So, you’ve picked the house. Your agent has written the contract and negotiated the terms. He/she has now scheduled the appropriate inspections… and now you wait…
Wait….what? No, no, nope, there is no waiting involved. Inspections are a part of the process you need to be actively involved in. Inspections are for YOU!
Inspections not only point out the deficiencies but they are also what tells you where certain components are (i.e. main water cutoff valves, HVAC clean out lines, electrical panel components, how to operate your pool pump, etc.) These are things you don’t just WANT to know... these are things you will NEED to know!
Inspections also go over specificities maintenance tips. How often should you change your filter, does your dryer vent need cleaning, how often do you need to get your chimney cleaned, etc. There are so many things an inspector sees and notices while they are completing their job. This is going to be your home, your biggest investment ever… it’s not just a good idea to be in attendance… it’s a horrible idea not to be!
Here are a few things you should do while at a home inspection:
Bring a note pad. Don’t expect to write EVERYTHING down because the main findings will be in the report the inspector gives you. But you should write down little tidbits and knowledge bombs the inspector drops along the way so that you remember.
Don’t allow guests such as family and friends to attend. They usually draw your attention away from being with the inspector meaning you could be missing very important time and some very important information. Yes, you will get a recap but it’s never as good as the original… I mean just look at all the remakes of movies today! Nothing beats the first!
Divide and conquer. If there are two of you involved in this purchase (spouses, boyfriend/girlfriend, father/son, etc) then assign tasks. One of you stay with the inspector and the other can tackle anything else you need…. measurements of windows, reviewing cabinets in the kitchen to determine where you’re going to put what, picking out paint colors, etc. Again, you pay a lot of money for this inspectors time and knowledge… soak it up.
Don’t schedule more than one inspection at a time unless they involved the same subject matter. For instance, if your home inspector doesn’t inspect pools or chimney’s then have a separate time for those inspections. However, having a termite/moisture company inspect the home at the same time as the home inspection is ok…. they will most likely be looking at the same things and this may help collaboration and accountability between the two!
Check for things that may have ben hidden at the initial viewing of the home. For example:
Look under area rugs… sometimes floors fade and there are marks.
Check behind couches and large furniture for damaged drywall.
Make sure there is no damage under house plants where water has been spilled.
**If you wait until the walk through to see these items when the home is empty, the seller has no obligation to make these repairs. You must do your due diligence now!
Bottom line is, after you close on this home, it’s yours…for better or worse, until SOLD do you part. You need to know every nook and cranny! What better time to get started than during your home inspection?! Stay focused with open ears and you will learn a TON!
