Why are Home Inspections so Important?

Congratulations, you’ve worked with your real estate professional, conducted your search and your offer has been accepted for the home that’s right for you on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Prior to taking possession at the closing table, it’s recommended that you have a home inspection. 

What is a Home Inspection?
After a seller accepts your offer, there are several behind the scenes things to do before closing. One is a home inspection, a thorough review of the home conducted by a licensed professional to determine the home’s condition beyond cosmetics. This identifies items that need to be replaced immediately or may be an issue down the road. Any immediate repairs identified by the inspection can be requested of the seller prior to closing.   

What do Home Inspections Cover?
The cost of a home inspection on the Mississippi Gulf Coast can range from $250-$500, but varies based upon the home’s square-footage. This expense now could save you much more in the long run. Home inspections cover the structural components of the home, as well as several functional items, including:

• Roof condition
• HVAC
• Insulation
• Plumbing
• Electrical outlets
• Foundation
• Appliances, if they are included in the sale of the home. 

The inspection also ensures that work on these areas has been done up to local code. Issues found in any of these inspected areas could translate to costly repairs or maintenance. These can be addressed with negotiations with the seller prior to closing, or simply serve as a notification of things that will need to be addressed later. 

Additional inspections that you can have done outside of the standard home inspection include lead, radon, roof certification, sewer/septic and termites.

Why should I get a home inspection?
Homes may have hidden hazards, and it’s important that your home be safe before you move in. If an inspector finds items that need to be repaired or replaced, you can request repairs from the seller, negotiate a price reduction of the home or a credit from the seller to handle the repair or replacement yourself.  

When you make your offer, you have an idea of what your monthly payment will be. A home inspection will give you an idea of the condition and age of the major systems so that you can estimate when they will need to be replaced, how much that could cost, and allow you time to incorporate those costs into your budget. 

If your inspector finds work that was completed without the proper permitting or not up to code, you may address the issue prior to closing. Failing to do so could impact your taxes as well as your overall home value. 

The biggest reason why you should get a home inspection is to protect yourself from surprises with your home, structurally and financially. Purchasing a home is likely one of the largest purchases you’ll make, and is a significant financial obligation. The home inspection is a chance to raise red flags prior to closing. And most times, having a home inspection contingency in your contract allows you to retract your offer and earnest money if the home does not pass the inspection. 

If you’re ready to buy a home in Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean Springs or any other Mississippi Gulf Coast community, or have questions about what the home-buying process entails, contact the buyer specialists at Expect Realty at 228.215.1861.