Homes inspections can oftentimes be an overlooked process.  Buying a house will most likely be the most expensive purchase you ever make, so make sure you take the time to do it right.  An inspection can cost a couple hundred dollars, but that can be money well spent to save you potentially thousands – if not more.  During the inspection, buyers usually have options to either cancel the sale, get the seller to fix the issues, or get a credit for the repairs needed.  We deal with a lot of investors who are used to doing heavy remodeling. However, moving into your primary residence is another story, especially if you are not handy.  Here are a few tips to help with the process.

1. Hire a pro:  You want to hire a licensed home inspector and make sure they have good testimonials from other clients.  A simple Google search will get you a lot of results, but having a word of mouth referral is usually better.
2. Attend the inspection:  A lot of times buyers will leave this work up to the realtor.  That can be a mistake.  A home inspection usually lasts a few hours.  Why not go and really get to see all the nooks and crannies of your soon-to-be new home?  It’s best to be there in person so that the inspector can point out any defects to you on site.  It’s much easier to comprehend in person vs. relying on a report.
3. Make a list: Once you know the repairs needed, make a list and figure out all the costs to bring them up to working order.  This will give you a good estimate of what you’ll need to spend after closing or give you more power to negotiate to get everything fixed by the seller prior to closing.  If it’s just too much to tackle and the seller isn’t willing, you might have the option to just walk away.  Check your contract and talk to your realtor.
4. Consider additional testing: The add-ons add up, but can be worth it.  In addition to the whole house inspection, you can usually pay extra for a mold and radon test.  A lot of times this is overlooked so talk to your inspector about it.  Both mold and radon can be present without actually seeing it.

Going through the home inspection can be one of the biggest steps forward getting you into your new home and making you more comfortable with the sale. If you need a recommendation of an inspector, please feel free to email me.

Gabe Mellein was voted a Top Real Estate Agent – Exceptional in Service and Overall Satisfaction by Gulfshore Life Magazine in 2012 and 2013.  He is the broker of Gulf Pointe Properties, Inc and has over 9 years experience in the SW Florida Real Estate Market.  He is a member of The Naples Area Board of Realtors, Bonita Springs – Estero Association of Realtors, Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach, The Florida Association of Realtors, The National Association of Realtors, and is nationally certified in Feng Shui for Real Estate.  Need real estate help?  Please contact Gabe at:  239.825.2234, Gabe@GulfPointeProperties.com  or www.GulfPointeProperties.com