Why You Shouldn’t Skip a Home Inspection

If there’s one thing we always emphasize when buying a house, that’s a home inspection. It is NON-NEGOTIABLE. In our years of buying homes for cash, we realized that there are some things that we cannot figure out. Is that black stain mold? Does the wooden joist appear wobbly? Who knows these things?!

That’s where the home inspection comes in. A home inspector is trained and qualified to find potential problems and can help you save thousands of dollars in unforeseen costs.

You may be on the fence about whether you should get a home inspection before buying a property. Asking, “Why get an inspection?” is a normal question many homebuyers ponder, particularly millennial buyers and first-time buyers.

However, there are many benefits to getting a home inspection. While the cost of a home inspection is in the hundreds, it can save potentially thousands in the future. Keep reading to learn why to undertake a home inspection when buying a property.

What is a Home Inspection?

A home inspector is an expert in assessing properties and finding hidden issues. They are also your trusted advocate when it comes to getting an objective overview of the property’s condition. When you hire a home inspector, you’re hiring a qualified expert to inspect your home from top to bottom.

They’re there to ensure that your home isn’t hiding any secrets behind the walls, underneath the flooring, or beneath the surface.

In Texas, for example, a licensed inspector is required to complete 90 hours of coursework, complete 25 inspections under the supervision of a qualified inspector, and have three months of experience as an apprentice inspector. All of this to say, when you hire an inspector, you’re getting a qualified individual who knows what they’re looking for when they’re going through a house.

Provided you work with an experienced and qualified individual, you’ll be getting an advocate for you. Your inspector will advise you on what needs to be done (by the sellers) for the property to pass the inspection, and therefore be safe and livable.

Because you hired the inspector, they are working for you and are looking out for your best interest. Sellers usually want to sell their home quickly and might forget to disclose an issue (if they even know about it themselves). But an inspector knows what they’re looking for, protecting you from anything that may be dangerous or costly to fix.

Why Get a Home Inspection?

I am going to straight out tell you why you need a home inspection. There is no other way around it.

1. Inspections are Inexpensive

Buying a home is one of the most significant expenses for the average American. When buying a property, you have to pay the cost of the property (or the deposit), closing costs, insurance premiums, solicitor fees, and taxes. All these costs add up and can make homebuying very expensive upfront.

So it’s easy to see why a homebuyer might want to save money by skipping the inspection. However, it’s not as expensive as you might think. Home inspections typically run between $200 $500, depending on the size of the house (according to HomeCity). That may seem like a lot, but remember, it’s a one-time fee, and what you get in return is entirely worth it.

Don’t think of it as an expense, but instead as an investment in your soon-to-be new home. It’s also worth noting that even some inspectors offer discounts. For example, if you’re a first-time buyer, a military personnel, or have been referred by a friend.

2. Detail Everything About the Property

When you visit a property that’s listed for sale, you usually have around 15 to 30 minutes to walk through it. During this time, people tend to visualize the aesthetics.

Chances are, you won’t have time to consider whether the air conditioner is working as required before making an offer. So, a home inspection gives you the details of everything you need to know about the property. In essence, your home inspector becomes your eyes and ears.

They can assess everything about the property so you know how it works (and how well it works) inside and out. For example, whether the insulation is in good condition, whether the air conditioning works properly, the electrical system, and the condition of the foundation.

3. Peace of Mind

Above anything else, you get peace of mind when you pay for a home inspection on a property before buying. When you’re buying a new home, there will always be things that you’re not aware of and can’t see. However, if the home inspector offers a thumbs-up, you know the house is up for grabs.

Just remember, there are instances in which a home inspector might miss something, or your air conditioner fails after you close on the property. These things happen, and there often isn’t much you can do about them.

Should You Get a Home Inspection?

YES! I cannot stress this enough. As a homebuying company, this is something we learnt the hard way. In our early days, Jon and I skipped the inspection on a property. We purchased the property, and the horror started after the papers were signed. There were leaks, damage, and issues to the foundation. Now there was no backing out.

And you may have realized how the story goes. We ended up paying more than what we would have earned flipping the house. My humble request is DO NOT skip the home inspection.