9 Home Inspection Tips For Buyers

When you’re buying a home, you want a house that is secure and safe. Something that’s not going to cost loads of money down the road like a bad used car.

The problem is that homes can hide issues, both big and small, that can cost thousands of dollars. Sometimes problems pop up in a week, sometimes in a few months.

You shouldn’t feel scared about losing out on thousands of dollars in repairs costs when buying a home. Buying a house should be freeing and enjoyable!

So, how do you have confidence in a home that is worth its price and surety that huge repairs will not be needed?

You need to start with a home inspection to have the freedom that buying a home should give you.

We always recommend our clients get a home inspection because we want our clients to have the best investment in their home moving forward… part of that is making sure the home their buying is worth the price, so we highly recommend they start a home inspection.

What if the inspection shows a lot of problems? Even when we have clients back out of a deal because inspections went south, they always end up finding something even better for their family.

So, here are 9 tips to help you get the most out of your home inspection:

1) Make sure you have an inspection contingency in the contract
2) Mentally prepare for a full inspection
3) Attend the inspection - ask questions
4) Focus the post-inspection around the contract, not a wish list
5) Consider speciality inspections - radon, chimney, termite, well, etc
6) Trust your agent - in negotiations and referral
7) Don’t risk a deal over cosmetic fixes
8) Focus on red flag issues (roof, foundation, HVAC, or other costly issues)
9) Propose a solid post-inspection agreement with re-inspections (receipts and 24hr walkthrough)

A house riddled with problems, big and small, will cost thousands of dollars down the road. And all the added stress of home issues will just compound the frustration you have.

If you’re unsure of the condition of the home you’re wanting to buy and the possible future costs of repairs, you’ll want to ask your realtor for a recommendation for a home inspector.

Then, follow the tips and your realtor’s advice.

You want to trust your home inspection and realtor to guide you through the process so you can have certainty that your home is a good investment in your future.

Hey, my name is Kyle and I'm a Mortgage Advisor serving Tennessee, Florida, and Ohio. My goal is to help you get a crystal-clear home loan that helps you win the house you love. If you're ready to create your home-buying plan, you can reach me through any of the ways below:

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NMLS# 1701021
Motto Mortgage Alliance
8900 N. Dixie Dr.
Dayton, OH 45414
Equal Housing Opportunity

[daveschiemer]

We would like to thank you Kyle. We are trying to buy our first home and we are disabled and you have made learning about the process very understandable for us. Keep up the good work. Thank you again

[tinainnca]

“ Focus on the contract not on a wish list”. Such valuable info in that statement. As a realtor, we like to tell our clients we are focused on health and safety.

[kabal]

Thank you so much...I have a home inspector and sewer inspector this Thursday. I found your video helpful.

[kc]

Great tips !! This is short detailed video. Very much needed for me . Thanks a lot.

[ronswanson]

This channel is highly underrated so many great tips im ready for my first home purchase this summer you’ll definitely be hearing from me

[laurenmiller]

Kyle, your voice is so easy to listen to, thank you so much - Lauren NC Broker

[RowUUUU]

Thank you so much for this video! It's been really tough feeling like I don't even know what information I'm missing much less where to find it. This video has been immensely helpful!!

[jivenji]

We will have an inspection tomorrow and this video really helps. Thank you for the tips. We will keep these in mind

[Mabukafam]

Planning to have an inspection on Friday. Thank you Kyle for the tips. I’ve been watching your videos since wanting to purchase a home 🏡

[yvettele]

Great tips...Nice to see you in this field too!!

[TeslaBoy]

I don't understand why people think a home build 40 or 70 year has to be perfect that never happens only on dreams

[TheSihoonLee]

The algorithm brought me here but wow.. you have a amazing voice.

[earthangel]

I am scheduled to meet with a home inspector tomorrow it's 2.5 hours away from where we live now. Being a first-time home buyer I am researching as much as possible. The home was built in 1996 and sits on 3 ac. It looks well-maintained. Septic, Pest, and appraisal inspections will follow. It's in a rural area in California with a population of approx. 1, 275

Is there anything else I should have inspected? Does anyone know? Thank you for a very informative video.
Angel from The Bay

[achavez]

You need to make an inspection guide for sellers next!

[shalomstephens]

Hey! So glad I found your channel. If I have already sign contract for a new build can I still do an inspection? My agent is connected with builder

[bellavie]

PLEASE people! Research and hire your own home inspector. Don't get the one recommended by your realtor unless you have worked with him before and really trust him.

[kpsher]

Do you happen to know a 'good home inspection' company or an individual in the east coast area?

[mooki]

Great video. My condo inspection is this Wednesday. In their email they said they charge extra for mold and air quality testing. I would have thought that was standard. Should I pay to add this?

[chellafam]

Can you explain having inspections done with FHA vs Conventional? I've heard with conventional loans, sellers aren't on the hook to get everything fixed. My wife and I are first-time home buyers and (without getting into specifics) the home we are interested in requires a lot of repairs (roof, deck, windows, pool, AC?, etc) (pre-inspection) but the seller will only entertain conventional buyers. Any options or thoughts? Thanks!

[jellyrcw]

Excellent advice! I agree with some other commenters that it's better to have an independent inspector.