Common Mistakes People Make When Purchasing A Home
Home inspectors are trained to spot damage, recognize the symptoms of defects, and report them to the buyer before the closing to make an informed decision. A home inspection firm looks at all aspects of home construction. It uses its knowledge of a wide range of factors like structural integrity, quality plumbing, and safe electrical wiring to assess and provide reports on the property’s physical condition.
Every once in a while, we come across homes up for urgent sale. We think they are at a price point too favorable to pass up. At the same time, it can be tempting to go all-in and take a leap of faith in a quick purchase without adequately checking the property and having it inspected by a professional. It is recommended that you make decisions based on educated reports of a competent home inspection professional.
To help you avoid some basic errors that could prove costly, True Blue Home Inspections has compiled a list of the most common mistakes people make when purchasing a home.
1. Waiving their right to inspect
In the current real estate ‘sellers’ market, many buyers tend to waive the right to inspect the property just so they can purchase the property outright. Except for high-rise condominiums where the HOA (Home Owners Association) or management is responsible for most of the utility systems and components, this is a bad idea. You see, there may be many operational defects in a single-family home that an inspector can identify for the buyer so they can at least anticipate these repairs when they take ownership. Without this inspection, these defects may become expensive and troublesome repairs that hinder their budget.
2. Not attending the inspection
Similarly, as we are busy with our lives, we sometimes fail to attend the inspection tour. However, we urge everyone to make their best effort to do so for several obvious reasons.
First, a detailed first-hand tour of the property gives a better feel for the dimensions of each room and how you will plan to use the space. Second, you will witness the discovery of some defects that may affect your decision to purchase the home. There are naturally some worn surfaces and aged appliances in a home, but the inspector may also discover more prominent issues needing significant repair or maintenance. Finally, the diligence of your inspector is an indicator of the level of detail you may expect in the report.
3. Skipping home inspection after the purchase
After the home is purchased, many people fail to use their home inspector as an informed advisor when it comes to repairs and upgrades. Although the inspector may not recall the home in detail, they will undoubtedly have some insight into the general condition and relationship of systems in the property after referring to their report. They can be a valuable ‘second opinion’ when considering upgrades and repairs. Failing to utilize this information is an oversight that can lead to unnecessary expenditure and time wastage.
To avoid these and other mistakes, reach out to the leading ASHI certified home inspector in Chicago, Illinois, at True Blue Home Inspections. As a licensed, insured, and certified home inspector in Chicago, Illinois, I provide comprehensive inspections and reports. My services include home buyer inspections, home seller pre-listing inspections, indoor air quality, and commercial lite. I also offer consultation solutions to my clients.
I serve clients across Berwyn, Chicago, Cicero, Des Plaines, Elmwood Park, Evanston, Franklin Park, Glencoe, Glenview, Harwood Heights, and Kenilworth. I also cover Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Norridge, Northbrook, Northfield, Oak Park, Park Ridge, River Grove, Schiller Park, Skokie, Wilmette, Winnetka.
For a complete list of my services, please click here. If you have any questions about home inspections, I’d love to hear from you. Please contact me here.