I’m giving you an inside scoop on what to expect during the home inspection! Buying your first home can feel overwhelming if you’re not prepared for what to expect! The home inspection might seem scary but it doesn’t have to be! It’s actually in place to protect you as the buyer so that you can learn all about the house and discover any possible major issues before it becomes YOURS! I’m sharing what you need to know in today’s Q&A style video!

Q: Will the home inspector inspect EVERY feature of the home?

• The home inspector must inspect certain features required by state law and may inspect additional components and features at his or her discretion.

• If they see something they think should be further evaluated by a specific licensed professional, they will include that information in the home inspection report. You will then have the opportunity to contact a licensed professional who specializes in that area to further inspect the issue. Note: This is going to be for major repairs such as foundation issues, electrical issues, roof, mold, etc.

Q: Can I ask the Home Inspector to look at specific components and items?

• Yes, as the home inspector’s client, you may request that they inspect specific components and items as long as they are readily accessible and not beyond the scope of the inspection.

• You can also include specific items to be inspected as part of your offer to purchase. For example, if the home has a pool, you can include in your offer that you want a pool inspection. You would then have to arrange for a pool inspector to do the inspection separately from the home inspection.

Q: May all of the problem areas mentioned in the Home Inspector’s report be listed as “Notice of Defects” for the offer to purchase?

• No, the home inspection report will look at property conditions in a general fashion and may list many property conditions that are not serious enough to fit the definition of a defect in the inspection contingency.

Q: What does the home inspector include in the Home Inspection Report?

• In the Offer to Purchase, a buyer must evaluate whether there are any defects listed in the Home Inspection Report to which the buyer objects and which the buyer wants the seller to fix before the buyer will move forward with the purchase of the property.

• A defect is defined as a structural, mechanical or other condition that would have a significant, adverse effect on the value of the property, significantly impair the health or safety of future occupants, or it not repaired, removed, or replaced, significantly shorter or have a significant adverse effect on the expected normal life to the entire property.

Q: Should I always give a notice of defects?

• This decision is made on a case-by-case basis, depending upon the circumstance and what is best for you. I will help explain the pros and cons of giving a notice of defects and when it may be necessary to do so. Things to

Remember:

• No home is perfect. Not even a brand new home. Your Home Inspection Report will have repairs you may need to take care of or maintenance items that you need to be aware of after purchasing the home.

• Remember that negotiations are just part of the deal. If there are items you want to address with the seller as part of the Home Inspection Contingency, understand that this isn’t black and white. Both sides may need to compromise in order to keep the offer together and move forward. Make sure you attend your home inspection and ask the home inspector any questions that you have along the way. This will help to prevent overwhelm and determine what to focus on and prioritize.

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode. If you want to learn more about what I can do as your buyer’s agent to help you make smart real estate decisions, let’s set up a coffee date! (Your favorite coffee will be on me!) If you want to learn more about the home buying process, I have a FREE guide on how to have a stress free real estate transaction! Just tell me if you’d like a copy and I’ll send it over!