Purchasing a home is a significant financial investment. If you fall in love with a home, it is hard to be objective about its true condition. This is why it’s important to order a home inspection, so you can make an informed decision before committing to a purchase.

A home inspection is a thorough examination of a property, conducted by a trained and licensed professional home inspector. Home inspectors assess the condition of each home and identify safety hazards and any other issues that may need to be addressed.

Here are a few reasons why a home inspection can save you money and headaches down the road:

Home Inspections Uncover Hidden Defects

A home inspection can uncover issues that may not be immediately visible to the naked eye. While you may think a home looks perfect on the surface, a home inspector will look beyond the cosmetics and assess the condition of the home’s major systems, such as the roof, exterior, foundation, structure, appliances, plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, and safety systems. A comprehensive evaluation will help you identify potential issues that may not be apparent during a casual walk-through.

Home Buying Contracts Require Home Inspections

An inspection is often part of the home buying contract. This means if a home inspection uncovers significant defects, buyers can walk away from the sale. This contingency clause protects a buyer’s interest.

Once you have a home inspector’s report in hand, you can decide what to do next. Depending on how many and the severity of the issues found, you can ask for credit or a price reduction. Of course, you can accept the home as-is and supervise the repairs yourself.

Home Inspections Help With Home Buying Negotiations

A home inspection can help you negotiate a better price. If the inspection uncovers issues that need to be addressed, you can use this information to negotiate a lower price or request that the seller makes the necessary repairs before closing.

Keep in mind that you might want to hire your own contractor or trade professional and oversee the repairs yourself. Maybe you want to hire your own plumber to rectify an issue with a leaking shower for example.

Home Inspections Can Identify Renovations That Might Be Problematic Later

An inspector can tell you if work on the home has been done with or without permits, installed poorly, or may affect the usability or resale value of your home. For instance, that garage conversion may have been a “handyman special,” a great idea in theory but not one with properly permitted electrical.

Home Inspections Concentrate on Significant Safety Hazards

Home inspectors are also looking for telltale signs that can indicate a home may have safety issues.

  • Cracks in the foundation or in the wall might indicate a leak or foundation problems.
  • A very old furnace might have a cracked heat exchanger, which could leak carbon monoxide.
  • Wiring problems could indicate a fire risk.
  • A musty odor could indicate mold.
  • Small holes found in wood could indicate a problem with carpenter ants or termites.

Home inspectors can spot many safety risks and recommend additional specialty inspections when necessary.

Home Inspections Help You Plan for Future Maintenance

A comprehensive home inspection report can give you the approximate age of many of the home’s major appliances and give you some idea of the maintenance or replacement schedule you may need to consider in the coming years.

Home inspectors can help educate you about how to care for your home if you’re new to home maintenance and renovations.

Home Inspections Give Peace of Mind

A home inspection can give you peace of mind and reduce the stress inherent as you move through a large purchase. It is natural to have concerns about the condition of a new home, which is why a complete inspection can provide the information you need to feel confident in your home purchase decision.

Buying a Home? Order Your Home Inspection on Maryland’s Eastern Shore

Ordering a home inspection prior to purchasing a home is an important step in the home buying process. It gives you an unbiased big picture so you can identify any potential issues – large and small – so you get the safe and comfortable home you’ve been dreaming of. Don’t skip this important step because it could save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

Contact Chad at Shore Inspection Services LLC, located in Preston, Maryland, to order a speedy, comprehensive home inspection. We offer traditional pre-purchase home inspections, pre-listing home inspections and new construction inspections. In addition, we can offer specialty inspections to check for termite damage, water contamination, lead paint, radon, mold and more. We would be honored to earn your business!