Getting the Most Out of a Home Inspection Process

The inspection is one of the most important stages of buying a property. Without it, you can easily buy a defective property that will cost you an arm and a leg to rehabilitate – and all that at an expensive price. That's why you need to be an active participant during your home inspection. Here are three tips to help you derive maximum benefits from the home inspection process:

Be Present

Don't sit at home and wait for the inspection report to be delivered to you. You can, and you should be, present during the inspection process. This way, the home inspector can point out any defects to you and you will have a better grasp of them than you would if you just read about them in the final report. You also get to ask any questions you may have and get them answered in real time. However, limit your questions to the essential ones so that you don't get in the way of the inspector's work.

Ensure the Utilities Are Turned On

The best home inspection is done with the utilities turned on. The water should be flowing, electric power should be present in all rooms, and the fuel lines should be connected. This way the home inspector can tell if there is any problem with any of the systems.

However, the utilities might be turned off if the house you are buying is currently vacant. If you are present, you can talk with the seller so that the utilities can be turned on. In fact, if the house is under foreclosure, it may be up to you (if the owner is away or can't afford the utilities) to ensure that the utilities are turned on.

Ensure Maximum Access to the House

Lastly, you also need to ensure that the inspector has access to all areas of the house. If you don't do that, some parts of the house may not be thoroughly evaluated, and you may have to make your purchase assessment based on a half-baked inspection report. Therefore, ensure that all the doors and closets are unlocked, the attic is accessible, and all the rooms are well lit.

With the above precautions observed, you will get a comprehensive inspection report to help you make the purchase decision or negotiate a lower purchase price. Your real estate agent can help you with the negotiations should you decide to proceed with the purchase after the inspection.


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