Special offer

5 Reasons to Get a Home Inspection Before Making the Purchase

By
Real Estate Agent with Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, TREC #0492321

You’ve found your dream home. You’re finally getting out of that Houston, Texas apartment as rent rates are on the rise and moving into your new San Antonio home. You’re pre-approved for the mortgage, your offer was accepted, and now the real work begins.

Your offer to purchase may have given you an option period that you paid a few hundred dollars for. The option period allows you to cancel your offer and pay nothing except the dollars you have paid for the option. During this period, the owner can’t make a deal with anyone else, and you have locked in your right to purchase.

Checking the HVAC SystemAt this point, it is necessary for you to get a home inspection, because if you find significant problems that you don’t think can be properly corrected, this is the time to cancel the transaction. The inspection--even though it is only the first step toward closing--is seriously important, and here’s why you should use a professional to conduct it.

You Can’t Tell

A good professional home inspector will have seen scores of homes, and they understand systems and construction. A nine-year-old HVAC system that looks perfectly fine to you may be ready to die tomorrow, and an inspector knows the clues that indicate upcoming HVAC failure.

If all of the lights work in your home, that doesn’t tell you that the electrical wiring is fine, but a competent home inspector will know. Many homes were built by large nationwide construction companies, and just as auto mechanics become experts in understanding what goes wrong in a 2011 Honda Accord, for example, home inspectors may know that the under sink plumbing has issues in a certain type of home they have seen before.

$500 Now May Be Cheap Later

You are going to have to pay for your home inspection, and the fee can be $500 or more. This $500 will look cheap if your house has a termite problem or a bad roof. Again, inspectors can see what you can’t. Just because you don’t see insects marching across the floor doesn’t mean they don’t exist. A skillful drywaller can cover up water leaks due to a bad roof, but a good inspector will know that this was done.

Negotiation

If the home inspection shows major problems, you can threaten to kill the deal unless you can agree upon a lower price since the home’s value may be significantly less if you consider repair issues that the inspector has found.

Owner Can Pay

Alternatively, you can tell the owner to pay for the repairs. This is normal and happens frequently; if the AC is old and iffy, you may get the owner to install a new unit.

Know Exactly What You Are Buying

Many people take a used car they are intending to purchase to a trusted mechanic. That way, problems can be discovered before the purchase is made. This is extremely important in a major purchase like a home. Moving is expensive, closing costs can be formidable, and the last thing you want is to have to replace a major component like a water heater or furnace because you neglected to have a home inspection done by a professional. This is one area where you definitely should not consider DIY.

If you are thinking about buying a San Antonio Home, now would be a great time to contact a professional agent, who can assist you through the home buying process, and you'll be all set to close before school starts. 

 

Comments (7)

Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening  Jerry Newman ,

Great post on why its so important to get an inspection on the home you are purchasing! With school starting in August here in Texas if you're thinking of buying and moving in you better get a making an offer....call Jerry he can make it happen!

Jul 31, 2018 04:45 PM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Thanks for the vote of confidence on my services, Dorie Dillard Wishing You a Great Week!

Jul 31, 2018 05:09 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Anyone thinking of buying a home in your area should call you.

Aug 01, 2018 04:24 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Thanks, Gita Bantwal I appreciate your vote of confidence for my services. Have a Blessed Week!

Aug 01, 2018 08:52 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Jerry,

Home inspections are good for the buyer and seller!  Everyone should insist on one EVERY transaction. 

Aug 01, 2018 12:02 PM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Yes, I insist on all my clients getting a home inspection. It's well worth the investment and cost.

Aug 01, 2018 12:30 PM
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

Most always a necessity even on just built new homes. Very few exceptions like tear down situations or when a wall to wall condo remodel is needed with all new appliances and systems etc. 🏡

Sep 25, 2020 08:46 PM