Inspection is among 'most important things' when buying a home

Like saving enough for a down payment or assessing the schools in a neighborhood you are interested in, a home inspection is one of the most critical aspects of buying a home. 

While the prospect of owning a home is exciting, especially for first-timers, it's always important not to let emotions play too large of a role in any type of purchase. That's why having an unbiased inspector come in and look at the property is so important. It will provide a thorough review of the true state of the home, putting all other judgments aside. 

"When buying a house, the home inspection is one of the most important things you are going to do because that is when you are going to bring a professional in and assess the condition of the house," Angie Hicks of Angie's List told CBS Pittsburgh-affiliate KDKA. "But, a lot of times, the consumers skip out on going to the home inspection. What they then miss out on is learning about their home and seeing firsthand any problem areas." 

From looking into the major systems of the property to determining if a home will need minor repairs, an inspector will cover all the bases to help a buyer make an informed decision.

Final walkthrough also important

In addition to an assessment by a reputable inspector, a final walkthrough is something every buyer will want to take part in. 

"A final walkthrough of the house you are buying might seem really simple, but a lot of times is overlooked," Hicks said. "It's important because you can then double check anything you ask for in your contract has been completed and also you can find out if there was any damage to the house when the seller moved out. It doesn't take a lot of time and it's really simple that can save you some headaches."

A home inspection and a walkthrough likely won't make or break a buyer's decision to purchase, but it's important nonetheless.

"Certainly, if a defect is so great that the buyer does not want to purchase the home, there are rights," real estate agent Kristie Smith told the source. "In most states, there is a sales disclosure process that the seller must commit to having the home in the same or better condition as when everyone signed that disclosure in the first place. That's usually signed at the time of contract." 

So what's included in a home inspection?

As an inspection has been deemed one of the most important aspects of a home purchase, buyers are likely wondering what it entails. The following is a list of things a home inspector will look into:

• Electrical system: An inspection will make sure all light switches, outlets and wiring are working properly.
• Plumbing: All pipes will be checked, ensuring there are no leaks or corrosion that could lead to issues down the road.
• Foundation: A major repair to a foundation would be costly, so homebuyers will be in the know if that's the case. 
• HVAC: The home's air-conditioning and heating system will be thoroughly reviewed. The system should have been regularly maintained, with new filters installed for a homebuyer. Any rattling noises in this system could mean it's not working properly. 

In total, a reputable home inspector will look into 300 different aspects of a home. This information is essentially invaluable to a buyer, as it will give them the confidence they need to purchase a home. Therefore, it's always important to find a trusted home inspection company.