When you buy a house, you may see the home inspection as just another unnecessary fee. The truth is that home inspection can end up saving you far more in the long run than the fee you paid the inspector. Take a look at just some of the reasons why home inspections are so important.
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House inspections cover safety issues.
When you move your family into a new home, you want to make sure it’s safe as possible. Breathing in mold because of a leaky pipe, faulty electrical wiring that can lead to a fire, or a rotting floorboard that is infested with termites can turn into major hazards for you and the home’s other occupants.
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They also cover structural damage.
Houses are expensive, and most new homeowners don’t want to spend tens of thousands of dollars on major repairs once they make the purchase. Structural repairs are some of the most expensive costs associated with a house, so finding out they are necessary after you already signed on the dotted line can set you way back financially.
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You can get an idea as to how old parts of the house are.
The seller isn’t exactly sure how many years ago he put that new roof on the house. It could be 5; it could be 20. The agent has no idea how old the hot water heater or the HVAC system is. An inspection can tell you exactly when they replaced items like the septic tank and when you may need to again.
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Home inspections can help negotiations along.
If the inspector finds some repairs that the home needs, you might can get the seller to knock a few dollars off the price or even have the seller make the repairs him or herself as part of the contract negotiations.
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Inspections prepare you for the future.
If the inspector finds only minor problems or problems that might need to be fixed in the not too distant future, you may still want to buy the house. However, knowing that you have some repairs and maintenance down the road allow you to take time to research and budget for them instead of letting them surprise you.
If you are interested in buying a new home, contact Atlanta Fine Homes | Sotheby’s International Realty at 404-237-5000.