In this article we have Gabor Makula, owner of the Collingwood Home Inspector and the Barrie Home Inspector, discuss the top 5 reasons why you should not purchase your home without a home inspection and some of the common feed back from homeowners he’s worked with.
PEACE OF MIND
A home is one of the largest purchases and investments that is purchased in anyone’s lifetime. You’re buying your home to feel peaceful, comfortable and secure. One of the most important reasons to have a home inspection when buying a home is the peace of mind that it can provide. My customers say that having the home inspection really prepared them for home ownership by reducing the stress that can come with a future discovery of problems with their home. It also gave many couples the confidence that they are making the right choice and that the home is meant to be their home
UNCOVER SAFETY ISSUES
The home inspection is an opportunity to thoroughly investigate the home you’re potentially going to be purchasing. It’s important to understand that a quality home inspector will find some issues with every home, even a newly built home. Some of the issues that are found may not be a big deal while some may be serious safety issues. Some issues such as structural are very costly, up to thousands of dollars can be spent. A home inspection is one way to not only uncover but to avoid such expenses
FORECAST POTENTIAL FUTURE EXPENSES
Buying a home is costly enough, let alone having to spend money on repairs and associated expenses. However, a home inspection can help you budget. It’s important to know what to expect in the future when it comes to expenses. One of my customers discovered that the new hot water tank is defective and need replacement shortly after closing. If a home inspector indicates the roof or furnace is nearing the end of its life expectancy, it’s important you begin to budget for a new roof or furnace. The home inspection is a great tool to help you create a plan for expenses.
PRICE NEGOTIATION
If there are some major problems that are discovered during the inspection, it may be appropriate to renegotiate the terms of the original accepted offer. The findings of the home inspection may warrant a reduction or a concession. You can also use the findings to request that the homeowner carry out repairs. The homeowner can agree or disagree but at least a home inspection opens this window of opportunity.
PROVIDES AN “OUT”
There are some circumstances where a buyer does not feel comfortable with the findings from the home inspection and will not proceed with the transaction, no matter what concessions and repairs are offered from the seller. A home inspection that reduces your confidence in buying the home is a way out of any further negotiations on the property if you so desire, which is another reason for having a home inspection. While it is rare that a buyer gets “cold feet” after an inspection, it does happen.
Final takeaways
As the home inspector, I do find myself often taking the time to have the discussion with my customers after the home inspection to give them additional color on what defects may not be a big deal or can be fixed, versus what defects may potentially be a deal breaker. Having a trusted inspector is so important, because no house is ever in pristine condition. Weighing the results of a home inspection properly is important because it will also prevent you from walking away from a home that may actually be a great deal for you.
