Adventures of a First Time Home Buyer! Part 6 - Inspector? You mean, like Inspector Gadget?

 Welcome to 
The Adventures of a First Time Home Buyer


Part 6 ~ Inspector?  You mean, like Inspector Gadget?



Probably the best money you can spend in a home purchase process is for the home inspection.
Cut corners anywhere else you want, but not when it comes to your home inspection.
An experienced, knowledgeable home inspector is worth every penny you pay them.
A thorough home inspection will take at least 2 hours to complete, depending on the size of the home.
Our inspector was recommended to us by our realtor and ended up costing us $330.00!  


Here are some key points to remember:
  • Why do we need a home inspection? Regardless of how new or well maintained a house might be, you owe it to yourself to have a qualified professional inspect the home thoroughly. 
  • My friend/relative is a handyman/contractor. He says he can do our inspection for free! You may know someone that is handy, or has construction experience, but you really should use the services of an experienced, certified professional. Ask your Agent to recommend several inspectors. 
  • How much does a Home Inspection cost and how long will it take? Most inspections run about $300 to $500, depending on the size of the home.
  • What is normally involved in a Home Inspection? Most Home Inspections involve a complete evaluation and assessment of all structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and their primary components. Your inspector will want to make sure that the home is safe, structurally sound, and that all primary systems are operating properly.
  • What happens if the Inspector finds something major wrong with the house? Don’t get too excited and worked up.  Almost every house is going to have something come up on the inspection report. However, if there is a huge defect that is uncovered, you will usually have the opportunity to request the Sellers to remedy or repair the problem. It is a negotiation process. The Sellers may agree to or deny your request. If the Seller’s response is not to your liking and you are within your Due Diligence period, you can elect to back out of the contract and retain your earnest money.