Buying a home is one of the largest investments most individuals will make. While no single item can guarantee a completely stress-free home purchase, a home inspection can provide some peace of mind to the buyer before they sign on the dotted line.
How long does a home inspection take, and what is the cost?A typical home inspection, based on a 2,000-square-foot home, should take around 2-3 hours. If your home is larger or smaller than 2,000 SF, that estimate may go up or down.
Within a day or two of the inspection, you will receive a written report with pictures, detailing any issues that the home inspector uncovered. Here is an example from one of mine.
Regulations and requirements vary by state regarding what is included in a home inspection. For example, California requires an inspection of energy efficiency as part of the home inspection.
Here are some of the advantages of having a home inspection:
– It may help the buyer in deciding that the property is sound.
– Provides knowledge of exactly what you are purchasing before signing a contract.
– The home inspection may uncover the need for replacement of, or repairs to, wiring, roofing, or other structural concerns.
Can buyers attend the inspection?
Yes. In most cases, you can, and it would be to your benefit! It gives you one more chance to walk around the home and really spend time looking at all the details.