For First-Time Homebuyers
Purchasing your first home is a big deal. Congratulations! At 901 Home Inspection, we love working with first-time homebuyers. Here are a few things you should know about the inspection process as a first-time homebuyer in Memphis.
Your home inspector works for you.
A licensed home inspector is an independent professional apart from the real estate agent or your lender’s appraisal inspection. Home inspections help buyers make informed choices about the home they are considering purchasing, so it’s important to have someone you can trust. Your real estate agent might suggest inspectors, but consider asking friends and family who they used or searching reviews online.
Not all home inspection companies are built the same.
One reason to check those reviews is to ensure you’re getting top quality for your dollar, bringing peace of mind to the purchasing process. For example, some companies charge premium pricing but then don’t walk the roof or enter the crawlspace. This is one of the largest purchases most people make. Work with an inspector who goes the extra mile for a thorough and complete home inspection.
A home inspection report serves you now and down the road.
Many people think that an inspection is solely for the purpose of negotiating with the seller. It’s true that a thorough inspection can protect you from purchasing a home only to find out it needs major improvements immediately. But a home inspection report can also give you an idea of what to expect down the line too. For example, knowing the age and conditions of the systems in your home can help you plan for maintenance later. Check out some sample home inspection reports to know what to expect.
A home inspector is not an expert in every area.
What does a home inspector do? A home inspector provides a general, noninvasive report on the condition of the major systems and components of a home. Part of that is identifying issues that need further, detailed assessment by a professional like a plumber or electrician. At 901 Home Inspection, we know new homebuyers don’t have those kinds of contacts on hand, so we have a short list of quality companies in the Memphis area that we recommend when needed.
A home inspector is here to answer your questions.
Home inspections typically take two to four hours, but they can take longer if the home is large or complex. After the inspection, your home inspector provides you with a written report of their findings, which you should review carefully. At 901 Home Inspection, we take the time — either on site or over the phone — to talk about any major findings and answer questions in detail.