What to Expect From Your Home Inspection
For some Florida home buyers, a home inspection is nothing new and simply part of the home buying process. On the other hand, for first-time home buyers, the whole home inspection process may be something new, confusing, and maybe even questionable. What is a home inspection? Why should I get one? The house looks just fine, is this a scam?
Read on to discover why real estate agents and inspectors agree that home inspections are absolutely not a scam, why you need one, and how a home inspection can save you from a potential money pit.
So, what exactly is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a visual assessment of a house’s mechanical and structural systems; things like electrical systems, roofing, plumbing, foundation and flooring. A home inspection checks for both major issues, like water damage, mold, safety issues, and foundation faults, and minor issues, like faulty window seals, cosmetic issues, old air conditioning systems, etc.
At Coast2Bay Inspection Services, we inspect:
- Structural systems
- Roofing
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems,
- and major appliances in every home inspection.
Ultimately, a home inspection is done to uncover any issues with your new home and give you peace of mind when it comes to the buying process. A professional home inspector will not give you an opinion on whether you should or should not buy the house. Ultimately that choice is up to you.
When does a home inspection typically happen?
A home inspection will occur after the seller has accepted your offer but before the actual buying process. This gives you the chance to inspect the home for any potential issues and later negotiate with the seller.
How long does a home inspection take?
It’s best for potential buyers to give themselves 7-10 days to schedule a home inspection. At Coast2Bay, we offer 24/7 online scheduling and same day home inspection report delivery via email. Once we schedule a walkthrough, your home inspector will take you through a tour of the house, pointing out all major and minor issues.
What are some common issues found during home inspections?
Some of the most common issues found in Florida homes include:
- Water damage
- Damaged or leaky roofs
- Faulty air conditioning
- Plumbing issues
- Outdated appliances & cosmetic issues
Helpful Tip: It’s reasonable to ask the seller to fix or negotiate on the sale price when it comes to damaged roofs, extreme water damage and most plumbing issues, but it’s less likely you’ll come to an agreement over old air conditioning, appliances or cosmetic problems.
What do I get in my home inspection report?
A quality inspection report will include a checklist of everything inspected, all major and minor issues, including pictures, notes and possible fixes. Keep in mind that a home inspection report will not tell you whether your potential new home “passes” or “fails.” Again, that decision is up to you and your real estate agent.
To see a sample of the kinds of inspection reports Coast2Bay provides, click here. Our reports include an inspection checklist, a full report with pictures, notes and suggested repairs, and a focused list of immediate repairs needed. Real estate agents will find a Repair Request Document generator that helps them quickly grab our language to copy/paste into their document to ask for repairs or concessions.
How do I start the home inspection process?
While some real estate agents provide suggestions when it comes to home inspectors, you can always choose your own qualified inspector. If you live in the Tampa – St. Petersburg, FL area, we’d love to provide you with peace of mind with our thorough, certified home inspection process. To get started with Coast2Bay Inspection Services, simply schedule a time here!
