expensive and time-consuming to order a home inspection and wait for its completion, but the truth is that it will cost you more in the long run if you don’t have an inspection done and serious issues with the home are found later, when it’s too late to go back on the deal. You need a home inspection to know what exactly you’re buying and what to expect from your property in the future. Note: Please don’t confuse the house inspection with house appraisal. These are very different, though both very important, parts of the home-buying process. The inspection will clarify the current state (condition) of the house, not what it’s actually worth (value), the appraisal will determine the latter. WHEN TO HAVE A HOME INSPECTION DONE Home inspections are usually done as part of the closing process. Most sellers and their listing agents will have their own home inspection assessments done, and present you with the report, but for buyers it’s never recommended to go ahead with making an offer and drawing up a contract without ensuring you order your own home inspection first. You should inspect the property yourself, along with the home inspector and your agent, before making everything official, with a critical eye, even if you truly believe it’s the house of your dreams and you’ve made an offer that’s been accepted, and you’re deep into the closing process. Why is this important? One reason is that you must check to ensure that nothing has changed about the condition of the property after the purchase agreement, which stipulates the current condition of the home, has been drawn up. The reason is that if something has, in fact, changed, you will have to notify your agent and start the closing process from square one.
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