4 Questions To Ask Your Home Inspector Before Closing
While most mortgages these days don't require a home inspection prior to closing, getting a home inspection done is always a smart decision before you close on a sale. After all, a home is likely to be one of the biggest purchases you ever make. The last thing you want is to end up buying a home that has all kinds of underlying and costly problems.
Plus, a home inspection should only run you a few hundred dollars and can uncover a lot about your potential home. To get the most out of your home inspection, there are a few questions worth asking a professional home inspector after the appointment.
Are There Any Major Safety Hazards?
There's a big difference between a faulty window seal and an exposed electrical wire; one is mostly an eyesore, whereas the latter poses a serious threat to your health and safety. No matter how old or new a home may be, an inspection is always going to uncover a list of recommended repairs. After your inspection, then, you might want to ask the inspector to separate the issues that are potential health and safety hazards from the ones that are more of an inconvenience or eyesore.
How Much Will Repairs Cost?
While a home inspector will not be able to give you an exact dollar amount in regards to what each repair would cost, most of these professionals have been in the business long enough that they can give you a ballpark estimate. This can help you get a better feel for how large of a financial burden the repairs are going to be, which might even lead you back into negotiations with your seller.
What Would You Repair First?
If you're feeling a little overwhelmed by the number of items on the inspection report, consider asking your home inspector which three items he or she would tackle first. This will help you get a better idea of what the most pressing concerns are so you can prioritize each project with a little more confidence.
Can You Recommend a Repair Professional?
Home inspectors tend to know a lot of professional contractors throughout the industry--so while they will not solicit you to hire one of their buddies for repair work, they typically will be able to make some recommendations if you ask.
Your home inspector can do so much more than simply hand you a report when all is said and done; these hard-working and knowledgeable professionals are here to answer questions after your inspection is complete so you can make informed decisions moving forward with your home purchase
