When you buy a house, your Midland REALTOR® will explain why it’s important to hire a home inspector – an independent party who comes to check on the house’s systems, structure and more. You can ask your home inspector as many questions as you’d like (most genuinely welcome questions, in fact) so you can understand the process, what you’ll discover and how the inspector’s report can impact your real estate transaction.
So what are you supposed to ask?
Start with these five questions.
5 Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector
You should ask your home inspector:
- What do you check?
- Can I come along?
- What does this mean?
- How do I maintain this?
- What are your biggest concerns, and how much would they cost to fix?
Here’s a closer look at each.
Home Inspector Question #1: What Do You Check?
One of the first things you should ask a home inspector is what he or she does – and does not – check. There are about 1,600 features that inspectors look at, so yours should be able to give you a quick run-down. However, you need to know that there are limits on what a home inspector can examine. (They’re not about to cut a hole in someone’s wall to get a closer look at wiring, for example.) If the home you want to buy has special features, like a swimming pool, a chimney or anything that’s a bit uncommon, you’ll probably have to hire specialized inspectors to check them out.
Home Inspector Question #2: Can I Come Along?
Most home inspectors want their clients to come along – it’s easier for everyone involved. He or she can answer your questions along the way. (There’s a caveat to that: During a pandemic, your inspector might request that you sit this one out.)
Pro Tip: If a home inspector doesn’t want you to come along, find another inspector.
Home Inspector Question #3: What Does This Mean?
When you see something you don’t understand, or when your inspector points out an issue, you can – and should – ask what it means. Don’t be afraid to ask further questions until you understand, either. If your inspector points out a problem, you can also ask him or her if it’s a big deal or something minor; that way, you’ll know whether you need to think a little harder about going through with the purchase (or if you’ll need to use the issue as a negotiation point with the seller).
Home Inspector Question #4: How Do I Maintain This?
Inspectors are pretty accustomed to explaining things to people, so if there’s something in the home that you’re not familiar with, don’t be afraid to ask how to maintain it. Typically, inspectors can give you a basic run-down on a component’s operation while they’re checking its functionality.
Home Inspector Question #5: What Are Your Biggest Concerns, and How Much Would They Cost to Fix?
After your home inspector is finished checking up on everything, you’ll get a complete report – and most inspectors even include photos of issues they discover. You should ask your inspector what his or her biggest concerns about the house are, as well as how much they’d cost to fix. That way, you can weigh whether you’d like to ask the seller to make repairs, take some money off the home’s price so you can fix the issues, or even keep looking until you find a house that’s in better condition.
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