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Five Things You Should Know About Home Inspections

If you’re hiring someone to inspect the home you want to buy or rent, or you’re a seller trying to find out if there are any hidden problems that need fixing before you put your home on the market, here are five things you need to know:

1. Don’t let your agent decide, you can choose your home inspector.

Your real estate agent can give you a list of recommended inspectors, or you can find one on your own.

2. Inspections are intended to point out unfavorable conditions, not aesthetic flaws.

You should attend the inspection and follow the inspector throughout the inspection so you can learn what’s important and what’s not. No home is perfect and an inspection on any home is bound to uncover liabilities. An inspector will point out conditions that need repair and/or potential liability related concerns relating to the home. They won’t comment on aesthetic items if they don’t impair the integrity of the home.

3. Inspection reports include only the basics.

An inspector considers hundreds of items during an inspection. The inspection should include the home’s exterior, steps, porches, decks, chimneys, roof, windows, and doors. Inside, they will look at attics, electrical components, plumbing, central heating and air conditioning, basement/crawlspaces, and garages.

They report on the working order of items such as plumbing fixtures to see if they leak, or garage doors to see if they close properly. Inspectors should point out termite damage if detected and suggest that you get a separate pest inspection. The final written report should be concise and easy to understand.

4. Inspectors work for the party who is paying the fee.

Inspectors act as an unbiased third party to the real estate transaction and “will discharge the Inspector’s duties with integrity and fidelity to the client.” A reputable inspector will not conduct a home inspection or prepare a home inspection report if his or her fee is contingent on untruthful conclusions.

The inspector should maintain client confidentiality and keep all report findings private unless required by court order. That means it is your choice whether or not to share the report with others. In Texas, if you’re a seller, you need to disclose the inspection in the “Seller Disclosure Notice”, and must disclose any failure in the systems or integrity of the home.

5. Inspectors are not accountable for the condition of the home.

Inspectors don’t go behind walls or under flooring, so it’s possible that a serious problem can be overlooked. Keep in mind that inspectors are not a party to the sales transaction, so if you buy a home where an expensive problem surfaces after the sale, you won’t be able to make the inspector liable or get the inspector to pay for the damage. In fact, you may not be entitled to any compensation beyond the cost of the inspection.

As a buyer, you need the inspection to decide if the property is in a condition that you can stomach. You can use the report to show the seller the need for a certain repair or negotiate a better price. You can also take the report to a contractor and use it to make repairs or to remodel a section of the home.

One thing you should not do when buying a home is skip having the home inspected because of cost or undue pressure by the seller. A home inspection is reasonable, it can save you money in the long run, and it’s required by many lenders, particularly for FHA loans. There’s a reason why buyers should beware, and a home inspection gives you the information you need to make a sound buying decision.