Buying a home for the first time is not necessarily the most fun experience. One of the aspects of home buying that can seem overwhelming, especially in the beginning, is deciphering home inspection reports.
If you are a novice home buyer and are not sure about what inspection reports entail, this guide is for you. It will include everything you need to know about home inspection reports and how to read them. Check this blog to find out more.
What is a Home Inspection Report?
An inspection report is a detailed document that a licensed home inspector creates after thoroughly inspecting the buyer’s home.
The report includes significant notes about the property’s condition, as well as any noticeable issues observed by the inspector.
What is the Purpose of Inspection Reports?
Inspection reports are tremendously crucial for any new real estate buyer, and it has tangible purposes and benefits which include:
- Discovering potential problems or hazards
- Ensuring safety
- Attaining peace of mind
Tips on Reading a Home Inspection Report
Upon receiving your inspection report from your professional inspector, it is about time you start analyzing and studying it meticulously.
But how do you understand your report, and which sections should you focus on? The following are some tips on how to go about that process.
Read the Summary First
This is the section that is either found at the very beginning or end of the report, containing the overview of the most essential points worthy of attention in your report.
It includes a summarized version of all the concerns that need to be considered and any necessary repairs, so make sure to tackle it first to get the bigger picture.
Check Condition Ratings
Condition ratings describe the state of your property’s components, which help buyers and sellers become aware of the property’s general condition.
These ratings include:
- Satisfactory/No significant Issues
- Marginal/Minor Issues
- Deficient/Significant Issues
- Not inspected
These ratings enable you to identify the significant issues at your property that require particular attention.
Prioritize Repairs
Once you become informed about the condition and issues of the different components in your home, you should then start prioritizing the repairs needed; in this case, it should be for the significant issues.
Resort to your real estate agent or ask the seller to guide you with the most suitable repairs for your varying property issues. Wise negotiation is necessary at this stage to ensure your requests are agreed upon.
Familiarize Yourself with the Terminology
Your report will contain a lot of terms whose meanings you should become aware of in the context of inspection.
Some examples of such terminology are:
- Dificiency
- Recommendations
- Safety hazard
- Deferred maintenance
- Minor/Major concern
- Functional
Look at Visual Aids
Reports contain demonstrations or pictures that clarify defects or specific areas. These photos help both the buyer and the real estate agent understand the various concerns noted by the inspector in the document.
Gold Coast Inspectors for Home Inspection in California
Our professional team at Gold Coast Inspectors provides a home inspection service that will make your life so much easier as a home buyer in California. We also offer one-of-a-kind mold investigation and air quality inspection services.
