Oct 11, 2023
Buying a home is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. To ensure you make an informed decision, a home inspection is a crucial step in the home buying process. Take some time to put together a comprehensive list of questions that you can run through in person after the inspector finishes. New AI-powered tools like HomeScore help empower buyers to learn more about their future home before they make an offer
Why Home Inspections Matter:
Home inspections play a vital role in the home buying process. Licensed inspectors are rare unbiased parties in the home buying process. They aren’t emotionally or financially motivated to draw certain conclusions; they are only bound to report their findings honestly and transparently.
According to a survey from Porch, over 88% of buyers in 2022 used a home inspector's services for their most recent home purchase. This statistic highlights the importance of getting an expert's opinion before making such a long term investment.
Understanding your Home Inspection:
Navigating through the intricacies of a home inspection report can feel like deciphering a technical manual written in a foreign language. The pages are often filled with complex terminology, confusing acronyms, and references to various data points or systems within the home that you may not be familiar with. Terms like "soffit," "flashing," or "GFCI" might as well be hieroglyphics to someone outside the construction or real estate industry. Now it's easy to make your home inspection make sense with HomeScore. Easily understand the urgency behind each issue as well as cost estimates for repairs.
Tips to Prepare for a Home Inspection:
Declutter Property: Ensure that the inspector has easy access to all areas of the home by asking the seller to declutter their space. This will make it easier for the inspector to thoroughly assess your property.
Gather Important Documents: Prompt the seller to send through any documents related to renovations, repairs, or maintenance work that was done on the home. This information can provide valuable insights to the home inspector.
Prepare a List of Questions: Jot down any concerns or questions you have about your potential home.
Using Home Inspection Reports to Your Advantage:
Approximately 46% of buyers reported that they used home inspection reports to negotiate a lower price on their home. HomeScore's comprehensive insights and recommendations empower you during property offer negotiations by providing you with personalized insights related to the urgency of repairs and cost estimates.
A home inspection is a critical step in the home buying process, providing you with essential information about your prospective property. With HomeScore's generative AI technology, you can get a detailed understanding of a property’s condition and determine the best strategy for negotiation.