Things That Fail A Home Inspection [Not What You Think]
Matt Gibson, Certified Home Inspector, NACHI #20100227
Things That Fail A Home Inspection
Have you ever asked yourself, “I wonder if my home inspection will pass and what are the things that fail a home inspection?”
If you’ve given thought to what things fail a home inspection, stick around. This article is for you!
Around here we like to stray away from speaking in terms of “pass” and “fail” as if a home inspection is our high school chemistry class. At face value it seems like an easy metaphor to grasp, but houses are a little more nuanced than a grading scale. Plus, no one wants to relive the traumatic memories of high school chem!
There is no such thing as failing a home inspection; so instead, let’s think of a home inspection in terms of identifying the pros and cons. There are going to be both positives and negatives to any home you reside in, whether current or future. No home is perfect and that’s a mindset shift you may need to make before starting down the home shopping road.
Setting realistic expectations upfront will create for a much more enjoyable home buying experience vs. unrealistic ideas that may leave you crushed and flat out deflated. We desire for your homeownership journey to be one of joy and anticipation, so that’s why we’re here to help you approach this next chapter with both optimism and realism!
To lay the groundwork of setting realistic expectations for purchasing a home with a home inspection, you’ll need to first understand what a home inspection is and why you need one. To sum it up quickly, a home inspection is a visual, non-invasive evaluation of a home’s overall condition. Unfortunately, we don’t have time to dig into all of the nitty gritty in this article, but we have put together a blog post with all of those juicy details right here!
So you’re on your way to homeownership. It’s super exciting and you’ve found a home you absolutely love, congrats! It checks all of the boxes and seems like the perfect fit for your family, possibly a forever home. It’s easy to get swept up in the euphoria of your reno plans and forget about the really important aspects of what make up a home. You know, the not-so-fun reality check… the faulty foundation, collapsed sewer line, or outdated wiring. There are some budget buster items you simply don’t want to overlook before heading to the closing table. We call these red flag items that could be deemed hazardous or marked as safety concerns. This is one reason, among many, as to why getting a thorough home inspection is so crucial to the home buying experience.
Let’s insert a small, yet pertinent disclaimer here. Every homebuyer’s standard of living is very different. What may be considered a deal breaker for you may not be for someone else, and vice versa. This is one reason not to think in terms of things that fail a home inspection; rather, consider all of the many benefits of the home, what can be fixed, and what you can live with. Getting a home inspection will expose what major and minor issues are present in the home, and then you get to decide what’s important to you.
That’s the beauty of buying. You determine what you negotiate with the seller and what you forgo. In our blog post, “What Is A Home Inspection And Do I Really Need One?,” we discuss some common problems seen in homes across the board, regardless of age and type. These may be key items to consider when working with a seller.
Keep in mind, you are purchasing the home, as well as all of the problems, so it’s imperative that you step into the sale with eyes wide open. Be bold in requesting the seller make repairs and/or pay for you to hire additional contractors to evaluate concerning areas of the property.
It’s far better to know about issues now when you still have negotiating authority rather than waiting until after the deal is sealed. When it comes to negotiating after a home inspection, we do not claim to be experts. Leave that up to your real estate pro. You hired them to advocate for you, so let them do what they do best.
Now that you know to avoid thinking in terms of things that fail a home inspection, let’s take a look at what questions to ask a home inspector as a homebuyer or first-time homebuyer.
Questions To Ask A Home Inspector [And The One Question To Avoid]
There are some key questions to ask a home inspector before, during, and after your services. Consider asking your home inspector the following:
What does a home inspection include? - You will get an idea of what is inspected during the home inspection to ensure the big budget items are property evaluated.
What does a home inspection exclude? - You will know exactly what is NOT included in the home inspection, so if there are areas of the home you want inspected, you will need to hire a contractor who specializes in that area. For example, if you are looking to buy a home with a swimming pool, you will need to hire a qualified pool inspector. We do not currently offer swimming pool and spa inspections.
Will you send me a copy of the inspection report? - Obtaining a copy of the home inspection report is vital. Most real estate negotiations will not be successful without the home inspection report as proof of issues. The report also serves as a reference so you and your agent know exactly how to define the problems and what to request for repairs from the seller. Our reports are digital, easy to navigate, and highly detailed! There’s also an addendum builder tool embedded into the report making repair requests super streamlined for your real estate agent.
Can you clarify _________ for me? - Ask questions during the inspection and certainly after you receive the home inspection report. If you are unclear about something, do not hesitate to ask your home inspector. A good home inspector is there to help you understand the defects and overall condition of the home, that’s why you hired them! When working with us, we make it a priority to be available and serve as an on-going resource well beyond the inspection.
Should I hire an expert to fix ____________? - A great home inspector won’t always be able to tell you if something needs to be repaired, especially since a home inspector is not a specialist in every area of a home. However, an experienced inspector should be able to pinpoint cause for concern. For example, if a plumbing issue is identified, your home inspector should recommend you connect with a licensed and reputable plumber for further evaluation. At Forever Home Inspection Iowa, we have an extensive list of trusted referrals for most areas of the home. We are truly the “whole package” inspection service!
What are the things that fail a home inspection? - This is the one question to avoid asking your home inspector. Since we’ve already chatted about this earlier, you have a good idea as to why this question is on the naughty list. As a reminder, your home inspector is there is provide an overall evaluation of the property. Read more about what a home inspection is in our blog post here.
There are several other questions to ask a home inspector that would be beneficial when making a home purchase, including questions about their credentials and experience. Beware! Don’t just hire anyone. Read about how to choose the right home inspector for the job.
Now What?
We are consistently told by clients that we are the best inspection they’ve ever experienced. We are Des Moines’ best home inspector due to our wealth of knowledge, years of exceptional experience, and unmatched skills. Check out our home inspection pricing and services or schedule here.
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