The crawl space shown in the photo, I must admit, was probably one of the most challenging crawlspaces I have ever been in. It was difficult because there were pipes, ducts, abandoned belongings, falling insulation, and wet areas to navigate around. Plus, many areas were simply blocked. I spent over an hour in this crawlspace because I needed to give my clients a good picture of what was going on in this confined space that they were unlikely to visit themselves. What I found was that with great certainty, any future repairs in this location would most likely be expensive. Of the many issues I discovered, abandoned ducts from a previous HVAC contractor was interesting. I guessed leaving the remnants behind was their way to cut down on costs.
This example is just one of many showing why home inspections are so important. Waiving a home inspection can cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Even though they’re not required for a mortgage, they can show important information about the condition of the property. Many homes look nice on the outside, but on the inside, they’re hiding nasty secrets that could lead to costly repairs. Flip homes can be particularly tricky.
Home inspections are easy to have done; the inspector checks all of the systems like the electrical, HVAC, and plumbing, along with the attic, foundation, and much more checking for potential issues. They’ll also give the appliances like the washer and dryer, stove, and water heater a good look-over to make sure they’re running correctly. This short inspection can save you thousands down the road.
The Importance of a Home Inspection
Purchasing a home is an emotional process, and it can be especially challenging in the competitive housing market. While it can be tempting to forgo a home inspection to help improve your chances of scoring the home of your dreams, doing so would be one of the worst decisions you could make.
No matter how great the property looks, you never know what problems are hiding out of sight. There’s dangerous issues like asbestos that you would never suspect or leaks in your HVAC system that could cost you thousands in repairs. Another common issue is termite or insect damage, which is often hidden from sight but can cause massive damage if left untreated.
While it’s easy to get caught up in the emotions of buying a home, you don’t want to let it cloud your thinking. A home inspection will reveal issues you may not have known were there, letting you back out of the sale or negotiate with the seller to make the necessary fixes.
Another thing to consider is that you’re liable for covering the financial responsibility of home repairs if you don’t agree to a home inspection contingency. This contingency is a lifesaver if your inspector finds significant issues with the property. The sad fact is that unforeseen problems are all too common when it comes to house buying, so investing in a home inspection is a crucial step you can’t afford to miss.
Choosing A Good Home Inspector
There’s no doubt that getting a home inspection is an essential step in the home buying process. It shouldn’t be taken lightly, as it could very well end up saving you a lot of money or alerting you to serious issues that the seller must address before moving forward with selling the property. Before you hire just any inspector though, it’s important that you make sure that they are professionals, and certified.
When looking for a good home inspector, choose someone who has experience with the type of property you’re interested in purchasing. There’s different types of inspections, like a full home inspection or just a specific area like the roof or plumbing. You’ll want to ensure the inspector you hire is qualified to do the type of inspection you need.
It’s also important to check for reviews or testimonials from previous clients. These will give you a good idea of what to expect from the inspector and whether or not they do a thorough job. Finally, make sure you understand exactly what’s included in the inspection report so that you know what to expect after the inspection is complete.
Above All Else Inspections is the highest rated Home Inspection in this 3-state region; we are proud to offer professional home inspections you can trust. Our team is ready to help you protect your investment with the expertise you need and the experience you can trust. Contact us at (479) 381-1878 today!
