Benefits Of A Home Inspection

Considering the rise in real estate prices, buying a home is probably the most significant investment you’ll make in your life. This is why it’s important to fully understand the property’s condition before putting your signature on the dotted line. 

Fortunately, you don’t need to check the condition of the home on your own as you can rely on a professional inspector to do it for you. 

There are plenty of benefits of a home inspection that make it an essential step in all real estate purchases. Aside from buyers learning about the home’s value, maintenance needs, and safety hazards, sellers can also use a home inspection to uncover information on which issues to resolve before listing the property.

So, let’s answer the question of should you get a home inspection in all circumstances, and provide you with a list of top home inspection pros you get for your money.

What is a home inspection?

A home inspection is a visual evaluation of a home’s interior and exterior. The main purpose of this service is to identify physical defects, check the condition of the main systems and appliances, and assess any safety concerns. 

For most average-sized homes, inspections take between two and three hours, during which the inspector will check each room of the home. 

It’s necessary to give extra attention to structural elements like the roof, foundation, doors, and windows, but also test the functionality of the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. 

The inspector will note down any findings in a comprehensive report that includes instances of visible damage, code violation, wear and tear on the systems, and risks that require immediate attention. The report may also include recommendations and quotes on fixing minor flaws.

So, should you get a home inspection?

Since it determines if the home is structurally sound and if everything is working properly, a home inspection is the only way to make an informed decision on the purchase of a property.

Key benefits of a home inspection

In case you’re still not convinced if you should pay money to have a property inspected, some of the following home inspection pros will change your mind:

1. Helps you decide whether you should back out 

You may think that you have a legal or moral obligation to buy a home after starting the sales process, but you can actually back out at any time. 

A home inspection plays a key role here as it provides you with insights into potential costs, maintenance, and repairs the home will require immediately and in the future. If you’re uncomfortable with any of the findings, you can use them as an out before signing any documents. 

2. Uncover safety issues

Although not a part of the main home inspection, many professionals also schedule radon, carbon monoxide, and mold testing. This helps you detect safety issues that can not only minimize the property value but also cause significant health problems for the occupants. 

3. Discover the presence of illegal additions

One of the biggest benefits of a home inspection is the fact they can reveal if rooms, basements, garage areas, or other additions were built without a proper permit or weren’t built up to code. 

You should never stay silent about this. Illegal additions can affect the home’s value, but also insurance-related matters, taxes, and usability. A similar thing applies to structural features or systems that weren’t installed up to code. In almost all cases, addressing these issues will become your responsibility. 

4. Gain leverage in negotiations

A home inspection presents you the unique opportunity to ask the seller to reduce the price, give you a credit, or make repairs. We recommend the first option as it allows you to make the repairs on your terms. 

5. Anticipate future costs

One of the most substantial home inspection pros is its ability to approximate the age of the major systems and critical equipment. An inspector is qualified to ascertain their current condition and tell you how long they’ve been in use. As most components have a finite lifespan, understanding when these features will need to be replaced can help you budget for future repairs and decide on the most appropriate type of insurance coverage. 

6. Figure out your deal breakers

Since a visit from a qualified inspector helps identify how much money you’ll have to put in to bring the home to an acceptable condition, you can use this as an opportunity to decide whether any issues are deal breakers. In other words, you can make an informed decision on whether you want to make repairs or if finding a more fitting home is a much simpler option. 

7. Get the big picture

Most people lack nuance when it comes to purchasing a home. This is completely understandable because the majority of American citizens only purchase one home during their lifetime. 

Sadly, many fall in love with a home based on its location and superficial things like the fresh coat of paint, while being oblivious to the issues lurking beneath the surface. 

In this regard, a home inspection helps potential homeowners get the big picture of the property, which is likely the most substantial purchase they’ll ever make. 

8. Protect your investment

Because a full home evaluation helps you avoid purchasing a money pit, or at the least, adjust the price of the purchase to account for the repairs, it’s a small investment that can help you save thousands of dollars later down the road. 

Make all the right decisions

A home inspection helps buyers and sellers make real estate decisions with full confidence in the property’s condition. As a buyer, especially, the benefits of a home inspection are hard to ignore when you consider you may not get a do-over in purchasing a home.

Hiring an inspector simply ensures that you’re making an informed decision and buying a home worth the price that will serve your family for many years to come. 

When in doubt, reach out to Guardian Angel Inspections. As an inspection company that has been at the forefront of the inspection industry in Palm Beach County for close to a decade, we have the expertise you need to adequately evaluate a home. Ask your real estate agent about a prospective service, and chances are they’ve probably heard of us as we’ve been named the best inspection company by the largest realtor organization in the county. 

Make the right real estate decisions - call us at 561-512-7854 or fill out our contact form to book an inspection.