The Ins and Outs of Inspections
Inspections are a topic that I get lots of questions about, so today we are breaking them down!
Q: When should we do an inspection?
A: Often clients will ask me if we should do an inspection before writing an offer on a property, but the right time to do an inspection is when we are already under contract and during the Option Period. The Option Period is a negotiable number of days that begins the day after a contract is executed. The Option Period is our time to get to know the house better and look more deeply into its structure and systems. There’s always more to a house than meets eye, and inspection helps us to see beneath the surface (literally for houses with a crawlspace).
Q: Why should I do an inspection?
During the Option Period, a buyer can terminate a contract and only lose out on their option money. On the flip side, I renegotiate the contract for you during the Option Period. This is our time to do our due diligence and figure out what needs to be repaired and how those repairs are going to be completed. Based on an inspection, we can ask the seller to make repairs or we can negotiate a credit.
Q: What does an inspector look for?
A: An inspector will do their best to check the house from top to bottom and from left to right. They will be able to tell us if something is not right and requires further investigation. It is not uncommon for an inspector to recommend that a licensed professional checks out something that they find. Some of the main areas that inspectors check are:
1) The roof
2) The foundation
3) The HVAC
4) Plumbing systems
5) Electrical systems
Additionally, inspectors will check appliances, floors, walls, ceilings, windows, chimneys and much more!
Q: How much does it cost and who pays for it?
A: The cost of an inspection is the responsibility of a buyer. Inspections in our area are often in the $600-$800 range and depending on size of the home this can fluctuate.
