The Importance of Walking Around with Your Home Inspector During the Inspection

A home inspection is one of the most important steps when buying a new home. It helps you to understand how a house is constructed, identify potential problems, the property's overall condition and maintenance recommendations. While a home inspector works hard to check the home, being present throughout the inspection can benefit you as a buyer. Here's why you should walk around with your home inspector during the inspection:

1. Gain a Deeper Understanding of the Home's Condition

A home inspection can find many issues, but it's important to understand what those issues mean for you and your future home and whether they are common for a home of that age. By walking around with the inspector, you'll gain a clearer picture of the following:

Current condition of major systems: The inspector will examine systems such as plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling depending on the season and temperature.

Structure: To identify current issues, you can see the accessible portions of the foundation, walls, and roof.

Maintenance needs: The inspector can highlight areas that need immediate attention or maintenance to prevent further damage.

This hands-on experience allows you to ask questions on the spot and get a detailed explanation of what is being checked.

2. Ask Questions and Get Real-Time Answers

Walking around with the inspector gives you the unique opportunity to ask questions in real-time. Whether you're curious about the severity of an issue, how something is fixed, or what repairs are essential, being there allows you to:

Clarify issues you may not understand.

Learn about common problems in homes like yours.

Get advice on what should be prioritized for repairs.

A home inspection report may have technical terms that are hard to interpret, but being present allows you to discuss the findings directly with an expert.

3. Better Assess the Urgency of Issues

Not all problems identified during an inspection are urgent. Some might be minor repairs, while others could be major concerns. Witnessing the inspection firsthand can help you better understand which problems need immediate attention.

Critical issues: If the inspector identifies a leaking roof or faulty electrical wiring, you'll know how serious the issue is and which trade to contact for repair costs.

Non-urgent repairs: You'll also see which issues are more cosmetic and don't require immediate action.

4. Learn About the Home's Systems and Maintenance Needs

Buying a home is an investment, and maintaining it properly is essential to its longevity. Walking around with the inspector, you'll learn about the home's systems in greater detail. The inspector may teach you how to:

Maintain the HVAC system: Learn how to clean and replace filters properly and know when the system might need servicing.

Take care of plumbing: Understand how to prevent clogs and leaks and what to do if a pipe bursts.

Maintain the roof and exterior: Know how to prevent water damage and ensure the exterior stays in good condition for years.

This knowledge can save you money in the long run by preventing costly repairs.

5. Understand the Home's Long-Term Needs

While the inspection report will provide an overview of the home's current condition, walking through the property with the inspector helps you better understand the home's long-term needs.

Age of major systems: Learn when systems like the water heater, furnace, or air conditioning unit might need to be replaced.

Potential future issues: The inspector might spot wear-and-tear signs that aren't problematic now but could become a concern later.

Understanding these long-term needs can help you budget for future repairs and avoid any surprises down the road.

6. Build a Relationship with Your Inspector

Home inspectors are often independent contractors, and building a rapport with one can be incredibly valuable. By walking with them through the inspection, you can:

Gain their trust: Ask for their advice and learn more about their background and experience.

Request follow-up information: If you need clarification later, you'll feel more comfortable contacting an inspector you've met in person.

A good relationship with your inspector can be beneficial, especially if issues arise after you've moved into the home.

7. Peace of Mind

One of the most important reasons to walk around with your home inspector is the peace of mind it provides. By being involved in the inspection process:

Avoid surprises: You'll be aware of any potential problems before deciding

Make informed choices: You can decide whether to proceed with the purchase, negotiate for repairs, or walk away from a deal.

Confidence in your decision: Being present during the inspection helps you feel confident about your investment and the condition of your future home.

Summary

Walking around with your home inspector during the inspection process is an invaluable experience for homebuyers. It provides the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the property and ask questions. Additionally, it allows you to assess the urgency of issues, learn about long-term maintenance needs, and ensure peace of mind before making one of your life's most important financial decisions. By being there, you'll be better informed and prepared to make decisions that could save you time, money, and potential headaches in the future.

BOOK YOUR INSPECTION TODAY