From your Friends at Mountains to Sound!

It is one thing to be excited about setting foot into your dream home. But moving into a place where you’ll regret finding unpleasant inclusions is another story you wouldn’t want to experience. You see, buying a home is both exciting and crucial. One most important step before finally closing the deal is to have the home undergo home inspection. If the idea of a home inspection hasn’t crossed your mind yet, think again. Some people feel overwhelmed with the idea of having to spend for a home inspection because they do not know what to expect. For some, they worry about what might happen after the inspection. Here at Mountains to Sound Home Inspection, we’ll help you understand what happens during a home inspection in Seattle, WA.

Generally, our licensed Seattle home inspectors spend about 3-4 hours of careful examination of the home. Most buyers are worried about the inspection problems. The truth is, while it does reveal issues and problems, it’s not going to be the end of the world. In fact, no home is flawless, so there will always be something to discover. As a buyer, you should understand that a home inspection will help you make an informed decision and is essential to any real estate transaction. You need to understand what happens, what it is, what it isn’t, and how to move forward. 

Below are five home inspection tips that buyers shouldn’t miss. Here at Mountains to Sound Home Inspection, we want you to understand what you can do following an inspection.

1. Know what a home inspection is. 

A standard home inspection in Seattle, WA typically covers the heating and cooling systems, plumbing, electrical systems, foundation, roofing, basement/crawlspaces, attic, walls, ceilings, and other significant components of the home. Additional inspections will also be required, such as mold and air quality testing. The home inspector then provides a full-colored narrative report within 24 hours following the inspection.

2. Home inspectors rarely find a flawless house. 

Again, no home is exempt from flaws, even if it’s brand new. If the inspector finds nothing wrong, it might be time to start question the inspector’s credibility. There will always be damages or issues, but it does not necessarily mean you need to walk right away from the deal. The seller can handle simple fixes before home buyers can move in, such as:

• Repainting of walls
• Inexpensive repairs such as those below $100
• Broken sockets or switches -unless it’s a major electrical problem according to the inspector, it should be easy to fix, and there’s nothing to worry about.

3. As a buyer, you should learn to negotiate for fixes. 

There are two options to deal with repairs. One, you can ask the seller for a lower selling price. Two, you can have them fix the issue. Your real estate agent is very significant in the decision-making process of which repairs to ask for the seller to make. Defects such as plumbing, roofs, mold issues, and drainage are some of the most common problems you would want to be fixed before moving in. For the most part, sellers tend rather to fix issues than lower the selling price.

4. You also need to learn when to negotiate for money.

Some sellers may provide cashback credit so you can complete the projects. For bigger problems, it may be a good time to ask for discounts.

5. Remember that you can walk away from a deal if it’s not working out for you.

If the seller refuses to shoulder major problems, perhaps it’s time to leave and walk away from the deal. After all, you will be the one who’ll live in the house, and you might end up regretting someday. Although some defects may be repaired now, there are still some that come back sooner or later in uglier and more troublesome ways.

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