Do I need a home inspection when I buy a house?

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Do I need a home inspection when I buy a house?

When you buy a house, a professional home inspection is a very smart idea. In fact, it should be considered a crucial step in the home buying process. It may seem like just another expense in an already very expensive process, but a home inspection can reveal some pretty serious issues that will cost you a lot more in unwanted surprises down the road.

Knowing what to expect from the house, both inside and out, will help you make a more informed decision about whether the home is worth purchasing, it’s overall value and any future upkeep you’ll be responsible for. Read on to learn more about pre-purchase home inspections.

Process of a Home Inspection

When a home inspector looks over the home you are interested in buying, they’ll look over the structure from the top to bottom. They will inspect the home’s exterior including the foundation, roof, garage and grading as well as the interior including electrical and plumbing systems, heating and cooling systems, walls ceilings, floors, basement, windows and doors. The inspection will help you determine the condition of the house and of it’s mechanical systems. Learn how to perform a house inspection.

The home inspector will provide a report that will state the possible issues with the home, but also the positive aspects of the property as well. Your inspection will reveal whether each problem is a safety issue, major or minor defect. It will also tell you what things will need to be repair or replaced and what things you can leave for now but might require attention in the future. The report will be very detailed and will include photos, but it is still a good idea for you to be present during the home inspection. If you are in attendance, they will be able to show you any defects, explain possible solutions and answer any questions you may have simply and directly.

Home Inspections Help You Make Informed Buying Decisions

Chances are, purchasing a home will be the biggest financial decision you’ll ever make. You want to make sure you know what you are getting into!

After the inspection it’s up to you to decide whether the problems found are too significant or expensive to fix and whether you want to proceed with the purchase or, you’ve included the results of a home inspection in the conditions of your offer, walk away. It’s also good to know that for some issues you can ask the seller to fix, ask them to lower the asking price or to give you a cash credit to fix the problems yourself when the deal closes. This can help you save money and makes up for the initial cost of the inspection. An inspection will also help you come up with a maintenance plan for your new home if you decide to close the deal.

Home Inspections in Edmonton

A home inspection will cost you a little bit of time and money upfront, but it is more than worth it. You want to know exactly what you’re getting into, how much money it will cost you in the near future and whether or not your new home is safe. A professional home inspection should be considered just another necessary step in the home buying process.