Buying a home is probably the biggest personal investment you’ll make. You can’t just return a real estate purchase. A professional home inspection can give you a lot of information about the house you are buying, but you don’t want to hire just anyone.
Questions to Ask When Hiring a Professional Home Inspector
Your real estate agent in Philly probably has a good working relationship with a home inspection company, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do your due diligence. Here are some questions you should ask any company:
- Are you bonded and insured? – Errors and omissions insurance protects you if the inspector makes a mistake.
- Do you have references?
- What is your focus – home inspections or repairs? – If your home inspection company is a general contractor that provides repairs, you may not get an unbiased opinion.
- Can you tag along on the inspection? – You’ll gain valuable insight if you walk through the home inspection with your inspector.
- What is included with the inspection? – The more thorough the inspection, the more information you have.
- Do you give me a written report? – Ask for a sample report to see what kind of detail you receive after the inspection.
- What do you charge? – Don’t shop by price. Know what you’re getting to see if saving a couple of hundred dollars is worth it.
The Most Important Parts to Check During an Inspection
Ideally, your home inspector would open every window, check every appliance and inspect every nook and cranny for problems. The most important parts of a home inspection are the areas that cost the most to repair, such as:
- Roofing system
- Basement
- Structural aspects, especially if you’re buying an older home
- Plumbing
- Electrical wiring
- HVAC
A home inspection can take two hours or more, depending on the inspector and whether you ask questions or not. During the inspection, the inspector should point out potential problems. You may also learn about the assets of your home. Your inspector should take pictures for the final report that you receive.
After the inspection, you should receive a written report that outlines the damages and defects that the inspector found. This can help you determine whether you want to invest in the property. You will still have to get estimates on repair costs but having that information will save you time.
Work With Your Real Estate Agent to Find Your Dream Home
Mr. Philly Real Estate, Super Agent, is here to help you set down roots in the Philly community. Contact our office today for information about buying a home.