There are many things that need to get checked off the list during the home buying process. Both buyers and sellers have specific tasks to complete in order to make sure the sale goes smoothly. One crucial part of the home buying process is the inspection. This is an essential piece to the puzzle, as it allows the buyers to have a clear picture of the home they are interested in.
While home inspections are common, sometimes there is some confusion about what exactly takes place during a home inspection and what buyers and sellers can expect. We wanted to give you a better idea of the home inspection process and what you can do to prepare.
What Does the Home Inspector Check?
While there are many, many things that a home inspector will check, these are some things that are high priority and will definitely be inspected.
Safety
One of the top priorities for a home inspector is making sure the family moving into a home will be safe. Things that are usually checked for safety are smoke detectors, ground fault interrupters, safety glass in bathrooms, and stairs, just to name a few. These are high priority things that home inspectors will check to make sure the home is safe and secure.
Exterior
Another thing that home inspectors will be checking are items related to the home’s “envelope” or exterior. These are things that will shield the home from weather elements or natural disasters, such as drainage, foundation of the house, gutters, intersection of roof and walls, and much more.
Major Systems
There are many systems within a home that help make it function on a day-to-day basis. Things such as the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical are major systems that are important on a home inspection, and the inspector will check these systems to see if there is damage or if upgrades are needed.
Roof
The roof is a major part of the inspection because it is such an integral part of the home. Purchasing a roof is big money, and moving into a home with a stable and well-set roof is important for the well-being of your family.
What Can Buyers and Sellers Expect?
If you are a Buyer...
You can expect to get a home inspection early on in the home buying process. The buyers are usually the ones who pay for the home inspection up front, and are the ones who benefit most from the process. Once you find a home inspector and have the inspection completed, the inspector will notify you of any issues that they see, big or small, and write up an official report for the appraisal. This is a great educational experience for buyers and many people prefer to actually go to the inspection along with the inspector. The inspector will be able to point out problem areas and answer questions you may have about the house itself. Whether you are a new or seasoned home buyer, you will be able to learn more about the home you are purchasing.
Once you receive the report, you could use it to re-negotiate the selling price of the home if there are any large issues that could affect the sale of the home. For instance, if the inspector finds an issue with the electrical and wiring of the home, then that could hinder your plans as a buyer.
If you are a Seller...
There are some sellers who opt to do a full inspection on the home before they list the it for sale, only to make sure everything is up to standards and there will be no surprises down the road. However, you will be legally obligated to disclose anything that the inspection brings up to the potential buyers. So, even if you resolve several issues that were listed on the home inspection report, you still need to disclose that information to the sellers.
All in all, the home inspection process is usually fairly easy, but it can dramatically affect the sale of the home. While you could possibly run into bumps, your Blackhawk Bank Mortgage Planner will be able to help you along the way.
Want to learn more about Blackhawk Bank and how we can help you with the home buying process? Visit our mortgage website or contact us today!