A house inspection doesn’t have to be a stressful event. All too often, though, it is. People get very nervous about inspections because they can make or break the deal. As the buyer, you can walk away if the results of the house inspection aren’t satisfactory to you. The seller knows that, but you know that you really want the house. So there is stress. Fortunately, there are ways to alleviate the problem and make the house inspection as absolutely stress-free as possible. That can be a great feeling, and make you much more focused on getting through the inspection and moving on, whatever that inspection may show. Here are seven ways you can make your house inspection stress free.
1). Are you prepared?
Being prepared for the house inspection is one of the best ways to make it as stress free as you possibly can. Reading information on home inspections and understanding how they work will help. You can also talk to your agent about what to expect, or even call the inspector’s office and ask a few questions. Another great way to be prepared is to come up with a list of specific questions you would really like the inspector to answer for you. A lot of buyers forget what they want to ask because they haven’t written it down, so make a list and take it with you to the home inspection.
2). Do you plan to get there early?
It’s exciting when you buy a house, and the inspection is a big part of that. You don’t want to arrive, only to find out that the inspector has already done part of the inspection without you. By getting there early, you’ll be ready for the inspector and won’t miss out on part of the inspection that you might be really interested in. If you do happen to get there a little later or you get there after the inspector has started, don’t be afraid to ask what’s already been done, and go over any questions or concerns you have about what’s already been examined.
3). Have you done your home inspector homework?
While the lender may choose the appraiser, you will choose the home inspector. That’s because the inspection isn’t for the lender. It’s for you, to help you determine if you still want to buy the house and what problems you may have with it. You want to get a good home inspector that you can trust to do a great job. It’s possible for any inspector to miss something, but if you have faith and trust in the inspector you hire, you’ll feel better about the entire process. That’s an excellent way to lower your level of stress.
4). What are you willing to accept?
There’s a lot to buying a house, and you’ll need to decide what you’ll be willing to accept when it comes to your new home. Deciding ahead of time what kinds of things may be deal breakers can mean that you don’t stress over the inspection. While you don’t want to lose a house you love, you also don’t want to end up buying something that needs more work than you can handle, either. Houses with significant problems can really be money pits, and you may want to avoid that. Getting an inspection lets you know what’s wrong, so you can decide whether to accept that, ask for repairs, or just move on.
5). Should you consider walking away?
The inspection gives you the option to walk away. You can choose not to do that even if the inspector gives you bad news, of course. The seller may be willing to fix some or all of the problems with the house or they may say that they are not correcting anything, and you can take it or leave it. Every seller is different, and it will depend on how much they want to sell their house and what they’re able to do financially. Walking away should always be an option if there are serious concerns that the seller refuses to address.
6). Have you gotten philosophical about the house?
There are other houses. This house isn’t perfect. It’s very important to have the right perspective when you’re looking at a home inspection. It’s understandable that you want the house, and that you don’t want to have to start the home search process all over again. Despite everything, though, you can certainly do that if necessary. Let yourself be all right with that, and with the idea that the “perfect” house doesn’t really exist. If the inspection reveals too many problems and this house doesn’t work out, there may be a better one available to you.
7). Can you keep an open mind?
There are many things you can do in order to reduce the stress you feel when you think about an upcoming home inspection. Keeping an open mind is among the best. A problem with the house doesn’t mean that the sale can’t go through. Think about the issue, find out more about it, and see what the seller is willing to do. In many cases, the seller may fix the problem or at least contribute to fixing it, and you can get the house you really like, after all. Just stay open- minded during the inspection, and afterward as you look through the report. That can help you have a stress-free inspection and make the right choice on whether to buy the house.
2 Point Highlight
A house inspection doesn’t have to be a stressful event.
There are many things you can do in order to reduce the stress you feel when you think about an upcoming home inspection.
