Summary:
Before closing on a home, ask key questions during the inspection to ensure you fully understand the property’s condition and can plan for any necessary repairs. These questions help you make an informed decision and potentially negotiate with the seller.
Main Points:
- Ask about specific concerns based on your observations.
- Clarify what the inspector will and won’t inspect.
- Request to accompany the inspector during the inspection.
- Identify standout issues with the home.
- Ensure the inspection report is thorough and easy to understand.
- Inquire about post-move-in priorities.
There’s a lot on your plate when you’re about to buy a house. From getting your financing in order to final negotiations with the seller, there’s so much to think about.
Here’s a piece of advice from experienced home inspectors: take your inspection seriously. Use it as an opportunity to make sure this house is right for you and your family.
Home inspections are vital because they help you understand the true state of the home you want to buy. In just a few hours, your inspector can gather the information needed to help you answer questions like:
- What’s the overall condition of the home and its major systems? Are there any red flags?
- Are there hidden issues that could go beyond your budget to repair?
- What projects do you need to prioritize when you move in?
- Can I negotiate repairs paid for by the seller, or a lower price on the home due to existing issues?
To make the most of this opportunity, there are certain questions to ask your home inspector during the inspection. Here’s our list of home inspector questions to ask.
List of Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector for Peace of Mind
1. Ask About the Specific Concerns You Have on Your Mind
This isn’t exactly a question, but it deserves to be at No. 1 on our list.
Every home is different. You’ve had the opportunity to tour the home you want to buy, speak with the owners, and learn about its history.
Qualified home inspectors will thoroughly examine every property, of course. But, if you have specific concerns based on your observations during the buying process, bring them up! It’s always a good idea to mention a potential issue you’ve noticed to your inspector and ask them to take a closer look during the inspection process.
2. What Do You Inspect? What Don’t You Inspect?
These two questions to ask a home inspector help you fully understand the process. They’re simple asks that confirm what’s been explained when scheduling the inspection. The answers to these questions can also remind you to set up more specialized testing or examination if you feel it’s needed.
Every home inspector who knows what they’re doing can answer both questions confidently and fully. If your inspector refuses to answer one or both, it’s probably a sign to work with a different inspection company.
3. Can I Come with You During the Inspection?
A dependable, experienced, and qualified home inspector will say “yes” without hesitation, as Realtor.com explains. A good home inspector won’t shy away from you coming along. They will point out that they’ll need to concentrate or pay extra attention to safety needs at times, but that’s a big difference from saying “no.”
4. What Issues with this Home Stand Out to You?
This question can help you prioritize certain repairs and maintenance after moving in. When you buy a home, it’s usually for the long haul. Making time-sensitive or major fixes early on will help you keep your house in better overall condition.
Keep in mind that most people aren’t fully committed to buying a home when the inspection occurs. What if the answer to this key question to ask your home inspector is long and detailed, or full of necessary and expensive repairs? It’s probably time to negotiate with the seller or reconsider your purchase.
5. What Do You Include in Your Report? Is it Easy to Understand?
A thorough, informative, and understandable inspection report is a valuable guide to the overall state of the home you want to buy. On the other hand, a report that skimps on the details or is full of confusing jargon and abbreviations can’t provide much insight or guidance.
Ideally, your inspector should offer a sample report ahead of the actual inspection. That way, you can see what’s included, how it’s written, and what kind of guidance or suggestions are included for specific issues. At Titan Inspection Services, we share sample home inspection reports so you know what to expect.
6. What Do I Need to Do Once I Move In?
While your report should explain if any issues are particularly time-sensitive, it never hurts to ask your inspector for their opinion directly. Asking this question and making note of the answer can help you set your priorities and avoid major issues after moving in.
Exceptional Home Inspections in Western Washington State
Titan Inspection Services goes above and beyond for home inspections. From the level of training and experience required of our inspectors to providing detailed yet understandable and actionable inspection reports, we’re here for you.
