The Benefits of a Pre-purchase Home Inspection

Buying a home is a big deal. Buying a home with confidence is the goal, and most buyers need a bit of help with this confidence piece. Just like you can’t judge a book by its cover or a car by how it looks in the lot, you can’t determine the health of a home in a 30-minute superficial walk-through. You’ve got to look below the surface at the underlying structure and systems to really understand the condition of a home. An honest, realistic, comprehensive assessment gives you the confidence you need to move ahead with the deal or walk away.

Pre-purchase home inspections provide that confidence, which is why they are a standard part of most home sales. Work with your agent to find an inspector and schedule a residential home inspection in Philadelphia, PA, prior to closing. The inspector will spend around two hours reviewing all the major components of the home, including the foundation, roof, electrical system, plumbing, and more. When finished, they will provide you with an inspection report detailing their findings that provides the following benefits:

Uncovers Unseen Issues

You might love the design feature of the home, the floor plan, or the location, but how about the plumbing? Do you know how to recognize the signs of a slow leak or whether the electrical system meets current safety codes? The following are common issues discovered by home inspectors:

• Missing GCFIs. GCFIs – These are the outlets found in bathrooms, kitchens, and other wet locations that have the red button that pops in and out. These outlets are an important safety device. If moisture is detected in the outlet, the red button pops out to interrupt the circuit and prevent fire or electrocution.
• Foundation Flaws—Inspectors are on the lookout for cracks in the foundation or any other signs of instability, such as sticking doors of mysteriously sloping floors. They also look outside for evidence of standing water along the exterior foundation, indicating drainage and grading problems.
• Any Moisture—Lots of things can cause moisture to build up in a home, including poor ventilation, poor drainage, faulty gutters, and plumbing leaks. Excess moisture leads to rot and mold, both of which are serious problems.
• Roof Issues—Inspectors check over the roof, looking for telltale signs of wear such as missing or broken shingles and flashing.

These and other problems are subtle, but home inspectors will find them and let you know so you can make informed decisions.

Gives You Negotiating Power

The home inspector’s report gives you critical negotiating power. This report outlines the condition of the home, including any potential safety issues, structural concerns, and other defects. With this information in hand, you have what you need to make good decisions. If there are issues with the house that are significant and need to be addressed, you can consider the following actions:

• Request that the seller make repairs. But beware: the seller is not obligated to make the repairs to your standards, only to the minimum standard required to get a clear inspection.
• Request price concessions from the seller so you can arrange the repairs yourself.
• Walk away from the deal because the purchase is simply too risky.

The home inspection report is a valuable bargaining chip, but stay focused on the big stuff. You shouldn’t expect the seller to make every single minor correction listed prior to closing.

Helps You Plan for the Future

Many of the items listed in the home inspection represent normal wear and tear on the home and do not require immediate attention or remediation. They do, however, give you a road map of the maintenance the home will require over the next few years. Your inspection will give you a reasonable idea of the life expectancy of major appliances, the roof, the HVAC system, and other features. With this info, you can plan and budget for future repairs.

Call Eagle Inspections today for full residential inspections in Philadelphia, PA. Our home experts will help you purchase your next home with confidence.