Do I Need a Home Inspection?

If you’re purchasing a home, the answer is simple: Yes, you need a home inspection. In fact, we recommend including a professional inspection contingency on any offer you put in to purchase a home. Why is waiving the inspection contingency so important you may ask? Continue reading to find out why it’s not worth the risk to skip a professional inspection.

Why You Need a Home Inspection

Buying a property without a professional home inspection is basically like going in blind—you’ll have no idea what you’re in for in your new home and it could lead to many expensive repairs and possible health hazards.

In general, most home inspections include things such as checking:

• Roof and gutters
• Siding, flashings, eaves, etc.
• Exterior doors and windows
• Porches, decks, and patios
• Walkways and driveways
• Fireplaces and chimneys
• Walls, ceilings, and floors
• Heating and cooling systems
• Interior plumbing system
• Electrical system
• Switches, receptacles, and fixtures
• Hot water heater
• Basements and crawl spaces
• Attics
• Foundations
• Building’s structure
• Pool and spa
• Evidence of gas leaks, infestations, toxic chemicals, etc.
• And more

A home inspector will check the home from top to bottom to ensure everything meets or exceeds local codes and laws for habitation. That means any problems or concerns with the property—such as faulty plumbing or a termite infestation—will be apparent before you purchase the house, and you can have the seller bring the building up to code before you move in.

This is especially important in instances where the house will be uninhabitable unless the problem is addressed, such as a carbon monoxide leak from a cracked furnace, because without a home inspection contingency, these costly repairs could fall on you as the buyer! If you have a home inspection contingency it will typically provide an opportunity to void the contract if needed—it gives you an out if there is a problem with the home.

Get Help Throughout the Home Buying Process

Buying a home is a difficult process—that’s why it’s important to have an experienced real estate agent on your side! Let the pros at Coakley Realty put their many years of experience to work for you by calling us today. We can help you set up home inspections for properties you’re interested in and ensure you don’t get taken to the cleaner by an overabundance of repairs.

Contact us to get started—our number is 301-340-8700!

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