What to Expect from Your Home Inspection
- juliegrandon
- Apr 16, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 4, 2021
A home inspection is a professional assessment of the condition of a property you are considering buying. When done properly, the inspector will provide accurate information that enables you to make an informed decision on whether or not this is the house for you. Having the inspection is also a great way to learn all about the house and how to maintain it.
The Buyer of the inspected property should attend and one other adult (not related to the Buyer) is welcome to accompany the inspector during their inspection. You'll want to have your agent with you, too, because they can help explain things as they go, and this way they'll be fully aware of all the information in case there is to be discussion with the Sellers in regards to what is found. You can use this article for questions about how it's done and what to expect.
You have three choices when you are making your offer to purchase.
1. Home Inspection Contingency with right to negotiate
2. Home Inspection Contingency with right to Void only
3. Having no Home Inspection Contingency
When you include one, the Home inspection Contingency, it usually has a deadline of approx. 9 days. Voiding and having no home inspection is almost never recommended. In many situations, and if it is a market favoring the sellers it can be helpful to have your inspection as void only. If you go with the right to negotiate, you are able to go back to the seller to either ask them to make repairs or financial concessions. This gives you the right to get out of the contract, but gives the seller the assurance that you will not come back with a list of items to fix or asking for money money off, and they will be more comfortable accepting your offer knowing that they will have a much easier process. In this case, after the inspection is over, you decide if any issues are worth it for you to take on after the purchase and decide if the deal is still equitable. If you find major issues, such as structural concerns, you can simply back out of the deal and receive your earnest money back in full.
Pretty much anything that the inspector can get to will be looked at. The inspection will typically take 2 to 3 hours for a standard 2 to 5 bedroom condo or house. Larger properties, 8,000 to 10,000+ square feet will be closer to 5 to 6 hours. Plan ahead!
Most inspectors will get the report back to you and your agent in about a day and a half or two days. So from scheduling through getting your report and having the time to review, 7 days gives you just about exactly the amount of time you'll need for it to work out for you.
Because you have about 7 or 9 days to schedule, have, receive the report, and make a decision, it's important to act fast. Get some referrals from your Realtor and friends and call them to see who is the best fit, and who can get it done and get you the report quickly. You'll want at least a day to process and review the report to be able to feel comfortable with you decision.
Here are some of my recommendations:
In Virginia and DC:
Jim Vaughn - Owner/Home Inspector at Home Authority, LLC
In DC and Maryland:
Austin Callahan - Owner/Home Inspector at Callahan Inspection Services LLC Callahaninspectionservices.com
In VA | DC | MD:
Andy Ling - Owner/Home Inspector at Top Home Inspections
703.209.4917
Here's my Buyer's Guide to help you on your way as well: DOWNLOAD HERE
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