realtyreport
Home Inspection Myths
A home inspection is a vital part of the home buying and selling process. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about inspections and inspectors, including the following.
- “An inspection will tell me what a property is worth.” The point of a home inspection is to provide buyers and sellers a clearer understanding of a property’s current condition, not to estimate the property’s market value.
- “I don’t need a home inspection because I’m buying a new construction.” A brand new home isn’t necessarily a perfect home. New-construction homes can have serious defects, like structural problems and mold — defects inspectors are trained to spot.
- “I’m a seller; home inspections are for buyers.” A pre-listing inspection allows sellers to make repairs before their home goes on the market, in turn, letting buyers know they’re serious about selling and confident in their home’s condition.
- “I have to repair any defects the inspector finds.” Sellers can of course choose to make any recommended repair, but they don’t have to, unless they made an agreement with a buyer to do so or the inspection reveals a problem that must, by law, be rectified before the home can be sold.
- “I can have the inspector do any repairs his or her inspection turns up.” A home inspector can’t, or at least shouldn’t, offer or accept requests to do any recommended repairs. Doing so qualifies as a conflict of interest, as does when a home inspector recommends a contractor to make the repairs.
It’s important to understand that, because home inspectors can only inspect what they can see on the surface, they can’t guarantee all is well. Nevertheless, it’s still prudent to do a home inspection when such a large amount of money is involved.
