Step 12 to Buying a Home: Attending the Home Inspection – What You Need To Know

Step 12 to Buying a Home: Attending the Home Inspection – What You Need To Know

Congratulations on reaching the home inspection stage! This is a crucial part of buying a new home, as it helps ensure your investment is sound. Here’s why attending the home inspection is so important and some tips to make the most of it.

Why Attend the Home Inspection?

Buying a home is a major financial commitment, and you want to be sure your new home is in good condition. While you will receive a written report after the inspection, being there in person allows you to see any issues firsthand and ask the inspector questions. This helps you understand which issues are significant and which are minor.

Tips for Attending the Home Inspection

  1. Duration: Condo inspections take about 2 hours, while single-family homes and multi-unit buildings usually take around 3 hours. Plan to be there for the entire time.

  2. Dress Comfortably: Wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty. The inspector may ask you to look at the basement or attic.

  3. Understand Limitations: Inspectors can only see visible defects. They can’t see inside walls to check plumbing or electrical issues. A clean report doesn’t guarantee no future problems; it just means there are no visible issues.

  4. Ask Questions: If you don’t understand something the inspector explains, ask for clarification. It’s important to know whether an issue is minor or a costly repair.

  5. Bring a Tape Measure: Use it to take room measurements as you might not have another chance before the final walkthrough.

  6. Invite Contractors: If you plan to have work done, arrange for contractors, painters, or floor refinishers to visit during the inspection to give estimates. Please advise us if you’re planning to do this as we don’t want to be distracted from the main purpose of this visit – the home inspection.

  7. Payment: Bring your cash, cheque,  or credit card, as most inspectors require payment at the end of the inspection. Most inspectors that we recommend have a portable payment machine that can accept debit cards. He/She will inform you when he/she sends the inspection guidelines / instruction prior to the home inspection.

  8. Review the Report: Inspection reports are usually emailed within 2 days. If you choose inspectors from our recommendation, reports can be ready the same day and will be sent electronically to you and us immediately so we can review it and discuss any issues we want the seller to address or give credits for.

  9. Focus on Key Areas: The main goals of the inspection are to identify:

    • Safety issues
    • Structural problems
    • Needed repairs for appliances, furnace, AC, etc.

    We’re not there to nitpick about paint colours or minor cosmetic flaws. If you want everything perfect, consider new construction.

  10. Bring a Checklist: Download and bring a checklist to the inspection. Use it to check off items and measure for furniture placement. Take note of the appliance model and serial numbers in the event that the sellers replace it without notice.

Questions?

If you have any questions about your upcoming inspection, don’t hesitate to send us an email. We’re here to help ensure a smooth process!