I try to make it a point to help all of my buyer clients understand how the home inspection process works. This blog post will give you a broad overview of what happens during the home inspection process and the negotiation period afterward.
A home inspector’s job is to provide you with a firm understanding of the physical condition of practically every aspect of the property you’re purchasing. As such, it’s important to hire a skilled home inspector. Some of my clients find their home inspectors through the referrals of friends and family, but if you ever need recommendations, I can provide you with a list of great inspectors that my clients have used.
I advise all of my buyer clients to attend their inspection, and I urge them to follow their home inspector around and to use the time to learn about the property’s infrastructure, systems, and appliances. You’re paying for this time, and it’s a good idea to use the inspection as a chance to acquire as much knowledge about the property as possible.
There’s an old saying among home inspectors that buying a property is a lot like buying a used car. There are certain things that come up in home inspections that are big issues and there are certain things that come up that are a lot more minor. A home inspector will go through the property with a “fine tooth comb,” as they say. It’s their job to find out anything and everything that could be wrong with the property, and to give you a detailed account of the present status of every part of the property. It’s also their job to differentiate between the more important issues, and the ones that are less of a concern.
A day or so after the home inspection, your inspector will give you a written inspection report. At that point, we’ll discuss any repairs that you want the seller to make, and I’ll draft a document that details those requests. When repair requests are made, this opens up a new phase of negotiation in the transaction. A seller's willingness to make repairs depends on a variety of factors, including how motivated they are, how much interest from other buyers their property has been getting, and how good of a deal they feel they are giving the buyer on the sales price.