Reasons for a Home Inspection in Michigan

Hiring a home inspector is not mandatory when you are buying a house. But hiring a home inspector is one of the best strategies a buyer can have.

It is all too easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a home, there is just so much to do. But it is very important that you hire an inspector before you go under contract. Home inspections are an instrumental part of the home buying process and should not be ignored or taken lightly.

Total House Inspection, your home inspection experts in Michigan, offers the reasons why it is a good idea to get your home inspected before buying it.

Negotiation Leverage

With an inspection report in your hand, you have a huge amount of leverage. You can request the owner fix the problems in the report or pay for them at closing. You can also negotiate the price of the house. Basically, with an inspection report, you are in the driver’s seat so to speak.

Maintenance Costs

Things in your home aren’t made to last forever and they will wear out or break over time. For example, you can expect your water heater to last anywhere from 8 to 12 years, and you might have to have it repaired sometime in between.

When buying a home, it is important that you know the age and condition of all of the components. The amount of money you budget for your home maintenance depends on it.

If the house you want to buy has a furnace 12 years old or older, you can expect a repair or replacement at some point in the near future. This is not necessarily the case for a newer furnace.

With an inspection, you get an idea of what you need to plan for in the next several years. Without an inspection, you have no idea when you might need to deal with a problem with the furnace or water heater.

Safety

An inspection is important to ensure the house you want to buy is safe for you and your family. The inspector will take a close look at gas lines, the electrical system and the detectors that could save your life in the event of a carbon monoxide leak.

They will also check for radon levels in your home to see if they are at safe levels. Radon is an odorless gas that has been linked to lung disease.

Leaks

A new roof can cost upwards to $10,00 and more, it is one of the more expensive maintenance costs of owning a home. If you move in and discover a leak, you will have to pay for the repairs.

The inspector will get up on the roof and make a thorough inspection. They will look for damaged shingles and make sure the flashing is in good order. They will point out any problems they found and make recommendations if there is a problem.

Structural Issues

The home inspector will take a close look at the foundation of your soon-to-be home and determine if it is structurally sound. If there is a problem, it will be in the report. Structural problems are a huge red flag, you don’t want to be stuck with a house that has structural problems. It is a major undertaking having to make repairs.

Cost-Efficient

In terms of what a home inspection costs, it is a lot less expensive than many of the repairs that might have to be done before you move in. Without a home inspection, it could cost you $10,000 to replace the roof. But if the problem was caught before you bought the house, you could have the previous owners cover that cost.

Know What You are Buying

You can’t tell how well a furnace will function just by looking at it. It might be only two years old and look great, but there could be underlying problems. An inspection lets you know what you are buying.

Peace of Mind

An inspection report guarantees that you understand the condition of your home and gives you peace of mind. You will sleep better at night knowing that there won’t be any major surprises when you move into your home.

Before you sing that contract to buy a house, give Total House Inspection a call.