Is A Home Inspector Important When Buying A Home?
One of the most important steps when buying a home is to have a home inspector complete a thorough home inspection. You may know, from being an experienced homeowner, some of the things to look for when purchasing a new home, but a home inspector will look deeper than the surface.
What Is a Home Inspector?
A home inspector is a licensed professional who is qualified and educated. A home inspector is responsible for completing a home inspection prior to the purchase of a home to ensure the home is up to code and safe to live in. Most mortgage lenders will require a home inspection to be completed before they will fund the cost of the home.
Becoming a Home Inspector
If becoming a home inspector is something you want to do, you will need to research all the license requirements in your state. Not all states will require you to take classes or training before becoming certified, but those who do may not accept accreditation from online classes. After you have completed the classes and/or requirements, depending on your state, you should be able to get certified.
Once you are a certified home inspector, most states will require you to obtain liability insurance or errors and omissions insurance to protect you in the event of an error. Errors can happen; this is why even if you are knowledgeable, you should still take classes or training, regardless of whether it is required or not.
What Does a Home Inspector Look For?
A large part of the home inspector's job is to make sure the home is up to code. If they find safety concerns or something that is not up to code, the seller may be required to fix the issue before the home can be sold. Most lenders will not lend money to a borrower for a home with a bad home inspection report.
Other things a home inspector will check include:
- Heating, cooling, and ventilation systems
- Structural stability
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Attic
- Basement
- Roof
After the home inspector completes the inspection, you will be provided with a detailed report on the findings.
Why Should You Get a Home Inspection?
Most lenders will require a home inspection to be completed before they will lend a cent. This is to make sure that the home is not a money pit and that they will get their money back. It is possible to find a lender that does not require a home inspection, but the inspection benefits the buyers more than anyone.
Never pass up on a home inspection. There may be things you miss when you are shown the house. There may be things the realtor does not know about. It is safer and in the buyer's best interest to have all the knowledge of the home before dropping a pretty penny on it.
For more information, contact a local company like Boxer Inspections LLC.