What Is a Home Inspection?

Home inspections are one of the crucial aspects of the home buying cycle. But that doesn’t mean they’re pleasant. Most first-time buyers view inspections as a nerve-wracking experience, and one of the most tedious most sellers encounter.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at the home inspection process, including some concerns like “how long is a home inspection?” Then, we’ll share an alternative that lets you avoid home inspections entirely.

What is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is an evaluation of a property that’s up for sale. The aim is to look for any potential issues, such as areas that need to be replaced or repaired. It’s also done to check if the property complies with the safety and building codes of some states. It’s carried out by a home inspector, who is a professional trained to spot issues and problems. 

The process can be initiated by either the buyer or the seller. Home inspection for buyers happens after the seller accepts the offer, but before the deal is closed. The seller sometimes does a home inspection before he or she puts the property up for listing, to help them determine how much to price it, based on the findings.

What happens after home inspection depends on the results of the home inspector’s report. If there’s a long list of issues with the home, buyers can choose to renegotiate the deal or opt-out entirely. What happens often, though, is that the seller is requested to fix the issues before turning it over to the buyer.

How Do Home Inspections Work?

To give you an idea, home inspectors are hired then typically paid after they complete the inspection of the home.

They will begin by going through each section of the house, taking detailed notes and photos of each area he or she sees. Most are very receptive to questions or comments if you need clarifications on specific areas. This is not only useful for the buyer but the seller as well, especially for areas you haven’t thought of.

Home inspectors will focus their attention on critical structural and possible safety hazards of the house. They often won’t comment on the visual or aesthetic aspects of the property, unless it’s a sign of an underlying problem.

After the inspection, the home inspector will then send a detailed report to both the buyer and seller. 

How to Prepare for a Home Buying Inspection

Preparing for a home inspection is a crucial thing sellers should do to increase the odds of a good result. It won’t cover up glaring issues like leaks and missing shingles. But you can do so much to clean up unnecessary things that might end up unfavorably on the inspector’s report.

Clean your house as thoroughly as you can. Replace filters if you have an HVAC system. Check your sink for clogs, then use a drain cleaner to unclog them if you can. If possible, you should also replace broken windows or door screens.

You can also speed the inspection process along by making sure the inspector has easy access to critical areas. Unlock your electrical panel or water heater, and make sure to lock away pets in your home, if any, as they can be a disturbance.

Additional Home Inspection FAQs

How long does a home inspection take?

This depends on the size of your home. On average, inspections on medium-sized houses should take no more than 3 – 4 hours to complete, unless big issues are found.

What do home inspectors look for?

Home inspectors are very thorough and have a detailed checklist of significant areas to watch out for. These often include the roofing, plumbing, and electrical wiring – three of the most common sources of issues in houses. They will also check for structural problems, as well as the presence of pests or molds.

What happens if you fail?

It’s important to realize that a buyer inspection of your home is not a pass or fail thing. It’s an objective assessment of your property. What happens after that depends entirely on your negotiations with the buyer. You can repair the issues or sell it at a lower price.

How to Avoid a House Inspection

In the typical buying process, it is unconventional to not go through a house inspection. A lot of buyers, especially in a buyer’s market, will require it. That’s understandable because no one wants to buy a property with underlying problems that can cost them thousands down the line.

If you’re anxious about a home inspection adding to your closing costs or don’t want to go through with it, there are better alternatives. The easiest is just to skip the traditional real estate selling process and go with an innovative company like House Buyers of America. We buy houses for cash with our simple and hassle-free sales process. 

It begins when you contact House Buyers of America. Once we discuss your property with you over the phone, you will receive a fair cash offer in as little as 10 minutes. 

We’ll then schedule a time to meet with you in person to explain the details of your cash offer. At that time, all you have to do is review the documentation, accept our offer, and we put cash in your hand as quickly as possible. It’s that easy!

With House Buyers of America, there’s no need to go through a tedious house inspection that will result in days of back-and-forth with a potential buyer. Our process is quick and lets you sell a house for cash hassle-free. Give us a call or fill out our online form , and we’ll give you a fair cash offer in as little as 10 minutes.