What home inspections are and why you should get one.
Today I want to talk about home inspections, what they are, and why they’re important.
During the negotiation phase of your contract, you and your agents will discuss home inspections. Hopefully, you decided to get one. If you did, pay attention to the date by which you need to have your inspection done. The contract should specify how many days you have to do this.
A home inspection is when you hire a general inspector or specialized professional to look at the home. For example, if you’re only worried about the electrical systems, you might call an electrician to inspect the house. Home inspectors in Iowa don’t need additional training, but there are other rules depending on the state.
“Decide with your agent whether you need general or specialized inspections.”
Some home inspectors own and operate a business where they inspect homes for a living. They’ll come in and go through a thorough checklist. At the end of the process, you’ll get a five- to 100-page report detailing everything they found, from cosmetic defects to plumbing issues. They’ll also refer you to professionals in specific fields if they think certain problems need to be looked at further.
Talk with your agents to decide whether to start with a general inspection or only get more specialized ones. People usually get termite and radon inspections, too. You may also want to inspect for lead-based paint, especially if you have kids.
If you have questions about inspections or anything else related to real estate, feel free to call or email me. I’d love to help.
