Is A Home Inspection Really Necessary?

( A Buyer Must-Read)

Often purchasers question whether or not a home inspection is really necessary. Our response is usually, "No, if you are accustomed to buying 'a pig in a poke.'" In other words, would you make what is probably the largest single purchase that you will ever make without knowing the condition of that purchase, or what that purchase may actually cost you in improvements and repairs in the next several years.

Knowing the true condition of a home before settling on the purchase may cause one of the following reactions:

(1) You may want to adjust your offer to offset for the costs of theh repairs noted in the home-inspection report.

(2)  You may want to require the seller to make those improvements before settlement, or

(3)  If neither of the above is accomplished satisfactorily, you may choose to continue searching for a more suitable home.

Potential purchasers will often comment that they have walked through the home under consideration and they didn't see "much wrong." We have heard this comment on occasion only to find the following issues where there didn't appear to be much wrong with the home:

(1)  The residence had a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok circuit breaker electrical  panel which has been pronounced a fire hazard in several jurisdictions across the U.S.

(2)  The home has been remodeled  from the exterior wall inward (contractor stated, "just like a new home"), only to find that ungrounded electrical circuits throughout the structure had not been replaced. Grounded receptacles had been installed, giving the apearance that all of the outlets were indeed grounded when they were not.

(3)  The purchasers were not aware that the residence had experienced termite infestations, had been treated, but continued yearly inspections by the exterminator  had been cancelled years earlier.

(4)  The ridge vent had been sealed with insulation material causing humidity levels in the attic to reach levels conducive to mold growth.

(5)  Numerous electrical splices had been made in the basement, none of which were enclosed in approved splices boxes.

The list is nearly endless as to conditions that have been discovered after a cursory walk-through by the purchaser and a pronouncement that there "wasn't much wrong,"

The cost of a certified home inspection by inspectors with more than 40 years experience in construction and who are required to meet continuing education standards is the most economical expenditure you will ever make, when the inspection cost is compared to the purchase price for the home. As one client commented when we quoted a home inspection cost for a home which he was purchasing, "that's pocket-change when compared to the $400,000 that we are paying for the home."

Often we hear rationalization that the home under consideration is "almost new." This is no guarantee that there are not structural or system defects of which the buyer should be aware in an almost new home. It is for this reason that we conduct new construction inspections. Recently, a retired builder ordered a home inspection on a new house under construction which he was purchasing for his family. In this instance, we have a contractor who is surely knowledgeable of construction standards and codes. However, since this was going to be a residence for his family, he wanted an expert opinion as to how his house had been constructed. Several defects and issues were reported by our inspector, which the contractor-purchaser required to be corrected before settlement.

A purchaser buying a home without a certified inspection is literally purchasing that "pig in a poke." They are hoping for the best; they are hoping that the representations made by the seller are accurate and honest, and that the realtor's primary interest is not just the commission on the sale.

It is often said that with this huge purchase (home), closing costs and other associated expenses, "I can't afford the cost of a home inspection." We would respectfully suggest that with this sizable purchase is not going to be a source of continued  expense in repairs and improvements that were never expected and cannot be afforded.

The health and well-being   of your family and your future household budget may well depend upon a quality home inspection. Let InspectRite make you more comfortable with your anticipated home inspection. We are always glad to discuss you concerns without charge. Give us a call.

InspectRite Services, Inc.

Inspect Once, Inspected Right

(304) 222-7573