The Ultimate Home Buyer's Guide: How a Home Inspection Can Help You Make an Informed Decision

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The Ultimate Home Buyer's Guide: How a Home Inspection Can Help You Make an Informed Decision

One of the most significant expenditures you'll ever make is purchasing a home. Before choosing, you must thoroughly understand the property you're inspecting. The best home inspection in Miami, FL, is an essential step in home buying that might give you critical details about the property's condition. In this blog, we'll examine the advantages of a home inspection and how it may support your decision-making process when purchasing a property.

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The Essential Home Inspection Checklist: What Your Inspector Should Look For

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The Essential Home Inspection Checklist: What Your Inspector Should Look For

Buying a home is a considerable investment, and it's essential that you know exactly what condition the home is in before you purchase it. To help ensure that your inspector catches all the potential issues, we've put together this essential checklist for home inspection services in Miami, to make sure nothing falls through the cracks! Read on for more details about what your inspector should be looking for when evaluating a home.

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Is the Seller or the Buyer Responsible For A Home Inspection Fee?

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Is the Seller or the Buyer Responsible For A Home Inspection Fee?

When buying a home, it is customary for the buyer to hire a third-party professional to inspect the property's condition. This is done so that any problems are detected and addressed before they become too costly or unmanageable. While this is a common practice, many people need information on home inspection costs in Miami, FL, and who should pay for the inspection. In this article, we break down who usually pays for the inspection, as well as some potential ways that both buyers and sellers can work together so that their experience is less stressful.

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When Is A Home Inspection Required?

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When Is A Home Inspection Required?

Home inspections are required in many situations, including when you buy a new home, sell a home, and get loan approval while purchasing a new property. If you're buying a new home, the inspector will go through all house systems to ensure they work properly. According to Porch, homebuyers do their diligence, and 88% of home buyers had a home inspection on their recent purchase. If you're selling your home, an inspection gives potential buyers an idea of the house's state and ensures your sale goes smoothly. Choosing wisely among the best home inspectors in Miami is important to get the most value for your inspection. Ensure that the inspector you choose is credible and holds a license to avoid an inspection that may simply waste your time and money.

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Address These Issues On A Home Inspection Report First

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Address These Issues On A Home Inspection Report First

After you've finally found the perfect home and negotiated a great purchase price, the last thing you want to hear is that there are problems with the property that need to be addressed. However, a home inspector will likely find some issues, no matter how well-maintained the home is. So, what do you do? How do you prioritize which problems need to be fixed first?

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Things That Warrant Extra Attention During A Home Inspection

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Things That Warrant Extra Attention During A Home Inspection

Buying a home is often an overwhelming experience. There are so many things to take care of, and it cannot be easy to make the right decision. When buying a home for the first time, taking things slow and understanding what you want before jumping into the process is essential.

One of the essential factors you will need to consider when buying a home includes how much it costs, whether or not it's affordable for your budget, and how much space it offers. Another one of the most important things is deciding on an area with good schools and plenty of employment opportunities or someplace from where the commute to work is easy. Set a budget and stick to it. You don't need to spend more than you can afford on your new home; this will put you in financial distress in the future, especially if you are on a budget.

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What to expect on your inspection day?

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As a home buyer, you have probably been in a long journey looking for your dream home and you finally got your offer accepted, congratulations! The inspection of is your only chance to uncover problems that the property may have and potentially negotiate with the seller repairs or credits necessary.

As a seller, you chose the perfect buyer for your home, now you want to know what the inspector will look for so you can be prepared for the visit and make the process goes as smoothly as possible.

All properties have defects! Different people have a different levels of tolerance, some enjoy a “project”, other need a “move-in ready”.

Understanding what you can tolerate

One thing to keep in mind is that all properties have defects (yes, even new construction!). Different people have different levels of tolerance of what needs to be repaired, some enjoy a “project” others need a “move-in ready” property. When buying a house you should understand where in the “repair spectrum” you are comfortable, preferably before your inspection.

Sellers are often surprised when they leaned about the defects the inspector uncovered during the inspection. A Pre-Listing Inspection can avoid this unpleasant surprise and put you ahead of the game knowing what you are willing to repair or negotiate.

Electricity, water, HVAC system and water heater must be turned on; valves must be opened and all the systems of the house should be free and clear for the inspector to access them.

Sellers, prepare for success…

As a seller, you can prepare your house for a successful inspection! Electricity, water, HVAC system and water heater must be turned on, all valves must be opened and all the systems of the house should be free and clear for the inspector to access them. Keep in mind: 1) The inspector will not open closed valves or turn on breakers that in the “off” position 2) If systems are unavailable (AKA: too clutter to access it), the inspector will not inspect them (inspection restriction). Here is a simple list to avoid some common problems:

  • If the home is vacant and the utilities have been shut off, have them reconnected before the inspection day.

  • Leave keys (for instance, for your electrical panel), and label where the inspector can find them.

  • All plumbing valves should be open and the electric water heater should be turned “on” at least two hours before the inspection time.

  • Ensure unobstructed access to the HVAC, water heater, surfaces, attic hatch and anything else that needs inspecting.

  • Stove/ oven should be clear of pots and pans.

  • Turn “on” the pilot lights for fireplaces and furnaces, even in summer, so the inspector can check the heating and other appliances.

  • Clean up key areas in your yard so the inspector can easily access drainage access points, septic tank and crawl space

The inspection may take two to four hours (or more), depending on size and condition of the house

What to expect during the inspection

The inspection may take two to four hours (or more), depending on size and condition of the house. In a typical inspection, the inspector will be looking at:

Exterior

  • Foundation, site grounds, grading, exterior walls, porches, decks, patios, roof system, roof penetrations, eves, soffits, fascia, gutters, downspouts, irrigation system, pool, pool deck, pool enclosure, pool equipment, well water equipment

Interior

  • Floor, walls, ceilings, doors, windows, interior surfaces, electrical system, electrical components, HVAC system, plumbing system, water heater, kitchen, bathrooms, (run all the) appliances, attic, insulation, roof deck, roof anchoring, garage, (operate the) garage door.

Seeing the home inspection process can be much more informative than reading the report on its own. And it can give you some perspective on how major or minor each issue is.

Should buyers attend an inspection?

Why not? We highly recommend buyers to attend to the inspection of their future house.

You’ll have a chance to explore your new home further and ask your inspector questions at the end of the inspection. 

Seeing the home inspection process can be much more informative than reading the report on its own. And it can give you some perspective on how major or minor each issue is.

In the vast majority of the cases we send the inspection report within one hour after the inspection is completed

When do you get the inspection report?

Damngood Inspection will send buyers and their agents the inspection report in the same day of the inspection, in the vast majority of the cases we send the inspection report within one hour after the inspection is completed (depending on the internet connection onsite). Our inspection report will contain picture and videos of the defects found during the inspection and it will also include valuable information about your new home and important maintanance tips. Read your inspection report at your earliest convenience and discuss with your agent the next steps. Feel free to schedule a call with your inspector if you have questions about the inspection. We are here to serve you!