Shopping for a new home? Take it from me — you should be shopping for a good home inspector too.
Knowledge is power and a thorough home inspection can save you thousands of nasty surprises that tend to crop up after signing on the dotted line.
Hire a home inspector to check every nook and cranny before you buy. Have the plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical systems thoroughly checked. The inspector will look for structural damage, signs of leaks in the roof, and corrosion around windows and doors. Some home inspections even cover appliances. The structure’s foundation will be checked thoroughly. If the home has an attic, the inspector will also look there.
You’ve invested some serious time into finding the right Utah home. Search just as diligently for the right home inspector.
Here are five questions to ask a home inspector before hiring:
- What does a home inspection cover?
Home inspectors are held to a high standard of practice and a professional code of ethics. Know your state’s home inspection requirements and ensure your inspector adheres to those standards. Ask plenty of questions. Now is not the time for vague answers. - Do you have experience conducting residential inspections? Ask for references. Check those references with questions about thoroughness, accuracy, and integrity.
- How long will the inspection take? The on-site portion of the inspection should take two or three hours for a single-family home.
- How much will the inspection cost and what kind of a report will you provide? The cost of home inspections varies significantly. Some determining factors include:
- home value
- home size
- type of report
- home location
- home condition
Before hiring an inspector, decide what you expect to learn through the inspection process. Ask for sample inspections. Find out how and when you will receive the completed report (a 24-hour turnaround is typical).
5. May I go through the inspection with you? Accompany the inspector on-site for a great education about your home. A home inspector should welcome you, don’t hire one that declines your request.
If you have questions about hiring a home inspector to examine your Utah home, contact me at 801-673-3333. I’m here to help. I have a great inventory of Utah homes for sale right now. You can shop for Utah homes for sale online 24/7. Browse through our homes and if you need more information, I’m only a phone call away.
A home warranty makes a great safety net
Sometimes issues go unnoticed. Inspectors try their best to detect problems but occasionally problems don’t appear until the day after you close. It’s traditional, but not required, for the seller to purchase a minimum one-year home warranty. As a seller’s agent, I recommend it because it’s a good-faith effort to help put buyers at ease. As a buyer’s agent, I work hard to negotiate one because, “If anything can go wrong, it will.”
A home warranty is a service contract that covers major home systems and appliances when they break down due to normal wear and tear. The insurer will cover the cost to repair or replace the system or appliance. Depending on the warranty, sometimes a small deductible is required.
This is not the same as homeowners insurance. That covers damage from events like fires, storms, or theft. A home warranty protects your budget from unexpected repair costs.
The warranty is helpful to new homebuyers who aren’t familiar with all the parts of a home. Sticker shock is a thing when it comes to home repairs. A warranty absorbs most of the blow.
What does a home warranty cover?
Always check the fine print, but warranties are designed to protect systems, appliances, and optional add-ons.
A woman I know moved into a home and less than a week in, her HVAC system died. It cost nearly $10,000 to replace; she paid $2,000 and felt great about it. The air conditioner was running fine when it was inspected. It was just one of those things. I see it happen all the time.
A home warranty covers systems including plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, and water heaters. Appliances like ovens, dishwashers, refrigerators, and washers/dryers are also covered. Optional add-on riders are available for pool equipment, septic systems, and roof leaks.
Whether you or your seller buys the warranty check coverage limits and service fees before something goes wrong!
