Need A Building Inspection? How To Avoid Mistakes When Buying An Existing Home
Posted on: 12 May 2022
When you're in the market for a new home, you want to make sure that you get your money's worth. You also want to avoid buying a money pit. This is especially important when you're buying an existing home. Unfortunately, if the home you buy has hidden problems, you can end up paying much more to make the necessary repairs. That's why you need to take your time when purchasing an existing home, which is where a building inspection comes into the picture. Here are four steps for you to take before buying an existing home.
Hire a Building Inspection Service
If you want to know what you're buying before you invest in an existing home, now's the time to hire a building inspection service. You might think that you can locate issues on your own, or that you can hire a handyman to take care of the inspection, but that's not actually the case. You might be able to identify some of the issues with that approach, but bigger issues might be overlooked. That's where a building inspection service comes into the picture. A building inspection service will ensure that all potential issues are identified.
Utilize the Cooling-Off Period
If you're ready to buy an existing home, make sure you time the inspection correctly. The best time to schedule a building inspection is after you make the initial purchase offer. Once you make the offer, you'll have a couple of days to cool off, which is when you should schedule the inspection. That way, you have the list of issues before you sign the papers.
Identify the Inspection List
If you're ready to purchase an existing home, and you need to hire a building inspector, make sure you discuss the inspection list. You need to know what areas of the home will be inspected. A thorough inspection should include the structure, the roof space, and the drainage system. For maximum protection, you should also add the electrical system, the plumbing, and the appliances to the list.
Request Written Report
Finally, if you've scheduled a building inspection, be sure to request the written report. In most cases, you'll need to make a formal request for the written report. If possible, request an expedited report. That way, you have the report in hand before the cooling-off period ends. If the report identifies major issues, you have a couple of options available to you. First, you can reduce your offer, which will allow you to pay for the repairs. Or, you can request that the sellers include the repairs in the purchase of the home.
For more information, contact building inspection services near you.
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