5 home inspection mistakes to avoid

The home inspection process is one of the most important steps in buying a home. As a buyer, you want to know exactly what you’re buying and whether there are additional repairs to be made, even if everything looks good at first glance, to help you figure out additional expenses.

A home inspector examines every aspect of your house, from its structural stability to the life expectancy of the HVAC system, as well as any signs of damage and wear and tear that you likely might have overlooked.

Working with a home inspector will help you decide whether to purchase Winthrop real estate and to anticipate any future challenges. It will also decide whether a sale will push through; if a home inspector finds some serious issues, the seller will have to address them first, and if they don’t agree to shoulder that responsibility, you might want to look for a different house.

For the home inspection process to go smoothly, here are a few mistakes that you should avoid.

1. Not doing research on home inspectors

   It can be tempting to base your choice of home inspector on their rate alone. But you want to go with a certified inspector who has extensive experience and undergoes continuing education in this field. Be sure to check reviews, look at their website, and ask your prospective inspector some basic questions, such as what they check, what they don’t check, how long the inspection is going to take, and how much they charge, among many more.

2. Missing your own inspection

   The home inspector will provide you with a detailed report on their findings, but it’s a good idea to be present so you can also get a closer look at the property and raise any issues. You don’t need to be there throughout the inspection, as it can last several hours. You can be there toward the end, so you can go over any crucial details with the inspector.

3. Getting in the way of the home inspector

   While it’s normal to be present during an inspection and to ask questions, you also want to step back and let the inspector do their job. Refrain from testing any of the appliances and systems, as this could throw off the results. Save your questions for when the inspector is done with their job.

4. Not reading the inspection report

   Even if you attended the inspection personally, you need to carefully read the report once it’s ready. It will contain much more information than what you and the inspector would have discussed the day of the inspection, and it will also highlight critical problems and necessary repairs to be made.

5. Not having the property re-inspected

   After repairs have been completed, you will want to have the property inspected again to make sure that the changes meet standards and have addressed the problems pointed out by the inspector. Any improper repairs will mean additional costs for you down the line.

   Having a home inspected and re-inspected entails additional costs. But when you’re purchasing Methow Valley real estate, or any piece of property elsewhere for that matter, a home inspection is an absolute must to make sure you’re getting the most out of your investment – and that you’re moving into a house in top condition.

If you’re looking to purchase Methow Valley real estate, get in touch with us at Coldwell Banker Winthrop Realty, the top Realtors in the area. Call 509.996.2121 or email info(at)cbwinthrop(dotted)com. You can also send us a message here.