Do You Really Need Home Inspection?

Published by julia | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Miscellaneous, Real Estate, Shout Outs, Uncategorized

Yes it is true that buying a home is expensive.  The house price alone can take your breath at times when you are contemplating that new payment each month.  But then there are all these other little charges for things like home inspections, well tests, bug tests, earnest money, loan origination fee, escrow, title fees, etc.  It is natural to want to try and find where you can cut costs.  The home inspection is one service that buyers often consider skipping to save money.  Is this a good idea?
Most people know someone who has professional experience in some area relating to house construction or someone who is simply very handy and knowledgeable.   Uncle John is a heating and cooling guy, your buddy does plumbing and electrical.  Your major mechanical then is covered so why would you need to pay someone to look further?

There is much more involved in the construction of a house than a furnace and wiring and there are strengths and weaknesses in every house.  The home inspector has a long and thorough checklist of items to examine to identify those strengths and weaknesses.  Too many things can be missed during inspection by a non professional because they do not know everything to look for and this can lead to discovered malfunctions after closing that will add up to much more than the $300 or $400 home inspection.

Most of the items discovered and recorded during a home inspection are the minor deficiencies and wear and tear found in every home.  These notations are mainly made for information purposes only, not leverage for further negotiation.  The point of the home inspection is not to kill the deal or nit pick the house, but to protect you from major flaws that result in costly repairs, and to provide a history on the house.

The house you are buying has likely been lived in before.  It existed long before you thought about buying it.  The home inspection provides you with clues as to how the house has been treated, a little bit of maintenance history and what you can expect from it in the near and distant future.  They often even come with pictures of key points from the inspection and “how to” instructions for tiny repairs.  So if possible, buy the home inspection, the peace of mind, and the history of your house manual… all for $350.  Doesn’t sound so expensive now, does it?