Why You Need a Home Inspector on Your Side


Buying a new home is one of the most costly — if not the most costly — purchases you’ll make in your lifetime. It’s a big decision, and the process itself can be stressful for homebuyers. That’s why it’s important to have good, knowledgeable professionals in your corner, like your realtor and a reputable home inspector. Working with a home inspector is kind of like hiring a house doctor to perform a checkup. The home inspector will examine the house from roof to foundation and everywhere in between, paying special attention to major systems such as plumbing, electrical, and heating. Here are a few reasons you should work with a home inspector:
Ensures Safety
A quality home inspection can detect potential safety issues lurking in your new home, such as radon, carbon monoxide, and mold. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that releases naturally front the ground, sometimes in dangerous amounts. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, behind smoking. If too much radon is detected in a home’s basement, a radon mitigation system can be installed to reduce the radon levels in the home. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that kills nearly 300 people in their homes every year. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in every home. Toxic mold can cause asthma and allergy symptoms in sensitive individuals.

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Predicts Future Expenses
Your home inspector should be able to forecast future expenses or projects your home will need in the upcoming years. For example, the inspector may say the home’s current roof is fine, but will likely need to be replaced in 5 years or so. They should also be able to estimate what these future repairs/renovations to cost you, so you can keep that in consideration when making your decision.

Offers Bargaining Power
Anything the home inspector uncovers that is problematic or requires repair can be used as a bargaining chip when it comes to price negotiations. The homeowner may lower the price of the home to compensate for the expenses you'll be incurring for repairs or offer a credit. Or, the seller may also agree to make the repairs before selling, which should be checked again by your home inspector after completion.

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Provides an Opportunity to Opt Out
A home inspector can detect problems in your potential home that may result in you changing your mind about the purchase. If trouble is discovered is bigger and worse than you imagined — such as needing a whole new roof or if there’s some degree of structural damage — this gives you the opportunity to back out of buying.

When wading the waters of house hunting, it’s smart to have quality, knowledgeable professionals on your side. Nancy Hibler of Karges Realty is here to help guide you through the home buying process, including offering referrals for reputable home inspectors. Contact Nancy today by calling (815) 263-5791 or by emailing nchibler@aol.com.

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