Why you should get an Inspection

Whether you are buying or selling a home, you should have a professional home inspection performed.

A home inspection will look at the systems that make up the building such as:

• Structural elements, foundation, framing etc
• Plumbing systems
• Roofing
• Electrical systems
• Cosmetic condition, paint, siding etc

If you are buying a home, you need to know exactly what you are getting. A home inspection, performed by a professional certified home inspector, will reveal any hidden problems with the home so that they may be addressed BEFORE the deal is closed. In Hawaii, we have a clause in our Purchase Contract, C-51, that allows the buyer some number of days, usually 15, to have the inspector or inspectors go through the property.  During that time, an inspection report is provided and time is allowed to negotiate any repairs that need to be made.  When requesting that repairs be made, one of three things can happen; one, the seller agrees to all repairs.  Two, the seller says no to all repairs.  Three, the seller agrees to do some of the repairs but not others.  This is a time of negotiation, if you're not satisfied with the results of the negotiation you can cancel your offer to buy and have your deposit refunded.  Typically, the buyer pays for the home inspection.

Likewise, if you are selling a home, you want to know about such potential hidden problems before your house goes on the market. Almost all contracts include the condition that the contract is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory inspection. And most buyer's are going to insist that the inspection be a professional home inspection, usually by an inspector they hire. If the buyer's inspector finds a problem, it can cause the buyer to get cold feet and the deal can often fall through. At best, surprise problems uncovered by the buyer's inspector will cause delays in closing, and usually you will have to pay for repairs at the last minute, or take a lower price on your home.

It's better to pay for your own inspection before putting your home on the market. Find out about any hidden problems and correct them in advance. Otherwise, you can count on the buyer's inspector finding them, at the worst possible time.