When buying a property, the home inspection is a crucial part of the transaction. While you may be sold on new countertops and carpeting, the foundation and less-visible parts of the home could be in disrepair. Follow these five tips for insights you can use as you go through the home inspection process in Minnesota or western Wisconsin.
1. Every home needs to be inspected
There’s no such thing as a home “too new” for an inspection. While you’d likely never buy a south Minneapolis bungalow without getting it inspected, you should also get a home inspection if you’re purchasing a newly built home in Woodbury. Defects and damage can occur during the homebuilding process just as they can over decades of wear and tear.
2. Hire a professional
Your REALTOR® should have a preferred professional inspector that he or she recommends when buying a home in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Hiring a reputable inspector is critical, even if the cost of service is a bit higher. Before you hire, ask to see your inspector’s credentials and for testimonials of happy homebuyer clients. You may also want to ask in advance what the report will look like, and how long the inspector typically spends performing the inspection and explaining the full report to clients.
3. Never miss the inspection
Homebuyers and their Realtor should make every effort to attend the inspection so they can ask questions and see every nook, cranny and system up close during this deep-dive of the property. Bring a notebook with so you can take notes during the inspection. If the inspector mentions something, but doesn’t fully explain it, jot it down and ask them to give you more insights after the inspection is complete. Remember, this house will likely be your biggest investment, so there is truly no such thing as a stupid question during the inspection process.
4. Pay attention to the quirks
An inspection is a great time to learn about how the house operates. The inspector can explain everything from a tankless water heater to a home’s built-in vacuum system, so it’s a great time to take in all that knowledge from a professional. It’s also common for buyers to notice some of the quirks they glossed over during the initial tour, such as a light switch that doesn’t seem to turn anything on or a faucet knob that turns the wrong way to generate hot water.
5. Review the inspection report
Once the inspection is complete, review it in full with your Realtor and the inspector. Ask the inspector to quantify any damage or defects so you can determine easy repairs, expensive repairs and any issues that should have you rethinking the home purchase.
If you are buying the home contingent on the inspection, this is also the point where you determine any fixes you will request of the seller before removing the contingency. Your Realtor will be a great resource who can recommend the repairs you should request, and the ones you should tackle yourself once you buy the house and move in.
Ready to get started?
You won’t need an inspection until you’ve found your dream home. To get started on this process, get connected with a local Realtor who can offer insights and guidance throughout the home buying process. Call, chat or email today to find the agent who’s right for you.
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