Home Inspections What You Really Need To Know

   You have now spent time driving around the Denver Metro Area with your realtor and you found the home you have been loo king for. Now what?

There are a lot of items that now need to be completed, but one to really focus on is that of the home inspection.   When it comes to the home inspection the process begins with which inspector do I use. Usually the agent that you have been working with will have at least one inspector that they have used in the past, so many people will use that one. However, it is important to note that most inspections will begin with a general inspector, so it is crucial to talk to your agent because the home that you now have under contract in Denver may need an item specifically inspected such as Lead Based Paint or even a structural engineer. When speaking with inspectors note how much they cost. Remember that expensive is not always the best, and either is the cheapest. Do not just go off of price; rather make sure that when consider which home inspector to use note that they have the proper certifications, and speak to them about their experience.

Now I have my inspector…what’s next?

When it comes time to do the home inspection make sure that you attend. As this is one of the largest, if not the largest, investment you will make, a lot of information about the home will gathered during the home inspection.   The inspector will be able to shed insight into potential issues, and also what it will take to remedy those issues.   This is a great time to use the inspector as a resource, so ask questions such as if there is a swamp cooler and a forced air system already in the house, will it be possible to install central air? Typically a home inspection will take a few hours, but it is vital that the buyers attend as they really get to see what the house is made of.

The inspection is done…is there anything else?

Yes! Once you have spoken to the inspector on the inspection day and learned a lot about the house you will get the inspectors full report of the home. This is going to a very extensive report that will evaluate all the items involved in the home including plumbing, HVAC, the wiring, the roof, and any water issues. Remember that most likely your first inspection will be a general one, so if issues arise it would be of value to consider the expert opinion of a specialist. For example if the inspector is in the basement and sees potential issues with the flooring or foundation it would be recommend to speak to a structural engineer to see exactly what would be involved in repairs. When you get the report, do not be overwhelmed. While this is an extensive report, every piece of information in it is valuable so take some time to read through and write down questions if there is anything unclear. Then speak with the inspector about exactly what they meant.    With the report, remember that you’re paying for the inspector to find issues. Embrace their knowledge and use it to figure out what would be the cost of repairs. Speak with your agent to make sure to discuss what you would want the sellers to repair or provide an allowance for at closing.

My Home is New Construction…Do I Really Need an Inspection? Yes! An inspection is an asset for the homebuyer. Even though they usually range from $300-$500, the upfront cost can save you tens of thousands of dollars. Don’t assume that they builder, developer, and contractors did everything right and the home passes code. Even though it is in new, issues can arise and you want your home inspector to help you understand these. Lastly, just because you paid for a home inspection, it is important to remember that a home inspector cannot predict the future. It is important to understand that expectation before going into the inspection process. Keep this in mind when selection your inspector as that is a great transition into talking about the inspector’s experience.

Michael Kane is a Broker Associate at Keller Williams. He is a member of the Carr Peck & Associates team that is recognized locally and nationally as in expert in real estate. Locally he is a member of the Denver Metro Association of Realtors. Nothing brings him more joy than making his client’s dreams become a reality! For more information feel free to contact him or call 303-717-9284.

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