Importance of Inspecting a House Before Making an Offer

By Ruth on July 11, 2014 in household
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houseYou have spent several months looking at new houses on the market. You finally found a house that you would love to live in. You may be tempted to sign close the deal and move in. However, it is very important that you have the house carefully inspected first. Here are some things that you should do.

Do Not Be Afraid to Get a Housing Inspection

Many people are afraid to get a housing inspection, especially in a seller’s market. They are worried that the seller will try to back out and look for another potential buyer. This a perfectly valid fear, because sellers know that housing inspections will only work against them. They could turn up some problems that will cause the buyer to get cold feet or reduce their offer.

However, you should always have the property inspected before making an offer. The seller would prefer that you made the offer right away, but they will need to understand and respect the decision to wait for an inspection. You will have a more difficult time revising the offer afterwards if you find problems with the house.

What You Need to Think About When Having an Inspection

You need to make sure that you are aware of any problems before making an offer on the house. Here are some things that you need to be aware of when having an inspection conducted.

Avoid Conflicts of Interest

You want to make sure that the housing inspector is entirely on your side. Avoid taking referrals from the seller. You will also want to find a real estate agent that is committed to working with you, such as the experts at RE/MAX Detroit.

Get a Second Opinion if Contested

Housing inspections can be subjective. One inspector may tell you that something is a serious problem, while another may feel that it is a nonissue. This is rarely the case, but you will need to keep it in mind if the seller protests the recommendations. You may want to ask for a second recommendation to avoid any discord, while also making sure that you aren’t overpaying for a property that may be in need of repair.

Don’t Make the Seller Skittish

Some properties are on the market for a long time before they are sold. The sellers are eager to find someone to close the deal. If you are serious about buying a house, then you need to make sure they understand that you are committed to buying the house if everything looks good.

You want to give them their assurances that you will buy. You may even be willing to give them a small deposit to keep it on the market for a while. You also want to have the inspection completed as soon as possible. They will probably start looking for other buyers if you make them wait more than a week to have someone come start looking at it.

About the Author

RuthView all posts by Ruth
Ruth Hill is an entertainment journalist, digital media strategist, and creative professional who believes in the power of storytelling to inspire, encourage, and connect people. With years of experience interviewing actors, filmmakers, authors, and other creative professionals, Ruth has developed a passion for discovering the stories behind the people who bring entertainment to life. Her interviews and reviews reflect her appreciation for authentic storytelling, meaningful performances, and the creative individuals working both in front of and behind the camera. Through her digital media business, Media From the Heart, Ruth works with actors, filmmakers, authors, and organizations to help them connect with audiences through social media strategy, video production, YouTube optimization, website development, and digital marketing. A Washington State native, Ruth lives in the Yelm area and is the proud mother of an adult daughter. A former music educator and lifelong creative, she continues to pursue her passion for music, writing, and the arts. At the heart of everything Ruth does is her Christian faith, which inspires her commitment to seeing the best in others,

1 Comment

  1. Birdiebee July 12, 2014 Reply

    I have had home inspections for the two homes I have bought and with both of these inspections, the inspector missed some important details. The first home the heating system did not work by the time I moved into the home from out-of-state and I had to pay to have a new heating system put in. For the second home, the inspector missed that the hot water tank was emitting carbon monoxide and our family had to endure the carbon monoxide poisoning. As well, the inspector did not discover that there wasn’t any water spout outside the home to water one’s lawn. I do recommend a home inspector on all home purchases but individuals should check with their friends and family to get a recommendation of an inspector.

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