Buying a home is a huge investment. You want to protect yourself and make sure the property you’re interested in is a good value. A pre-sale home inspection helps you do this. By hiring a third-party inspector, any potential safety or health hazards, code violations, or structural damage will be identified.

What is a home inspection?

A pre-sale home inspection is an assessment of a home’s physical condition. It’s highly recommended that you walk through the house with the inspector. They’ll immediately point out anything needing attention, and you can ask them questions about any concerns you have.

During a pre-sale home inspection, they’ll look at several areas of the house. This includes structural systems, roofing, electrical systems, and plumbing. The inspector will check the HVAC system and any fireplaces the home may have too. They’ll look at the attic’s insulation and ventilation, and they’ll ensure that there are no leaks, movement, or cracks in basements or crawlspaces.

After the inspection, you’ll be given a written report. It may include estimates of how much any necessary repairs will cost. It won’t state whether or not you should buy the house, but it can be used as a very useful guide in determining this.

Why would you need one?

An inspection gives you leverage when negotiating the selling price of a home. If it’s going to cost you a lot to make repairs, you’ll change your mind about what a fair price is. This allows you to ask the seller to lower the price and/or gives you an opportunity to be ahead of a faulty property.

A home inspection provides peace of mind, especially if you’re unsure about making such a big investment. You’ll be able to purchase the home while knowing that all of the important features are in good shape and will last a while.

A pre-sale home inspection is a smart move financially. You’ll know exactly what you’re getting into and know how much additional money you’ll need to take care of any issues.

You could also negotiate any repairs before the deal closes. If the inspection indicates any problems, you can ask the seller to fix them before you close.

Most importantly, you’ll have realistic expectations about the house you’re buying and the amount of work it requires.

Is one required?

Nothing says a pre-sale home inspection has to be done, but if you’re interested in buying a house, it’s a good idea. A home can look beautiful while hiding several major problems and you do not want to purchase a house with major liability issues.

You don’t have to have an inspection to apply for a mortgage either, but if your lender insists on one, you can’t refuse. Your real estate agent may recommend one regardless, especially if they are concerned that the seller won’t make necessary repairs otherwise.

Buying a home is an investment, and you want to be smart about it. Make a pre-sale home inspection your first step in the buying process to ensure an intelligent financial decision.