5 Home Inspection Myths You Shouldn’t Fall For

Searching for your perfect home can be exciting and exhausting. After finding a number of homes that were less than perfect, you’ve finally found the one you want and are excited to complete the process of buying your new home. All you need to do is sign the papers and you’re done, right? Wrong! It’s important to wait for the home inspection to be completed, as this can literally make or break the sale of the home.

Total House Inspection in Michigan performs thorough inspections of new home construction, sewer inspections, radon inspections, and more. While a home inspection will reveal a number of items you’ll need to consider before closing on the sale, it can’t solve all of your problems. Continue reading today’s post to learn five home inspection myths you don’t want to fall for.

Myth 1 — Home inspections and home appraisals are the same thing.

These two items couldn’t be more different. A home appraisal is the act of determining how much a home is worth on behalf of the lending institution. Home inspections, on the other hand, focus on the safety of the home, not the value. If the seller offers an amazing appraisal, this doesn’t mean that you should forget about pursuing a home inspection.

Myth 2 — Home inspectors can advise you on purchasing the house.

A home inspector’s job, as we said previously, is to evaluate the safety of a home, not to advise potential buyers on the wisdom of purchasing the home. Avoid asking your home inspector if they would buy the house, because they can only tell you about how well the house functions. Inspectors are hired to provide you with an impartial evaluation of the safety of the home, not to help you determine whether or not you should renegotiate the purchase price.

Myth 3 — It doesn’t matter which home inspector you hire.

Not all home inspectors have the same level of qualifications, which means that you want to be careful when selecting the company you want to work with. Even when a home inspector is licensed, it’s important to know that there are various levels of training and certification, which means the license doesn’t guarantee the qualifications of the person you’ve hired. Make sure you’ve found the best home inspector for your needs by getting referrals and checking references.

Myth 4 — Home inspectors find everything wrong with a house.

As nice as it would be if home inspectors could pinpoint every single thing that is wrong with a home, that is just not feasible. Home inspectors can’t tear into walls to see what’s behind them or take something apart to see why it’s making a noise. They are limited to making visual inspections of readily accessible areas of the home. The good news is that home inspectors are able to use specialized tools like infrared cameras and moisture meters to help them gather as much accurate information as possible.

Myth 5 — Buyers shouldn’t be at the home inspection.

As the potential buyer, if you want to be present during the home inspection, you are absolutely allowed to be there. You don’t need to have any special knowledge about home construction or maintenance in order to be present at the inspection. When you are there, the home inspector can provide more detail than would be included in the report. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions as the home inspector makes observations and notes.

Your Top Rated Local® Home Inspectors in Michigan

At Total House Inspection in Michigan, we strive to provide each of our clients with the detailed information they need to make informed decisions. Whether you’re purchasing an older home or brand new construction, we can perform the inspection you need to determine your next step in the home-buying process. Contact us today to learn more and schedule your home inspection service.