First-time homebuyers face a tall task when they enter into the real estate market. Balancing their budget and finding a neighborhood that fits their family’s needs is enough of a challenge. Learning how to negotiate a fair price and deciding whether their new home is worthy of what is likely the largest investment they’ll ever make can certainly be intimidating. Because of this, sellers and buyers alike may dread waiting for the results of the home inspection with the thought that the report could derail their deal.
The truth is, a home inspection is not a pass/fail diagnosis of a property. A home doesn’t have to “pass” an inspection in order for a sale to take place, but rather, a home inspection is an essential overview of a home’s condition at the time of the inspection. No home is perfect, and buyers should always be prepared to discover the maintenance needs of their new homes. To get a better idea of what a home inspection report is and how it prepares buyers for homeownership, let’s discuss the essentials of home inspections.
What is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of a home’s key features. Home inspectors are professionals at identifying and explaining the condition of a home at the time of the home inspection in order to provide both the home buyer and home seller a clear picture of the property. One particular benefit of a home inspector’s evaluation is that they are an unbiased third-party. They are not there to favor the buyer or the seller. Instead, a home inspector’s job is to leave the most thorough and accurate report they are able, while in compliance with industry standards of practice.
Home inspectors focus on the features that are considered the “cornerstones” of a home. In short, these are the features that are both the most important for safety, and tend to be the most costly when it comes to repairs.
The four cornerstones systems of the home are:
Many issues in these systems can end up adversely affecting other systems, leading to extensive damage that could have been avoided. With a home inspection report in hand, a new homeowner is equipped with the knowledge necessary to develop their long-term maintenance plan with confidence, rather than rely on guesswork or waiting for a breakdown to finally spur on action.
How Does a Home Inspection Help a New Homeowner?
Oftentimes, buyers and sellers concerned about “passing” an inspection are likely dealing with a home that could be considered a “fixer-upper.” Homes that need a little love to reach their potential can be a very rewarding purchase, but buyers should be prepared for the work that goes into the home improvement process. With their inspection report, buyers can make an educated decision on whether they are prepared to handle the maintenance issues that come with buying an older or neglected home.
If extensive repairs are needed immediately, a buyer can use their inspection report to re-negotiate for a fair price or allow the seller to pay for some repairs. Aspects that may require quick action include water intrusion or the presence of mold, extreme roof damage, and the presence of pests such as Wood-Destroying Organisms (like termites).
Homebuyers should never expect a home to be perfect! Every property requires an active, intentional home maintenance plan to keep everything functioning properly and looking good. For more information about how to handle a home that needs a little more work than the average home, check out some of our best advice for buying a Fixer-Upper!
To become an informed homebuyer, schedule your home inspection with NPI today! National Property Inspections’ nation-spanning network of professional property inspectors are the best in the industry. Speak with your local NPI inspector today to learn more about how they can assist with any add-on services.
