What to Expect During a Home Inspection

What to Expect During a Home Inspection

One of the necessary parts of buying or selling a home is getting a proper home inspection, which helps secure the sale and gives both parties peace of mind.

I’ll put it this way: without a home inspection, buyers can easily overlook or miss key issues with the house. There can be foundational problems, plumbing issues, and even electrical issues that both the buyer and seller might not know about.

A home inspection is a necessary measure to take for many reasons. But what should you expect when getting a home inspection?

What is a Home Inspection Exactly?

Only a qualified home inspector can give a proper home inspection. The inspector visually examines a house to document the home’s current condition — both the home’s structure and its systems.

The most common scenario for a home inspector to come into play is after a buyer has their offer accepted, at which point they will bring in an inspector. However, it is not uncommon for sellers to be proactive and get a home inspection before listing a home to be as transparent as possible.

What Does a Home Inspector Look For?

Generally, a home inspector will cover primarily visible areas, which includes:

  • Walls, Floors, and Ceilings
  • Windows and Doors
  • Visible Areas of the Foundation
  • Heating and Cooling Systems
  • Electric System
  • Plumbing
  • Roofing
  • Any Attic or Basement Space

Some areas of the home will end up being inaccessible to a home inspector and might require an additional, more specialized inspector. Such nooks and crannies of the house might include sewers and plumbing intricacies, electrical intricacies, material inspection (asbestos, radon, or pest), pools, HVAC systems and sometimes fireplaces.

If you are unsure about any area of the home that wasn’t inspected by a standard home inspection, you are always free to contact additional specialists. You can always supplement your home inspection process until you are satisfied with the result.

How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost?

If you do a quick Google search, you will find that a home inspection in the Phoenix, AZ area can range anywhere from $250-$350. Larger properties or properties with pools or additional special inspections needed (such as septic inspections) will increase the cost of an inspection.

It doesn’t matter if you’re buying or selling, it’s important to have the right people in your corner, just like you want to hire the right home inspector. With over 12 years of experience in real estate, I am proud to be a part of The Sibbach Team, where we pride ourselves on being a market leader. Contact me today for a superior client home buying or selling experience; Elise Fay at 602-329-7782.