Is the home inspection worth the hassle prior to purchasing your next home?

Before taking ownership of a new home, it’s common practice to have a home inspection. A home inspection is routine to help discover any issues – big or little—with the home.  

While the potential buyer will pay an inspection fee, the cost may be minimal compared to repair fees if an issue goes undisclosed until move-in.  

Is the fee and hassle worth it? What if the home inspection reveals an issue that means you must pass up your home loan? Or, what if only a few minor or repairable issues are found, can you negotiate for a better purchase price?  

First, let’s talk about some of the issues that are noted in an inspection. 

Minor Issues

• Broken Shingles 
• Pest Infestations Issues 
• Small Cracks in Cement Areas 
• Loose Light Fixtures 

Minor issues mean minor repairs. While these issues might be a nuisance to deal with, they shouldn’t make or break your home purchase decision. These are updates that can be easily fixed after closing day.  

Major Issues

Cosmetic issues can be easy to fix and aren’t detrimental to your everyday life. But when it comes to your safety, those repairs are vital to be noted BEFORE purchasing a home.   

• Faulty Wiring 
• Old or Damaged Roofing 
• Grading/Drainage Issues 
• Outdated Heating/Cooling 
• Plumbing Problems 
• Structural Issues  
  

These home issues are not only important to be brought to attention for potential safety hazards, but also repair costs. Most major home safety concerns are expensive repairs. This is where negotiation comes in.  

Negotiations 

When it comes to issues brought to attention by the home inspection, who is responsible for repairs? This is where negotiations come into play. 

It’s important to note that there is absolutely no obligation to the seller to complete or pay for any of the wanted/needed repairs to the home. However, sellers may be willing to do avoid delays in selling the home.  

If a seller isn’t willing to pay any repairs or updates, aim to negotiate on pricing. For example, simply remove the estimate amount for a specific repair from the offer price. 

Again, the seller is not obligated to make any repairs or accept negotiations, but it’s always worth a shot! 

Remember, while you CAN opt out of completing a home inspection, it is not always the best choice. “It is much easier to pay for an inspection than to find out down the road there is a major issue that might costs more than what someone can afford,” Hillari Gawron-Proffitt, a Mortgage Consultant with The Mortgage Team, recommends.  

Not everything is noticeable during an open house walk-thru. An expert can help provide some peace of mind about your potential new home and avoid some surprise costly repairs. 

Be sure you are working with a trusted team of a Real Estate Agent and Mortgage Consultant throughout the process. If you haven’t started the process, reach out to one of our Mortgage Consultants today!