Buying a home is a significant investment, and ensuring that it’s a sound one requires a thorough understanding of the property’s condition. This is where home inspections play a pivotal role. Designed to provide buyers with insights into a property’s overall health, home inspections can save both time and money by uncovering potential issues before the deal is sealed. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the key types of home inspections recommended by real estate professionals.

1. Standard Home Inspection

The cornerstone of any home inspection process is the standard home inspection. This comprehensive evaluation covers a myriad of crucial areas, offering a holistic view of the property’s condition. The key components typically included in a standard home inspection are:

• Lot and Grounds: Assessing the exterior spaces for drainage issues, landscaping concerns, and the overall condition of the property’s grounds.
• Roofs: A thorough examination of the roof’s integrity, identifying any signs of damage, leaks, or the need for repairs.
• Exterior Surfaces: Inspecting the exterior walls, siding, and any other surface materials for wear, damage, or potential issues.
• Garage/Carport: Evaluating attached structures for structural soundness, safety, and functionality.
• Structure: Assessing the overall structural integrity of the property, including the foundation, walls, and framing.
• Attic and Basement/Crawl Space: Checking these spaces for insulation, ventilation, and signs of potential issues like water damage or pest infestations.
• Electrical Systems: A detailed examination of the home’s electrical wiring, outlets, and the functionality of the electrical system.
• Heating and Air Conditioning Systems: Evaluating the HVAC systems for efficiency, age, and potential repair or replacement needs.
• Plumbing: Inspecting plumbing fixtures, pipes, and identifying any leaks or concerns with the water supply and drainage.
• Fireplace/Wood Burning Devices: Ensuring the safety and functionality of fireplaces and other wood-burning appliances.
• Appliance Condition: Checking the condition and functionality of major appliances included with the property.

It’s crucial to note that inspection rights are explicitly stated in the Contract for Sale, and these rights can vary from one jurisdiction to another. In certain cases, homes may be sold “as-is,” even if an inspection takes place.

2. Termite Inspection

Termites and other wood-destroying organisms can pose a significant threat to a property’s structural integrity. A termite inspection, conducted by a specialized inspector, aims to identify the presence of wood-destroying insects (WDI) or wood-destroying organisms (WDO, such as fungi) and assess conducive conditions that may attract these pests. Inspection requirements can vary by state, highlighting the importance of a thorough examination tailored to the property’s location.

Common Repairs Needed After a Home Inspection: What Must Sellers Fix? 

If you’re selling your home, you might wonder if there are common repairs needed after a home inspection. Most buyers, after all, won’t commit to purchasing a place until it’s been thoroughly vetted by a home inspector—and rest assured, if there are problems, this professional will find them! 

So if your home inspection turns up flaws that your home buyer wants fixed, what then? To be sure, repair requests after an inspection are a hassle, and liable to cut into your profits. So for starters, make sure to read your contract carefully to make sure you don’t get locked into repairing something you don’t want to fix. 

You should never sign a contract until you fully understand its obligations, particularly where it concerns your responsibility for repairs. And rest assured, there’s no need for you to fix everything a home inspector thinks could stand for improvement; a home inspection report is not a to-do list. 

Basically repairs fall into three categories: ones that are pretty much required, ones that typically aren’t required, and ones that are up for debate. Here’s how to know which is which:

Common Repairs Required After a Home Inspection

There are some repairs that will be required by lenders before they will release funds to finance a buyer’s home purchase. Typically these address structural defects, building code violations, or safety issues. 

If a home inspection reveals such problems, odds are you’re responsible for fixing them. Start by getting some bids from contractors to see how much the repairs will cost. From there, you can fix these problems or—the more expedient route—offer the buyers a repair credit so they can pay for the repairs themselves. This might be preferable since you won’t have to oversee the process; you can move out and move on with your life. 

Home Inspection Repairs That Aren’t Required

Cosmetic issues and normal wear and tear usually don’t have to be fixed. Some contracts will expressly state that the buyers cannot request any cosmetic repairs to be made and can only ask for fixes to structural defects, building code violations, or safety issues. State laws may also impact your liability as a seller for any issues uncovered during an inspection. 

Be sure to check your local ordinances to know which fix-its legally fall in your realm of responsibility. 

Home Inspection Repairs That Are Negotiable 

Between repairs that are typically required and those that aren’t is a whole gray area of repairs that are up for grabs. How you handle those depends in part on the market you’re in. If you’re in a hot seller’s market, you have more power to call the shots. 

While buyers are always advised to have a home inspection so they know what they are buying, when there are a limited number of homes for sale and buyers need to compete for homes, they are more likely to waive their right to ask a seller to make repairs. 

However, in a normal market, you won’t be able to draw such a hard and fast line. Work with your real estate agent to understand what items you should tackle and where you might want to push back. 

You’ll want to be reasonable—after all, you’ve already put a lot of time into the selling process, and it’s likely in your best interest to accommodate some repairs rather than allowing the buyer to walk away. Also, depending on the magnitude of the requested repair, it’s not likely to go away. Now that it’s been uncovered, you’ll need to disclose the issue to the next buyer. See below for a checklist to follow 5 days before closing escrow.

In Conclusion

Home inspections are a buyer’s safeguard, providing them with valuable information about the property’s condition. By investing in these inspections, buyers can make informed decisions, potentially avoiding costly surprises down the road. Whether it’s the comprehensive standard home inspection or a specialized termite inspection, each serves as a critical tool in the home-buying process, ensuring transparency and peace of mind for all parties involved. Remember, a well-informed buyer is a confident buyer, and home inspections pave the way for just that.