When you’re buying a home, it is often recommended to have a home inspection- but what does a home inspection really mean? People have many misconceptions and perspectives on home inspections. I’ve had buyers ask me what happens if a home doesn’t ‘pass’ a home inspection. Or what if  X,Y,Z all need fixed in order for the bank to accept the home inspection.

People are on the right track, sort of. A home inspection is not required by the bank, it is the buyer’s choice whether they want to pay to have an inspection done or not. Where I think people may get confused is when they have a government backed loan such as FHA, USDA or VA that requires certain requirements be met by the appraiser in order for the bank to lend the money. This is something completely different than a home inspection. Government backed loans have strict safety requirements, and when the home appraisal is done, if things like smoke detectors, handrails or GFCI outlets are missing- the appraiser will flag these items and require they are fixed prior to funding the loan. This process is part of the appraisal as required by the bank, NOT the home inspection.

The home inspection is something that the buyer can opt to have. A home inspection is not meant to provide a laundry list of items to be fixed, but rather it provides an in-depth examination of your future home. The purpose is to give you a better understanding of the home you are going to purchase and what items may need care in the future. The inspector will go through the home and provide an evaluation on as much as they can physically see. They will rate items based on their condition/age and provide feedback if further examination is necessary.  Think of a home inspector like a general practitioner, they are not an expert at all facets of home construction. Instead, they are able to provide a general overview of the home, and recommend you to a specialist if further help is recommended.

No home is perfect and there will always be things noted on the home inspection. Even new construction isn’t perfect. Don’t let the results of the home inspection scare you. There will be many things listed, but it doesn’t necessarily mean there are many things wrong. It is the home inspectors’ job to find and record as much as they can to provide you with an overview. When you buy a home, you need to expect general maintenance. It is all part of home ownership.

Once you review the home inspection, if you have major concerns or deal breakers- this would be something to bring up to your agent. Otherwise, general maintenance is normal and shouldn’t be too alarming. Anytime you are buying a home, I recommend to have money set aside for anything that should pop up. The last thing I want people to do is spend all their money on buying a home, then have no money if something were to need attention.

If you’re buying a home, don’t stress too much over the inspection. After going through many renovation projects myself, there is very little that can’t be fixed. Although, there are things to stay away from in my opinion such as very uneven or sloping floors, homes vacant for years, and flood zones. Sloping floors can be indicative of issues with the floor joists, supports or the foundation. Speaking from experience, it can be expensive to jack up a home and rebuild a foundation. Homes that have been left vacant for a number of years can also incur a boat load of problems. If the home was not winterized properly you could have broken pipes, you could have pest such as termites, or if it has a well and septic system those could be in tough shape without regular maintenance. Those systems can be expensive to replace. Lastly is flood zones. Flood zones are a gamble. If a home has flooded before it takes a toll on the home and utilities. Flood zones also have lower resale value so its not the best investment.

Lastly, when its time for the home inspection - tag along. I always recommend buyers be present. It’s a great time to ask questions and see the home up close. It can also relieve any stress you may have when you see the report. And if you have further questions after reviewing the inspection, there is nothing wrong with talking to the inspector. Most inspectors are happy to answer questions for you. So best of luck and happy house shopping!