As you get ready to put a large chunk of your hard-earned savings into your first home, a mix of excitement and fear takes over. To make the process less stressful and give yourself peace of mind, completing a home inspection is a must-do. But where to start, who to use, what to look for, and how to negotiate any issues found? This simple guide removes the guesswork of pre-purchase home inspections for first-time buyers.
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Never waive your right to a pre purchase house inspection
Buying your first home is incredibly exciting, and once you have an offer on the table and your new home within reach, it’s all too easy to skip a home inspection. The biggest mistakes first home buyers can make are looking at their new home with rose-coloured glasses and turning a blind eye to obvious issues.
A home inspection will take all the guesswork out of purchasing a new home, inform you of any underlying issues, and help you budget for immediate and future repairs. Considering a home inspection fee ranges between $400 and $1000, it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.
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Choose a building inspector with good referrals
Finding a home inspector you know you can trust to give an unbiased opinion and thoroughly inspect your property can take some asking around. A simple online search may come back with plenty of home inspectors near you, some charging significantly less than others, but never go for just the cheapest option. Take a look at what’s included in the report, how experienced the inspector is, and if they have a good reputation around town.
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 will ensure you understand every word of your comprehensive building report.
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Decide your building report deal breakers in advance
Before your home inspection, be sure to sit down and figure out exactly how much you’re willing to spend on repairs and how much work you’re willing to put into the new home. As we mentioned, it’s easy to turn a blind eye to issues, especially ones that don’t need to be fixed right away.
However, after the honeymoon stage wears off, make sure you’ll still be financially happy you decided to go through with the purchase. While you’ll be able to negotiate the price of the home for larger repairs, the cost of smaller repairs often goes unnoticed and can quickly add up if you’re not careful.
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Accept the home won’t be perfect
A home inspection report will rarely come back without any minor issues. Every house has its quirks, and your home inspector’s job is to point out things that are current issues and things that could become an issue. That deck you love may need to be replaced in a few years, and the floor that looks brand new may need some TLC, and that’s okay.
Go into your home inspection with an open mind and a set budget, and you’ll avoid the risk of using your emotions to decide to go through with the purchase.
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Ensure you read and understand your builder’s inspections report fully
For starters, it’s essential to be at your home inspection if possible. Your inspector will be able to explain what he’s seeing, so when you get your report, you’ll have a much better idea of what’s on it. Once you get the official report, be sure to take the time to read through it thoroughly and make notes on what you don’t understand or have questions about. Next, go over the report with your home inspector so they can clarify any questions and give you a good idea of what issues are of concern and which are more of a heads up.
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Know that your building inspection doesn’t cover everything
Your pre-purchase home inspection will give you an excellent overview of the condition of the house and any major structural issues you should be aware of. On the other hand, a home inspection doesn’t look for things like spotty internet service, faulty sprinkler systems or bad plumbing. Most things your home inspector doesn’t check out can be noticed with a bit of poking around, but if you sense your plumbing or electrical is off, get a professional opinion. The cost of an inspection will always be less than a major fix.
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Use your pre purchase inspection report smartly to negotiate your offer
Once you’ve received your comprehensive home inspection report, it’s time to tackle the conversation with your agent or seller. Remember, not everything listed on the report can be and should be brought to the seller’s attention. The seller will not cover normal wear and tear and minor fixes, so don’t waste your time and energy on these.
Instead, focus on significant issues and use your estimated repair costs to negotiate a lower purchase price or ask the seller to fix the issues before closing on the property. In today’s market, asking for unnecessary repairs can cause the seller to choose a different buyer, so stick to major issues and be clear about what you want.
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Get major repairs done and re-checked before moving in
Once you and your agent or seller have come to an agreement about repairs or a cost reduction, you’ll likely be getting anxious to move in. However, a big mistake first time home buyers make is to move in before repairs are done and signed off.
Instead, have the repairs done before moving in and ensure the repairs are re-inspected by your home inspector. You’ll have the peace of mind that the repairs were done correctly and to your standard, and then you can move in without worrying about disruptions.
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Keep your pre purchase building inspection paperwork
The hard work has already been done. You’ve completed your home inspection, got the repairs done, and you’re ready to move in. The last tip we offer is to keep a record of your inspection and the work that has been done. If other problems arise, you’ll be happy to have the report to reflect on. And if the report has information about repairs that’ll need to be done in the future, it’s good to have the details on hand.
What are you waiting for? Sign up for your house inspection Auckland today!
Reach out to Rob Cane at Fairview Building Inspections today for a free consultation. 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 and how it could affect you in the short and long term. Contact Rob and his team today; they’ll answer your questions and schedule your house inspection.