Congratulations! You’ve found the perfect home with everything you’ve ever wanted and more. While it might be tempting to skip the home inspection as everything looks more than ideal from your point of view, my advice as a real estate agent would be to do the inspection. It will save you more money (and time) in the future.

Think about it this way — when you rent a car, the car rental company usually asks that you do a walk-around the car to see if there are any dings or scratches so you are not held accountable for them when you return the car. This same practice applies to the home buying and selling process, however this inspection costs an extra $200-$400 and is always accompanied by a professional home inspector.

While you might not want to spend the extra cash, this investment could be what saves you thousands of dollars if the inspector finds something hidden, in the attic or under the carpet.

Most home inspections usually start from the top at the roof level and work their way down to the basement. If, for example, the inspector finds a leaky roof, you, as the home buyer, could petition to have this repaired by the seller so it is not coming out of your own pocket. The inspector could also find smaller repairs, like a leaky faucet, and you and your real estate agent could decide to have this go on your bill as it is a small fix and could disrupt negotiation power with the seller.

Keep in mind that an inspection is not just done to save you money and time, but is also a safety protocol. The inspector will test for things like carbon and mold so you are aware of any hazards before you officially sign the home-buying contract.

Lastly, getting a home inspection will provide you with the opportunity to consult with a professional home inspector about the home. Take the time to ask him or her how you can invest better in your home so it stays maintained and safe for a longer period of time. In this sense, see through the eyes of the seller as you are doing the home inspection because one day you might be on the opposite end of the spectrum, looking to sell this home to the next buyer!

Still not convinced a home inspection is the right choice? Contact me today and we can discuss the benefits of doing a home inspection with a professional inspector and real estate agent by your side.