Congratulations, you’re under contract to purchase a new home. While you’re not at the finish line yet, you can see it in the distance.
If you have a home inspection contingency in your contract, which is something you should strongly consider, you have the right to hire a home inspector to go over the property with a fine tooth comb. Furthermore, if they find something you don’t like, you have the option to back out of the deal.
It’s important to let your home inspector do their job, but don’t be shy about asking questions. As long as you don’t hinder their ability to complete a thorough inspection, it’s okay to stick around and partake in the process when applicable.
With that in mind, here are some of the most important questions to ask your home inspector:
• What is your impression of the overall condition of the property?
• Would you suggest buying the house as-is, or does it make sense in your mind to ask for some repairs?
• Is this a home that you would purchase yourself?
• What do you consider the biggest issues with the property?
• Is there anything that will be difficult and/or costly to repair?
• Can you refer me to contractors who can help with the issues you’ve found?
By asking these questions, you’ll get a better feel for what the home inspector thinks about the property. You need to make the final decision as to what you do next, but it’s always easier when you have an inspection report guiding you.
It’s your hope that everything checks out, but this doesn’t always hold true. Depending on what the inspector finds, don’t hesitate to negotiate repairs with the seller. It’s better to have these things taken care of before you move in than to risk dealing with the issue yourself in the future.
Do you have any experience buying a home? Did you opt for a home inspection? What did you think about the process?