What is a Home Inspection? Do I really need one? Who should I hire? Let’s go!
Hey everyone, welcome back! I’m Lindsay, with the Wise Move AZ Team at RealtyONE Group. If you want to stay up to date on all things Anthem and Real Estate then you need to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Pro Tip: You’re also going to want to hit that little bell icon so that you’re the first to know when our new videos are posted every single Thursday!
If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home you may have questions about the inspection process.
As your Anthem, Arizona REALTOR®, I have been involved with a lot of home inspections! Before we jump in, I have just a few housekeeping items. There are a ton of different inspections you can have done on a property. In this video we will be focusing only on the general professional home inspection. I did a video last year about the different inspections you can consider, so feel free to check that out!
Also, at the end of this video I’ll give you access to our cheat sheet: 10 Questions to Ask your Inspector before hiring them, so stick around!
Alright, first things first, what is a home inspection?
It’s a professional inspection of a property to determine it’s condition. Inspections can vary in length, but here in Anthem we find that the inspector typically takes about 3 hours to do a thorough inspection of the property. After the inspection the inspector will typically meet with the buyers to discuss their findings in person, at the property. We strongly encourage our clients to make time for this. This way you can see the issues in person and ask any questions of the inspector, right then and there!
Then within 24 hours or so, they will deliver a written report of their findings and recommendations via email. I cannot stress how important it is to read this report from cover to cover and ask ANY questions you might have! No question is too big or too small.
Inspectors will look at all areas of the home including:
- Structural Components
- Exterior
- Plumbing Systems
- Electrical Systems
- Roofing
- Heating/Cooling
- Garage
- Interior
- Insulation & Ventilation
- Kitchen
- Bathrooms
- Laundry
If they are unable to access any parts of the home they will make note of this. Also, they may recommend further inspections by other trained professionals. For example, if they notice a termite tube at the home (which is VERY common in Arizona), they will recommend that you get a thorough termite inspection done to determine the extent the damage, if any. Or if they see evidence of a leak, they may recommend that you consult with a plumber.
Who gets an inspection?
Typically in Arizona the Buyers, or the Buyers’ Agent, orders the home inspection. However, if you are selling your home and you are worried about problems that may arise when the buyer conducts their inspection, you may opt to have your home inspected prior to listing. This may highlight repairs that will help to make your home easier to sell or to help it sell for more money.
When is an Inspection Conducted?
If you are buying a home you will want to schedule your home inspection as quickly as you can, once you have an accepted offer to purchase the home. In Arizona, unless otherwise negotiated in the contract, you have 10 calendar days to complete all of your desired inspections and give the seller the opportunity to correct any disapproved items. The sooner you get your inspection done, the sooner you can decide if you need further inspections to be conducted and the longer you have to decide how (and if) you want to proceed with the contract.
If you are a Seller and you’ve decided you want to have your home inspected, then I would recommend having this done prior to listing your home. This way your REALTOR® can advertise any recent repairs or upgrades that may help the home to sell faster or for more money. Please note, that it is not very common here for Sellers to have inspections done on their home before listing.
Do you really need a home inspection?
…YES, YES, YES! Okay, that’s just my professional opinion. There is no legal obligation to have the home you are planning to buy inspected, but we can’t stress the importance enough. Yes, it may cost you a few hundred dollars, but that will be money well spent if they identify potentially costly repairs that will need to be done in your future. Wouldn’t you want to know if the roof is leaking? We take time to read reviews before picking a restaurant to eat at, why on earth wouldn’t we take the time to thoroughly inspect and investigate the quality of our future home before buying. No inspection is ever going to come back saying that the house is perfect. NEWS FLASH: no house is perfect. But the important thing is that you ensure any issues are either resolved by the seller or that they are issues you are willing to deal with once you buy.
Who should you hire?
Good question! If you’re like most people you don’t buy homes very often, which means you may not even know a home inspector. In many cases you can ask your REALTOR and they will be able to recommend someone they work with often and trust. You can also ask friends, family, and colleagues who have recently purchased property in your area. If that doesn’t work for you, or if you want to make sure you are hiring the best inspector for the job [and who doesn’t], then you are going to click on the link for our cheat sheet of ’10 Questions to Ask a Home Inspector Before Hiring Them’.
If you found this information helpful then drop me a comment below saying ‘helpful’!
And last but not least, if you or anyone you know if looking to buy or sell their Anthem or North Phoenix home, please give us a call. It’s always this right time to make a wise move with the Wise Move AZ Team.
See YOU, on the next video!
