There are a lot of different moving pieces when it comes to home inspections. If you've never gone through the process before, you probably have a lot of questions about why you need a home inspection, what will be inspected, and what to expect if you're there for the home inspection process.
Our experienced central New Jersey realtors have been through countless home inspections on both the buyer's and seller's sides. We're here to answer your most common questions about home inspections.
What is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection is a process where a home inspector walks through a house and thoroughly examines specific aspects of it. After a close look, the home inspector will provide a report about the state of the home and, most importantly, what needs to be repaired.
It's essentially a status report on the state of a house, with everything from potential foundation issues to water damage.
Why Do I Need a Home Inspection?
Home inspections are usually done when you're looking to buy a new house. When you're making the biggest purchase of your life, you want to know everything you possibly could to make sure it's a good idea (and investment), right?
So the Buyer of a House Knows Everything About It
Typically, a home inspection is done after an offer has been accepted on a house, but before closing, so the buyer can have a comprehensive overview of everything. The home inspection provides the buyer with any issues that currently exist, or will crop up in the near future. If there are any deal breakers (like the house unexpectedly needs a new roof), the buyer can back out from the sale.
To Avoid Denial of Homeowners Insurance
If you don't have a home inspected before purchasing it, you could be facing huge issues such as a house that needs a new roof, HVAC system, or has serious foundation problems. All of these factors could affect the buyer's ability to obtain a mortgage and for the house. For example, most homeowners insurance companies require the property to pass a four-point inspection that looks at the roof, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical.
If you're already living in a home, a home inspection probably isn't necessary. However, if you want a status update on your home for whatever reason, you could enlist the help of a professional home inspector.
Do You Have to Get a Home Inspection for a Brand New House?
Even if you're moving into a newly-built home, it's still a good idea to pay for a thorough inspection.
A home inspection on a new house double checks that everything was done correctly and is up to code. Regardless of how many times your builder assured you everything was completed to perfection, it's always smart to verify that claim with an official home inspection.
What Does a New Jersey Home Inspector Look At?
Not all home inspectors provide the same quality of work. If there are any very specific items you want to make sure they look at, make sure you address this with them beforehand.
One example is mold testing. Not all run-of-the-mill home inspectors will conduct thorough mold and moisture testing. If that's something you're looking for, you'll either need to shop around for a home inspector who includes it in their services or hire a separate specialist.
That said, home inspectors in New Jersey are supposed to look at:
The roof and attic
HVAC, which includes your air conditioner and/or furnace
Plumbing
Electric
Foundation and structure
Interior of the home
Exterior of the home
Insulation and ventilation
Fireplaces
Depending on the area you're looking to buy a home in and the age of the homes you're looking at, you might want to hire a specialist for more thorough inspections. For example, you'd need to hire additional inspectors to take a look at pest control or sewer lines.
How Much Does a Home Inspection in New Jersey Cost?
While the price of a home inspection varies depending on the size of the house, an average home inspection in New Jersey costs $300-$500.
The price can also go up if you're hiring an inspector who looks at additional things, such as mold testing, pests, or sewer lines.
Do I Need to Be There for the Home Inspection?
While it's not absolutely required for the buyer to be at the inspection, it's best to do so. You'll have the chance to ask the inspector any questions you might have, and can read their report in person to make sure you understand everything.
It's normal for the buyer's agent to be at the home inspection, too, just so they have the full picture of what the inspector discovered. Plus, they'll be able to recommend the best people to repair whatever is needed, too.
While most home inspectors will take photos of everything they find so it's well-documented, there's really no substitute for attending in person so you can fully understand everything the inspector looked at and how best to fix it.
What Happens if the Home Inspector Finds an Issue?
If your home inspector uncovers issues with the home you want to buy, don't panic! It's all part of the process, and it's likely no home is ever going to be absolutely perfect.
The inspector could reveal minor issues that will need to be fixed in the near future. Or, there could be a major repair that warrants further negotiations. If the inspection uncovered too many expensive repairs or a repair that's a deal-breaker for the buyer, the buyer has the ability to walk away from their offer.
If the repairs are negotiable, it's time to go back to the negotiating table to figure out who will be responsible for paying for any necessary repairs: the seller or the buyer.
Depending on the issue, buyers could have some negotiating power to ask the seller to decrease the sales price so they can use that money to pay for repairs.
The sale can move forward after everyone has come to a mutually-beneficial agreement.
How Long Does a Home Inspection in NJ Take?
Home inspections usually take at least a few hours. However, the full amount of time a home inspection takes really depends on the size of the home and exactly what your home inspector is looking at.
Questions to Ask a Home Inspector
When it comes to buying a home, you always want to make sure you're working with the right people. Not only do you want to make sure you have a good real estate agent, but you also want to have a thorough home inspection.
While you're shopping around for home inspectors, here are some questions to ask:
How soon can I schedule an inspection?
How long does it take you to generate the report?
What does your home inspection cover?
How long does your home inspection usually take?
Is it okay if I attend the home inspection?
How much will the home inspection cost?
Are You Buying a Home in Central NJ?
Whether you're a first-time home buyer or are looking for your 10th property, our expert real estate team can help you find your dream home! We've helped countless clients buy and sell homes in Central New Jersey for over 25 years!