Home Inspection Checklist - What Buyers and Sellers Should Know About Inspections?

A home inspection is a very important step in the home buying process. It makes sure that the buyers aren’t getting themselves into a contract of buying a home that turns out to be an expensive mistake. For sellers too, it can be a cause of worry as it may lead to costly home repairs before they sell their house. 

However, there is no such thing as the “perfect property”. After a home inspection, there will always be some issues that will be discovered. This issue might need some attention and can often lead to further negotiation. Other defects found by the home inspector may be minor – things that can be fixed quickly and inexpensively. 

If you are planning to buy a house in Corpus Christi, Texas, then this checklist will help you understand what you need to know about home inspections. 

Home Inspection Checklist –

The 12 primary areas where the home inspection will focus on are –

• Attic

• Roof

• Plumbing

• Electrical

• Heating

• Air conditioning

• Structure

• Foundations

• Walls

• Floors

• Ceilings

• Doors and windows

• Basement

The home inspector will do their best job in examining the house for any signs of defect. However, things like plumbing can only see it so much without dismantling the house.

Advice for Sellers –

When you are selling your house and the buyer has arranged for an inspection for your property, there are a few things you can do to make the inspection process easier. Some kindness shown towards the person checking over your property can make them a little more favorable towards your property and they will not be in a bad mood when they are viewing your property. 

Tidy the areas that they will be inspecting. The basement and attic will need some more cleaning, so make sure that you spend a significant time cleaning those spaces. The water heaters, electric panel, and heating system will be inspected, so have the keys ready. Keys for the electrical panels and outbuildings should also be made available. If the home has been vacant, reconnect the utilities.

Improving the Report that Your Home Receives –

Any typical issues can be found during the home inspection. So it is wise to check around the house beforehand. Do this soon enough so you have sufficient time to rectify the minor things. There is no point in addressing major and expensive potential issues, but if you have already dealt with minor stuff beforehand, there will be less in the inspection report to put off your buyer.

Your home should look at its best for potential buyers. It doesn’t hurt to make sure everything is as perfect as it can be before the inspection. This is a smart strategy for any home seller. 

How much will a home inspection cost?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions. The larger the home, the higher will be the inspection cost. Location is another factor that determines the home inspection cost. The average amount ranges between 300 $ RO 1000 $ for a home inspection. This cost falls on the homebuyer and not the seller. 

So, if you are planning to put your house for sale in Corpus Christi, do not worry about the inspection cost. 

Sellers have the option to get the home inspection done before listing their homes for sale in Corpus Christi. This is known as pre-listing home inspection in the real estate world. This gives the sellers a chance to detect any issues in the home before the potential buyer. They can then make the necessary repair and maintenance done before the potential buyer conducts a home inspection. 

When you are looking to hire a home inspector, look for the one who is accredited by ASHI. They have a code of ethic and requires the members to complete the training every year. 

How much time will the home inspection take?

It honestly depends on the size of your house. Also, the difficulty the inspector will have in accessing the parts of the house. They need to examine each and every corner. This can lengthen their time. Other factors that affect the time may include –

• Any issues found.

• Making it easier for the inspector to do their inspection job.

• How thoroughly the inspector will assess the property.

• If there is a crawl space or a full basement.

• A standard home inspection generally takes 2 hours but can stretch for 4 - 5 hours if the home is larger.

Can the buyers attend the home inspection?

Definitely! A buyer should always attend the home inspection. It can be a great way to have complete knowledge and satisfaction of the property you are purchasing. 

The buyer’s agent should also attend the home inspection along with real estate agent who is a very important part of this transaction. 

Attending the inspection will give you a thorough understanding of the problems discovered. You can see them with your own eyes. You can also ask the seller a few questions along the way.

Additional costs –

Certain homes may benefit from a more specialist checklist. Older homes generally need more checks. A radon inspection can be needed if there is an issue with asbestos or lead paints. 

Here is a list of things to consider checking outside of a standard home inspection –

• The presence oflead paint if the home was built before the 1970s.

• Evidence of the possible existence of asbestos.

• The existence of rodents or bug infestation.

• The presence of mold.

• Water quality and quantity if there is a well present.

• Elevated radon levels are considered unsafe.

What if the defects are significant?

A long list of problems will be discovered during the home inspection. This should not overly concern the buyer and the seller as it is quite normal. What need your attention are the major concerns found in the report. The significant problems can lead to negotiating further on the price. You can ask the seller to fix those issues before the contract is signed. 

Is a home inspector important?

Yes! One of the most significant mistakes you can do is not choosing the correct inspector. Lots of buyers seek an inspector who has the best price. What a catastrophic mistake this is! Remember, you are spending hundreds of thousands of money on the property! Is saving a few hundred dollars worth by choosing the wrong inspector? No, not!

Do yourself a favor and get a good home inspector. Ask for references from your trusted realtor. They know who is good and who is not.

Final Thoughts on Home Inspections –

A home inspection is a vital part of the home-buying process and shouldn’t be compromised. It isn’t wise to skip an inspection. Even if you buy a house in Corpus Christi in a hot market, you should conduct a home inspection. Keeping an open mind when it comes to home inspection is very important. Never take the inspector’s word as gospel. They too are humans, just like us. If you have any further questions, do not forget to get in touch with the Grahambelle Group, top realtors in Corpus Christi. We will be happy to assist you in every aspect of real estate investment, and if selling your house for cash is your priority then you need not look any further coz we buy houses for cash without any kind of hassle.