It’s a crucial step in the home buying process. Here are the questions to ask a home inspector.
You’ve made an offer on your dream home, the sellers have accepted it, and now the contract is signed. Congratulations! You are well on your way to homeownership.
There are a countless number of steps from this point until your closing date, and one of the most crucial of those steps is the home inspection. During this process, a qualified professional will come out and thoroughly inspect your home, looking for things you may not know to look for. They’ll get “down and dirty” with the property, checking everything from the electrics to the roof to the plumbing.
This step is so important because their inspection could point out some major issues with the home — issues you would probably never know existed, until things reached a breaking point. A leaky roof, improperly vented spaces or faulty construction could end up costing you a lot of money in the long run.
When you choose a home inspector, be sure to ask them the following questions:
Your inspector’s background
There’s no shortage of qualified, professional inspectors on Long Island. Still, you’ll want to ask any potential inspectors these things as you shop around:
1. What are your qualifications?
2. Have you ever inspected a property like the one I’m buying (single-family homes, two-family homes, townhomes, condos, and co-ops all have different inspection needs!)
3. Are you licensed and insured?
4. How long have you been a home inspector?
The inspection itself
If this is your first time buying a home, you may not be as familiar with the inspection process. Be sure to ask these questions so you can get a sense of how things will go:
1. What do you check during an inspection?
2. Can I see a sample report?
3. Is there anything you don’t check during an inspection?
4. Are there potential issues that you may not be able to catch during an inspection?
5. Can I be present at the property during the inspection?
6. How long do you think the inspection will take?
During the inspection
Remember — your inspector will be checking things you didn’t think to check during your viewing! They may mention certain repairs, or use technical language. Feel free to ask them the following during the inspection process (when they’re able to safely answer questions — if they’re doing something potentially dangerous, like standing on a ladder looking at light fixtures, wait until they’re done:
1. What did you just check?
2. Are these things major issues or minor repairs?
3. Should these issues be addressed before move-in, or do I have time to fix them after closing?
4. How do I properly maintain the roof/HVAC system/septic tank/cesspool? Substitute any other aspect of the house that you’re curious about!
After the inspection
You’ll almost certainly have some questions after the inspection is done. Some may pertain to specific issues with your home, and some may be more general:
1. What’s your overall assessment of the property?
2. Are there any pressing issues that concern you, and can you give me an estimated cost of repair?
3. Would you recommend any specialists come in at this stage? (i.e., electricians, plumbers, etc).
4. What should I be on the lookout for once I move in?
Depending on their answers, you may have room for negotiations with the sellers. For example, if your inspector says the property needs a new roof to the tune of $30,000, that could bring down the sale price, or be a condition that the seller has to meet before closing. Speak with your team (real estate agent, real estate lawyer, and mortgage professional if you have one), to discuss the home inspector’s findings.