What to Expect From Home Inspections as a Homebuyer

Today I’m here with team president Robert Johnson to talk to you about home inspections. What should buyers, in particular, expect during that process?

Many first-time homebuyers make it to the point of home inspections in the home buying process and have a breakdown, as though the world were going to end. But the inspection report is written in a way that’s meant to spook you, so we’re here to impart some knowledge onto you so that you can be prepared.

There’s no such thing as a pass or a fail during a home inspection. It’s simply a report with a list of things that are wrong with the house—and every house typically has something on that list. You just need to go through the home inspection report and work with the inspector, and your agent can help you establish which are the main issues to focus on. Not everything listed on a home inspection report needs to be addressed immediately.

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There’s no such thing as a pass or a fail during a home inspection

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Think of the inspection report as a blueprint for what needs fixing during the first few years of homeownership. It doesn’t mean that you can’t live in the home, just that you need to pay attention to those items.

When you become a homeowner, you’ll naturally have to spend some money fixing things over time, but the trade-off is that you get the benefits of tax write-offs, equity, and creative control over the home.

The inspection period is also sometimes an opportunity to renegotiate. Depending on what’s in the contract, you can sometimes have the seller pay for some or all of those items, or you can get a credit on the sale so that you can pay to have them addressed.

Ultimately, don’t let the home inspection process freak you out. There will always be items on the report to be fixed, but those shouldn’t usually be bad enough to cause you to move on to a different home.

If you have any questions about the home inspection process or are looking for a home to buy, feel free to reach out to us. We’d be glad to advise you.