Fergus Falls | Home Inspections: What to Expect

Whether you are looking to buy a home in Fergus Falls or on a lake, I’m a real estate agent with the “heart of a teacher” who would love to help you in the process.  As a real estate agent, I want to be prepared to ensure that you are given the best buying/selling experience with knowledge and expertise to guide you along the way.   Today I’d like to talk to you about Home Inspections.

So you made an offer, it was accepted, and now your next task is to have the home inspected. Oftentimes, agents make your offer contingent on a home inspection, usually with in a 10-14 day time period.

This contingency allows you to renegotiate the price you paid for the home, ask the sellers to cover repairs, or even, in some cases, walk away. Your agent can advise you on the best course of action once the report is filed.

Generally speaking though, it is best not to use the inspection report to ask the seller to do nit-picky, minor repairs. Inspections are important to find out if there are major issues that need to be dealt with immediately and they help budget and plan for future expenses as inspectors will point out deferred maintenance items.

How to Choose an Inspector

Your agent will most likely have a short list of inspectors that they have worked with in the past that they can recommend to you. HGTV recommends that you consider the following 5 areas when choosing the right home inspector for you:

1. Qualifications – find out what’s included in your inspection and if the age or location of your home may warrant specific certifications or specialties.
2. Sample Reports – ask for a sample inspection report so you can review how thoroughly they will be inspecting your dream home. The more detailed the report, the better in most cases.
3. References – do your homework – ask for phone numbers and names of past clients who you can call to ask about their experiences.
4. Memberships – Not all inspectors belong to a national or state association of home inspectors, and membership in one of these groups should not be the only way to evaluate your choice. Membership in one of these organizations often means that continued training and education are provided.
5. Errors & Omission Insurance – Find out what the liability of the inspector or inspection company is once the inspection is over. The inspector is only human after all, and it is possible that they might miss something they should have seen.

Ask your inspector if it’s okay for you to tag along during the inspection, that way they can point out anything that should be addressed or fixed.

Don’t be surprised to see your inspector climbing on the roof or crawling around in the attic and on the floors. The job of the inspector is to protect your investment and find any issues with the home, including but not limited to: the roof, plumbing, electrical components, appliances, heating & air conditioning systems, ventilation, windows, the fireplace and chimney, the foundation, and so much more!

Bottom Line

They say ‘ignorance is bliss,’ but not when investing your hard-earned money into a home of your own. Work with a professional who you can trust to give you the most information possible about your new home so that you can make the most educated decision about your purchase.

Source….  KCM Charlie Brue blog

To reach me, call or text 218-205-6566

Or send me an email at charlie@century21vista.com