7 Reasons Why You Need to Hire a Home Inspector Before Buying a House

If you are in the market to purchasing a home in Central Florida do not get blind-sided by the aesthetic appeal such as the picture-perfect exterior and immaculate looking landscaping. Before jumping the gun and setting your heart into a specific home it would be in your best interest to do your homework on the house before signing on any dotted lines. To get an accurate report on the home in question a professional home inspector should be hired because walking around the home yourself will not give you the in-depth report a home inspector will provide. If you think that a home inspection is just another unnecessary expense you are wrong. Here are 7 reasons why you need to hire a professional home inspector before buying:

1 — Do not proceed at your own risk.

Without a proper home inspection, you will be basically proceeding at your own risk. Just because the listing photos and description sounds amazing and the home looks just as good in person, it does not necessarily mean the home’s major systems are up-to-date and in good working condition.

2 — Due diligence is essential.

Purchasing a home is a major investment and a life-changer. Don’t naively go into the home buying process without using due diligence to confirm whether or not the home is what you really want. A residential home inspector will take the proper steps to get you the information that you need regarding the quality of the home’s exterior, structure, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, as well other concerns such as termites, mold, or radon. There are too many risks involved in buying a home that should not be overlooked and oftentimes it can only be detected by an experienced home inspector.

3 — It will save you money in the long run.

Buying a home is expensive enough which is why some people will pass on a pre-home inspection because they think it’s just a waste of money that can go towards their new home. Many home buyers quickly learn that it was a mistake and they should have chosen the safe route and hired a professional home inspector before buying their home. Most buyers are not trained, experienced, or have a strong understanding of the construction and system functions of a home and if not careful they can end up spending hundreds to thousands of dollars on unforeseen repairs. New homeowners may find themselves spending more than they expected due to the house’s bad plumbing system or leaks, old roofing, inefficient HVAC system, or molded drywall.

4 — You and your family’s safety is a priority.

A home should be a place where you and your family can create wonderful memories while feeling safe and secure, but if you buy a house that’s filled with damages and dangers you will just be experiencing stress and headaches. Don’t gamble you and your family’s quality of living by purchasing a home without a thorough inspection completed by a licensed home inspector. Because once you sign the home’s purchase agreement and you find out months later that the roof has several leaks and the attic has mold, the previous owner has no obligation to finance the repairs. You will have no recourse and will be accountable for the repairs.

5 — Reduce the home-buying risk.

A home inspector will give you a detailed report as well as verbally explain to you his findings. This will help reduce the risk of buying a certain home as well as give you negotiating powers. If the home needs repairs you can ask the seller to lower the asking price or ask them to make all needed repairs before closing. The home inspector will provide you a summary on the overall quality of the home giving you a better understanding, increase buying confidence,  and the leverage for negotiating.

6 — ROI of a home inspection.

Yes, a professional home inspection is not cheap, but it also isn’t extravagantly expensive either. An efficient, reliable, knowledgeable, and experienced professional home inspector has received proper training, certifications, and licensure in order to perform inspections. You cannot receive a professional home inspection by an amateur because they do not know what to look out for. The few dollars you spend on hiring a home inspector is a mere fraction compared to the large amounts you might end up paying for costly repairs that you were not aware of prior to buying. The ROI of a home inspection is peace of mind, home buying confidence, and prevents you from buying a bad quality home – saving you a small fortune.

7 — It is in your best interest.

A home inspector will look out for your best interest. He will inspect the home’s visible and accessible areas in order to point out any health and safety problems, both positive and negative conditions of the property, as well as areas of concerns that needs immediate attention. A professional and experienced home inspector will be honest about the condition of the home and the overall home quality. He will not sugar-coat anything especially if there are damages. A home inspector will be upfront and honest no matter how much you love and want the house. In the end, it is up to you whether or not you want to proceed in buying the home after you receive the complete home inspection report.