Is a Home Inspection Worth the Cost?

Without a doubt, the single most important step of the home buying process is the home inspection. Unless you’re buying a foreclosure or bank-owned property at a tremendously cheap price – and you’re an experienced real estate buyer – this is a step you must not skip.

Why is it so important?

Because this is your chance to learn all about the property you are buying. It’s strengths. And it’s weaknesses. Even if you’re 100% certain you’re ready to buy it no matter what is wrong with the house, you still need to find out exactly what you are buying – before you move in.

There are so many little details involved with a house. Most of them you can’t see. So even if the house is beautiful beyond your wildest dreams, and looks perfect – chances are it is not perfect. Even if it’s brand new construction.

So do yourself a huge favor, and spend the money to hire a professional inspector. It will be the most important $400-$1200 (the typical price range for an inspection) you’ll spend while searching for your home.

If you find out there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the house, then at least you’ll know for sure.

If you do find something wrong, you can either:
- ask the sellers to fix it
- walk away from the deal (if the problems are serious enough)
- fix the problems yourself once you move in

Don’t assume that what you see is what you get. There are all types of problems that can be hidden, and even the sellers may not know about. Things like electrical or plumbing problems, roof issues, termites, water damage. To the average person, these problems can be hard to see. To an experienced home inspector, these should be easy to spot.

So, while spending a few hundred dollars may seem like a lot of money, it could save you thousands down the road. For most people, buying a house is a big enough expense that paying for an inspection is protection you cannot live without.

Want to learn more helpful home buying tips? Follow this simple home buying checklist when buying your next house.