Do I Need To Be There For The Inspection?
After hearing that your home inspection may take 2 to 4 hours, you may be inclined to just show up after the inspection is over. Although inspections take some time, depending on the home’s square footage, you are at a disadvantage if you do not attend the entire process. Going over the home from top to bottom allows you to learn more about the property and its potential problems.
Ask Questions
Allow the inspector to perform the entire inspection without interruption. Constantly asking questions during an inspection distracts the inspector and possibly impedes the process. Instead, hold all of your questions until after the inspection. You can look around the property and make your own notes about concerns. Take pictures to show the inspector after the inspection to verify any issues.
Spend Time In All The Rooms
Up until this point, you have probably spent a grand total of 20 minutes on the property. Take some time and visit each room. If possible, sit down and listen to outside noise or internal sounds, such as running water or creaking floor boards. Use this quiet time to determine if there are any hidden issues you want to bring up with the inspector.
Measurement Time
If you are planing extensive renovations after purchasing the property, ask painters and flooring professionals to visit the home during the inspection. While the inspector is in another room, professionals can make their own measurements for future repairs or alterations. Do not allow them to change or mark any areas, however. The property is not in your name yet.
Evaluate The Report Carefully
When the inspection is finished, go over the report with the inspector. Ask any questions you have been concerned about, even ones that came up when discussing the property with the realtor. Add any personal observations and look at specific areas that may be questionable. Ask the inspector about shut-off valves for gas and water. Take a quick walk around the property to pinpoint problem areas. Clarifying any issues in the report is critical for a successful sale.
The inspector is the only party with an unbiased view of the property. Ask pertinent questions about maintenance, such as homes with hardwood floors or specialized heating systems. Hidden costs may be apparent to the inspector, but not to you. Being absent for a home inspection makes you vulnerable to expensive repairs in the future. Attend the entire inspection to completely understand your new investment.
