Home buying checklists mention house inspections, but few buyers realize their immense value. Thorough inspections protect you from hidden issues that even current owners may not be aware of.
Don’t think of an inspection as an inconvenience, but rather as a prime opportunity to do the following:
- Add Contingency to Your Contract. Make your purchase offer contingent on a professional house inspection to uncover defects. This allows you to renegotiate or walk away if major issues are found. Don’t skip this clause – without it, you might be penalized for backing out of the deal, even if the inspection reveals dealbreakers.
- Isolate Potentially Costly Problems. Being forewarned is being forearmed. A house inspection will pinpoint whether there are severe issues requiring costly repairs or upgrades once the sale is complete. Advance knowledge of these major flaws will allow you to adjust the offer price accordingly or walk away from a potential money pit.
- Guarantee Your Safety. While aesthetic fixes can wait, safety issues demand immediate resolution. House inspections identify safety hazards like fire risks, mold, broken railings, or asbestos. Unless all these dangers spotted by the inspection are addressed, you’ll have valid reasons for delaying or backing out of the transaction.
- Gain a Negotiating Advantage. Armed with an inspection report, you can request that sellers make repairs, offer closing credits, or lower the asking price to offset future costs. Many sellers will end up compromising with you to avoid contract delays. Therefore, ignoring a house inspection is forfeiting this leverage.
If you’re planning to buy a new home in the Naples, Florida, area, schedule a professional house inspection with our certified experts today. Our thorough and unbiased inspection report will give you the insight to make a confident, informed buying decision. Get in touch with us today.