass/fail basis. Each home is inspected based on the universal safety and maintenance standards, but a certain number of RRs (recommend repair) and As (acceptable) won’t earn your home an A or an F. Instead, it’s up to you whether a home “passes,” meaning you’ve decided it’s a wise investment based on information provided to you in the inspection report. This all comes down to needed repairs and how much they’ll potentially cost weighed against the price and value of the home. Myth #5: Home inspectors can predict future maintenance needs. Truth: With so many factors at play, it’s simply impossible for a home inspector to predict all of your home’s maintenance needs. A brand new HVAC system, for example, could malfunction a few months or years down the road with no warning whatsoever. Things like climate and weather, wear and tear and manufacturer error mean that anything can happen. What an inspector can do is paint an accurate portrait of the condition of the home at the time of their inspection so that you can compare it with the average lifespan of appliances and systems and make the best choice for you. Call National Property Inspections to schedule your inspection today. Our inspectors can assess your home’s major systems and provide a full digital report on their condition, including high-quality photos. Find an inspector near you today to invest with success. Comments are closed.