Failure to Pass
One of the most common home inspection myths is that the inspector is grading your house on a pass/fail system. Most people think that if the inspector finds a significant enough problem, your home will be ‘failed”.
This is simply untrue. Unlike your high school math teacher, inspectors aren’t there to give you a harsh word or a bad grade. Inspectors simply document the problems that they find with a house and give them to you to decide what to do with them. For example, if you get your house radon tested, the inspector will simply let you know the results, not call the police on you.
Home Inspection vs Home Appraisal
Many people think that home inspections and home appraisals are interchangeable. Home inspections are a meticulous review of your home’s condition, including your water, electrical, and foundation. A home appraisal is a way to evaluate the value of your property, using the general condition of your house, the value of the properties around you, and the state of the market as tools.
If you are buying or selling your house, or haven’t had a home inspection in a number of years, you’ll need to schedule a meticulous whole-home inspection.
Skipping an Inspection isn’t a Grave Mistake
As a homebuyer, you may be tempted to skip out on a home inspection to make your bid more desirable to the seller. Waiving a home inspection and assuming it will be fine is one of the most serious home inspection myths.
The benefit of not having a home inspection goes totally to the seller, who now will not have to disclose major home issues that aren’t visible to a layman. This can lead to a world of trouble, and it is better not win the bid at all than to get stuck with repairs you can’t afford.
I Have to Use My Realtor’s Inspector
On to a lighter home inspection myth; many people think that they don’t have a choice in who their home inspector is. Your realtor will usually suggest one or more home inspectors that they trust and have worked with before. Most people think that they need to choose an inspector off of this list. Your realtor may help give you a general idea of what inspectors look for, but you can select any inspector you like for your home inspection.
New Home? No Inspection Required
Another common home inspection myth is that new construction does not need inspection because it was just built. New construction should be inspected just as diligently as a 100-year-old house. There are many reasons for this:
- Quality- just because the work got done doesn’t mean it got done well
- Shortcuts- these may hold up for 5 years, but won’t stand the test of time
- Contractors- there were likely multiple contractors involved in the construction of your house that may or may not have communicated with each other
- Speaking of which, it is also possible that the plumber may have damaged some wiring, and vice versa
Scheduling a whole-home inspection for your newly constructed house is essential.
Only New Homebuyers Need an Inspection
Most people think inspections are only for buying or selling a home and have no place in between. A savvy homeowner will have an inspection every 5-10 years to assess the health of their home. This is a great way to catch expensive repairs early, before the damage has spread. It is also a good idea to have your water and radon tested periodically, as these things are impossible to detect on your own without a professional’s assistance.
You Are Mythtaken
This was not an exhaustive list of home inspection facts and myths, but hopefully you feel more informed! If you realized halfway through reading it that you need a home inspector’s help, schedule your inspection today by calling 540-521-5365 or clicking here!