least the key to knowing whether your new house will collapse during the first thunderstorm. Ask your buyer’s agent (not the seller’s cousin) for recommendations. Check reviews. Ask questions. The good ones won’t mind explaining why your “charming slanted floors” might actually be a structural issue. Common Home Inspection Mistakes (Please Don’t Be That Buyer) 1. Not attending the inspection: Go. Walk through the inspector's findings, with the inspector. Ask awkward questions. Take notes. This is your best chance to get to know your house on a deeper level—flaws and all. 2. Being afraid to ask questions: Don’t nod politely while the inspector says something like, “This joist is definitely under tension.” Say, “What’s a joist and should I be worried it’s tense?” 3. Not turning on utilities: If the water, electric, or HVAC systems are off, ask for them to be turned on. You’re not buying a museum—you want the plumbing to work . 4. Assuming new builds are flawless: Nope. New homes have problems too. Sometimes they’re just... fresh problems. Get an inspection anyway. After the Inspection: Now What? Best-case scenario? The house is in great shape and you can keep dreaming about throw pillows. More likely? There are a few issues. Maybe a leaky faucet or outdated electrical panel. That’s normal—and often negotiable.
You can:
• Ask the seller to fix issues
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