As part of the purchase agreement, we recommend that buyers request a whole house inspection completed soon after an accepted offer (timing can vary across markets). Inspections can potentially save you a great deal of money – and hassle – in the long run.

The purpose of an inspection is to help you identify items that you can’t easily see on a walk-through of a house. You may want to walk along with the inspector or meet with him/her at the end of the inspection to review the findings.

Keep in mind that your inspector is a “generalist.”  The report provided to you will have a lot of information and can be overwhelming…even scary! The inspector is pointing out a wide range of items from suggestions for future maintenance to items that warrant further review by a specialist.

Your realtor will help advise you and negotiate a satisfactory resolution to any outstanding issues. However, know that the seller is not obligated to make any additional repairs or compensate for deficiencies. As a result, inspections often result in negotiations between the seller and you.

Here are a few items you don’t want to ignore according to the National Association of Realtors.

Mold

You want to be on the lookout for mold even when you walk through the property. Often, mold is caused by poor air circulation or water leaks.

Pests

Any pest problems can cause major issues, especially if there are signs of termites. Depending on the types of pests discovered in a property, your agent may recommend a specific type of inspection.

Outdated Fixtures and Wiring

Wires hanging out of drywall, outdated wiring or overloaded circuits can be fire hazards. Make sure to take them seriously.

Faulty Foundations

Cracks in the foundation can spell trouble. Make sure to learn more because foundation repairs are very costly.

For inspector recommendations, see the Ruhl&Ruhl Preferred Vendor list or ask your trusted real estate agent.

Learn about the next steps in the process here.