If you plan to buy or sell a home in Dallas, Garland, Plano, or Irving, you must know what to expect from a home inspection and how to prepare for it. A home inspection is a thorough examination of a property’s physical condition and safety by a licensed professional. It is an essential step in the home buying and selling process, as it can help you identify any issues or defects that may affect the home’s value, functionality, or livability. It can also assist you in negotiating the best deal, avoiding costly surprises, and protecting your legal rights. In this blog post, I will explain what a home inspection entails and how it can benefit buyers and sellers.

I will also share some tips and advice on finding and hiring a qualified home inspector, interpreting and responding to the inspection report, and dealing with any potential problems or challenges that may arise from the inspection. As an expert in home buying and selling, I have helped many clients in the area successfully navigate the home inspection process and achieve their real estate goals. I can do the same for you!

What to Expect from a Home Inspection as a Buyer

As a buyer, a home inspection can help you make an informed decision about the property you are interested in. It can also give you leverage to negotiate repairs or credits from the seller or even back out of the contract if the inspection reveals significant unacceptable issues.

Here are some things to expect from a home inspection as a buyer:

How to find and hire a qualified home inspector:

The first step is to discover and hire a qualified home inspector with the experience, credentials, and reputation to perform a thorough and accurate inspection. You can ask your real estate agent for recommendations or do your research online or through referrals. Check the inspector’s license, certifications, affiliations, reviews, and sample reports. You should also interview the inspector and ask about their scope of work, methods, tools, fees, and availability. You should hire the inspector as soon as possible after signing the contract and schedule the inspection within the contingency period specified in the contract.

What to look for in the inspection report and how to negotiate repairs or credits:

The inspector will provide you with a detailed written report that describes the property’s condition and identifies any issues or defects that need attention. The report will also include photos, diagrams, recommendations, and estimates for repairs or replacements. You should review the report carefully and ask the inspector any questions. You should also consult with your real estate agent on how to use the report to negotiate repairs or credits from the seller.

Depending on the severity and urgency of the issues, you may ask the seller to fix them before closing, reduce the property’s price, offer you a credit at closing, or extend the closing date to allow more time for repairs. You should also consider your budget, timeline, and preferences when deciding what to request from the seller. If you and the seller cannot agree on handling the issues, you may have the option to cancel the contract and get your earnest money back.

How to deal with potential issues or defects not covered by the inspection:

The inspection report may not cover everything that could affect the property or your satisfaction. For example, some inspectors may not inspect for pests, mold, radon, asbestos, lead paint, or other environmental hazards. Some inspectors may not inspect for code compliance, permits, warranties, or future maintenance costs. Some inspectors may not inspect for cosmetic defects, personal preferences, or subjective opinions. Therefore, you should be aware of these limitations and do your due diligence on anything important to you or that may affect your health or safety. You should also hire additional specialists to inspect for items not covered by the general inspection.

What to Expect from a Home Inspection as a Seller

As a seller, a home inspection can help you sell your home faster and for more money. It can also assist you in avoiding disputes or lawsuits with the buyer over undisclosed defects or misrepresentations. Here are some things to expect from a home inspection as a seller:

How to prepare your home for the inspection and make a good impression:

The first step is to prepare it for the inspection and make it look its best. You should clean and declutter your home, fix any minor issues or damages that are visible or easy to repair, replace any burned-out light bulbs or batteries in smoke detectors, and ensure all utilities are on. Appliances are working correctly; unlock any doors or gates that provide access to different areas of the property, remove any pets or personal items that may interfere with the inspection, and leave during the inspection unless the inspector or buyer requests otherwise.

You should also provide any relevant documents or information that may help the inspector or buyer, such as receipts, invoices, warranties, manuals, permits, or disclosures for any repairs or improvements you have made to the property.

How to handle the inspection results and respond to buyer requests:

The inspector will provide the buyer with a written report that describes the property’s condition and identifies any issues or defects that need attention. The buyer may then use the report to negotiate repairs or credits from you or even back out of the contract if the inspection reveals significant unacceptable issues. You should review the report carefully and consult with your real estate agent on how to handle the buyer’s requests. Depending on the severity and urgency of the issues, you may agree to fix them before closing, reduce the property’s price, offer the buyer a credit at closing, or extend the closing date to allow more time for repairs.

You should also consider your budget, timeline, and motivation when deciding what to offer to the buyer. If you and the buyer cannot agree on handling the issues, you may have the option to reject the buyer’s requests and keep the contract as is or cancel the contract and relist your property.

How to avoid common pitfalls or legal troubles arising from the inspection:

The inspection report may reveal some issues or defects you were unaware of or did not disclose to the buyer. That can create problems or liabilities if the buyer claims you misrepresented or concealed material facts about the property. Therefore, you should be honest and transparent about the condition of your property and disclose any known issues or defects to the buyer before signing the contract. You must also keep a record of any repairs or improvements you have made to the property and provide it to the buyer upon request. Be sure to comply with any applicable home inspection and disclosure laws or regulations in your state or locality. You should also consult your real estate agent or attorney if you have any questions or concerns about your rights and obligations as a seller.

We can help you!

At Ubicante, we specialize in home inspections that benefit buyers and sellers. Our meticulous inspections help buyers uncover potential issues, negotiate favorable terms, and make confident investment decisions. For sellers, our thorough inspections serve as a preemptive measure to address any issues before listing their property, enhancing the property’s marketability and value. Our team has extensive experience and unparalleled knowledge of the Dallas, Garland, Plano, and Irving markets. Contact us today to discover how we can help you achieve your real estate goals.