It takes a trained eye to spot issues in a home, and unless you have years of experience in the building industry, chances are you won’t know exactly what to look for – and that’s okay. A pre-purchase home inspection gives you insight into any major fixes that need to be done, what state your home structure is in, and so much more. Below, we discover the top nine reasons you shouldn’t skip a home inspection – from peace of mind to planning for the future. Let’s dig in!
1. A pre purchase home inspection gives you peace of mind
Being able to purchase and move into your new home without worrying about surprise fixes or safety concerns is invaluable. A pre purchase home inspection, above all, will give you the peace of mind that you’re getting good value for money. Buying a home can be stressful, so why not give yourself a breather and enlist the help of a qualified home inspector. We promise you’ll be thanking yourself for spending that little extra money to know you’re in good hands.
2. Know the full story with a building report
Whether you’re buying a house that’s only a few years old or 20 years old, there will be some minor issues you’ll have to consider fixing. Legally, sellers must disclose problems they know about – but what about problems they’re unaware of?
A pre purchase building inspection will tell you exactly what needs to be fixed, what’s urgent, what’s not urgent, and an estimate of how much repairs will cost. You’ll be able to finalise your purchase knowing exactly what you’re buying.
3. Save for repairs and renovation with a property inspection
Knowing what future expenses to plan for is a huge benefit of a pre purchase home inspection. Even if appliances don’t need to be replaced in the immediate future or before moving in, if you know you’ll need a new water heater or have to fix the air conditioner in the next few years, you can start saving now. With this knowledge, you can also make sure you have room in your mortgage or budget for these expenses.
4. Uncover safety hazards with a property inspection
Knowing you’re purchasing a safe home for you and your family is another invaluable benefit of a pre purchase building inspection. Your qualified inspector will check for asbestos, and weather tightness, mould, carbon monoxide and other dangerous materials. On top of that, they’ll also make sure the air ventilation is good, there are enough smoke detectors, and there are no unstable areas of the home.
5. A builders inspection gives your bargaining power
In today’s competitive market, it’s essential you know you’re getting good value for your money. Besides a pre purchase home inspection giving you peace of mind that there won’t be any significant surprises after you move in, a home inspection can also give you bargaining power to negotiate the price of the home. Once sellers have an interested buyer and the purchase comes down to the last few details, sellers are more likely to drop the price for any unexpected problems rather than finding a new buyer. While you hope your home inspection doesn’t surface any problems, even if it does, you can keep the repairs within your budget by negotiating the price.
6. Building reports allow you to fix problems before moving in
Once you’ve purchased the house and you’re moving in, you’ll want to be able to settle in and not worry about any outstanding work that needs to be done. For any new homeowner, it’s frustrating to get your living room or kitchen all set up, only to discover you’ll need to replace some floor tiles or appliances. A pre purchase home inspection will inform you of immediate repairs and ones that will need to be done in the next few years. This way, you can decide which repairs to tackle before moving in, saving you both time and money.
7. Ensure your new home will be up to code with a house inspection Auckland
All buildings in New Zealand must comply with the Building Code. Sheds, separate garages, and add-ons must also comply with the Building Code, even if they didn’t require a building consent to be built. If you purchase a home and later find that part of your house or any part of your property doesn’t comply with the Building Code, you’re accountable for getting it up to code. A pre purchase building inspection will inform you if any parts of the house were built without consent or if any of the building is not up to code – you can then use this information to make an informed decision about buying.
8. A pre purchase house inspection makes it easier to get a mortgage and insurance
As much as you want to ensure you’re buying a quality home, so do your lender and insurer. Specific issues like structural flaws may cause your lender to prevent you from buying the home, and in this case, you’d either have to seek out a new lender, the seller will have to fix the issues, or you’ll have to walk away. Not all lenders and insurers will require you to get a pre purchase building inspection, but spending that little extra cash on a pre purchase building inspection will give them peace of mind and save you from securing a hefty mortgage on a house with major problems.
9. A building inspection gives you a way out
As we’ve discussed, a pre purchase building inspection can give you peace of mind, help you negotiate, get a mortage easier and help you plan for future fixes. But what if the pre purchase housing inspection turns up something major? If one too many red flags pop up and you start having doubts, a pre purchase housing inspection is your easy way to back out. This is especially true if you’ve put down some sort of deposit to show the seller you’re serious. While these are typically non-refundable, if the pre purchase building inspection uncovers any significant issues, you can get your deposit back.
Choosing your building inspector
If you were on the fence about a pre purchase building inspection, hopefully now you’re fully convinced they’re well worth the time and money. For a building inspector you can trust, reach out to Rob Cane at Fairview Building Inspections. Rob has over 30 years of experience in building and property inspections and offers excellent value for money.
You can trust Rob to write a comprehensive building report and ensure you understand every word of it and how it could affect you in the short and long term. Contact Rob and his team today, and they’ll answer all your questions and get your house inspection started.