How to: Make the Most of Your Home Inspection

According to REALTOR.org, 77 percent of home buyers had a home inspection prior to purchasing their home. That means the majority of home buyers are making smart decisions before buying. But let’s say you have just received the results of your home inspection—now what? With all the excitement of the house purchase and the new move, many homeowners make the mistake of putting the results of their home inspection aside, thinking they will make necessary repairs later. However, they should be doing the opposite, as home inspection results are a great starting point for making necessary repairs.

Electrical Checks

Don’t take any chances with electrical systems. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), problems with electrical systems are the second most common type of problem reported nationwide. Your home inspection report should include a thorough check of your home’s wiring, circuit breaker, water heater, appliance hook-ups and lighting fixtures. Be particularly cautious if you have an older home that may have been designed under an outdated electrical code that is no longer up to par. Even if no major electrical problems show up on your report, installing safety devices such as a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) or arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) as a precaution is always a smart move.

Safety Repairs

Issues with home safety reported in your inspection should never be overlooked, and many things—radon, lead paint and asbestos—should be removed before your family moves in.

Infrastructure Issues

If your home inspector found problems with the frame or groundwork of your house, these problems should be addressed immediately. Problems like a leaky roof or basement may seem like something that can be dealt with later, but once mold or mildew sets in, it can be problematic to remove, and the future potential for water damage could set you back thousands of dollars. It’s always a smart idea to re-roof and repair and seal any cracks in your infrastructure before you begin to move your things into your new home. Areas of entrance—windows, doors and garages—are places that require special attention, as they are the most common areas that let in damaging moisture.

Negotiate

Don’t forget that your home inspection report is a great point of negotiation. You may be able to ask for a lower price or request that some of the major repairs—such as a faulty wiring system or leaky roof—be made on the seller’s dime before you move in.