Tulsa Home Buyers – What to expect at your home inspections!
We shopped and shopped until we found the perfect home for you, we negotiated the contract and now we’re ready for your home inspections – here is what you should expect.
Typical inspections are roof, structural, EMP (electrical, mechanical and plumbing), termite and chimney, if your home includes a fireplace. Other inspections are available to you as outlined in your sales contract.
The inspectors are working for you, the home Buyer. They typically ask you at the beginning of the inspection if you have any concerns or if there is any particular area you would like them to check thoroughly. Feel free to speak up!
The inspectors each go their separate ways to begin their inspections. You are welcome to follow inspectors if you choose. When they are done, they will give you a verbal report of their findings and will take you around to show you areas that they are calling out in their report. This is the best time to ask questions. Typically, inspectors provide written reports within 24 hours.
Inspectors are sensitive to the amount we have negotiated in our contract for repairs, so if we are likely to exceed the amount allotted, ask the inspectors to prioritize repairs. When we purchase older homes, there will almost always be a few leaky faucets and ungrounded electrical outlets, for example. What you may want to focus on is the dryer that’s not vented properly or the improper flashing around your chimney on the roof.
Tulsa Home Buyers – What to expect at your home inspections!
Inspectors are also excellent resources for suggesting what you might do at a later date to PREVENT problems. Termite inspectors suggest that you have them come out once a year to inspect for possible new activity. The structural inspector might suggest guttering to keep water away from your home’s foundation. The EMP inspector may suggest having your furnace or cooling system serviced to promote a longer life of your units.
The bottom line is that your home inspectors are there to serve, protect and educate you. Particularly if you are a new home owner, the time of inspections is a good time to ask all the questions you can possibly think of. And, inspectors will be happy to answer questions if you think of something the following week or even after you move in to your new home.
On my listings, I encourage my home Sellers to be present for inspections, because they often can answer questions for the inspectors. And, since the Seller is responsible for making repairs, it’s good to hear first-hand from the inspector what type of repair is acceptable.
Also, a note to home Sellers to have clear access for the inspectors to the electrical panel, attic and hot water heater. We understand that you are moving packed boxes to your garage, but make sure they are not restricting access.
Homes age and sag as time goes on. Roots creep into your plumbing lines and hot water heaters eventually wear out. It’s nice when we can do preventative maintenance on our homes instead of making repairs, but we don’t always have that luxury.
So, Tulsa home buyers, take your camera and a note pad to your inspections. You will learn a lot from your inspectors because they are there to represent YOU!
