What You Need to Know About Home Inspections

An interview with DwellHop Team Member and former home inspector Leo Alhambra reveals “Buyer Beware” should be at the forefront of any home purchase.

This week’s blog is a discussion with Leo Alhambra, a former home inspector and current real estate agent with the DwellHop Real Estate team.  Read on to learn how home inspections can protect both buyers and sellers, and to understand what a home inspection entails.

Q: Leo, what role does a home inspection play in the buying process?  Who does the inspector work for, and what is the inspector’s goal?

The home inspection is a way for a prospective buyer to understand the overall “health” of the home they’re buying.  The home inspection can give insight from what maintenance needs to be done (and continued) to defects that would make the home unsafe for a buyer and those living there.  These defects would determine whether the home buyer would continue in the buying process or address any issues with the Seller regarding the inspection contingencies in the offer to purchase.

The Home Inspector works solely for the party that hired him/her to conduct the inspection.  The inspector’s findings and recommendations are documented in a report that is the property of the hiring party.

Q: What do home inspectors look for?  Can you please describe the inspection process?

A home inspector has a comprehensive and specific list of items and home systems that will be visually inspected.  This is a non-invasive inspection; they are looking for any wear or damage to the home and its systems.   An inspection can take anywhere from two hours to three ½ hours depending on the size of the home.  Critical areas of inspection include the home’s exterior, the structure, foundation and framing, windows, walls, doors, ceilings, the electrical system, plumbing and basement.  The inspector will write a report about their findings which will go to the homebuyers.  Based on the report, the homebuyer can withdraw the offer, renegotiate the offer, or ask the Seller to fix specific issues.

Q: How can home inspections benefit sellers?

If you’re selling your home, you may want to get ahead of a Buyer’s home inspection by getting a pre-listing inspection.  This inspection will reveal any potential problems and alert you to any necessary repairs needed.  The inspector will also include their recommendations to their findings. This will give you ample time to complete any repairs before your home is listed. You can include the report in your home listing to make it stand out to potential buyers.  However, you may have to disclose potential issues or unfavorable findings if these issues are not fixed or resolved.

Q: As a real estate agent, what are your suggestions for buyers who consider waiving a home inspection to write a “cleaner” offer without this contingency?

I believe a homebuyer must do their due diligence to educate themselves about being a homeowner.  Regardless of the age of a home there will always be maintenance and projects to keep your home in tip top shape while you live there and when you decide to sell your home in the future.  As a former home inspector, I know that the home inspection is all too important for the homebuyer to know what potential issues may exist or may arise. These potential issues can cost the new homeowner hundreds, if not thousands of dollars to repair or resolve.  As a Realtor, I wouldn’t recommended that a homebuyer not get a home inspection for the sake of a “cleaner” offer unless they are willing and have the means to take on any potential issues.  The adage “Buyer Beware” should always be at the forefront of any purchase.

Post authored by Lora Bray and Leo Alhambra.

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