What to expect from your Home Inspection when buying a home in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads

In this inside look at what to expect from your Home Inspection in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads we first must give you one simple basic rule! Don't buy a home without a Home Inspection! Home Inspections are great for "peace of mind" or running for the hills and getting out of that deal as fast as possible when you think you might have bought a lemon! With that said, most issues discovered at Home Inspections are easily remedied and simple fixes that just take a little extra time to work out.

Tips: When buying a home in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads always hire a Professional Home Inspector. Home Inspectors that have taken the time and effort to get special designations or have become a member of the National Association of Home Inspectors have invested in their careers. That is always a good sign that you are dealing with a serious professional. But…keep in mind that…obviously any designation or membership is not worth its weight in the wrong hands! References from you real estate agent or friends that have recently bought a home could prove to be valuable. Typically, if your agent is representing you and your best interest their recommendation will be the best. Real Estate agents deal with numerous inspectors monthly and often can suggest 3-5 of the best in the business off the top of their head!

When buying a home in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads you may want to think twice about hiring a friend or a family member to do your inspection. It makes negotiations with the sellers to correct issues discovered by the home inspector much simpler to have an unrelated professional third party perform the inspection. No seller is going to trust the findings of a friend or family member of a buyer to be a non-biased look at the quality of their home. A seller will always think the inspector has a motive other than an objective assessment when he or she knows the inspector is a friend or relative of the buyer. For a smooth flowing negotiation, I recommend a third party pro to do the job!

When buying a home in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads be present at the home when the Home Inspector reviews your report. This is so you can visually see any problems and discuss the possible solutions with the inspector while you are still at the home. This avoids the inconvenience of a return trip. Also being present will help you have a clear picture of the problem when you can see it first hand with the inspector while he explains the importance of his discovery. There is nothing harder for an inspector to do…having to describe a problem or issue over the phone hours after he has left the property! Furthermore, there is nothing harder for a buyer to grasp than an explanation over the phone without any visual representation of the problem or issue as a reference to see!

When buying a home in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads tap into the Home Inspectors experience. Home Inspectors are great resources for home maintenance ideas and preventative solutions to avoid future maintenance issues. A simple tip related to draining water away from the foundation or removing a woodpile next to the home that could attract termites are the priceless types of tips you can expect from a veteran Home Inspector!

When buying a home in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads keep in mind that Home Inspections are for the major systems of the home, not cosmetic elements such as marks on walls or poor paint jobs. Cosmetic issues are best addressed in your initial offer. For example, if you want the seller to paint the gutters…write it into your contract and do not leave it to chance! Read your contract carefully; know what and more importantly, what is not, part of the inspection process. Read your contract thoroughly before you sign the initial offer...once your offer is accepted the terms of the contract are the reference point for condition and repair responsibilities! Never assume anything in real estate...it might cost you! 

So in conclusion, when buying a home in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads always get a home inspection, hire a pro, listen to their advice, know your contract and never assume anything. If you would like a list of the Home Inspectors that we have done business with over the years send us a a note at our Byrd Realty Group web site and we will be happy to help!