5 Questions To Ask During Your Home Inspection

If you're in the process of purchasing a home and are seeking services of a home inspector, it's a good idea to be on the premises when the home inspection takes place. Asking the right questions during the inspection can help you learn more about the home you're thinking about purchasing. Getting advice from your inspector can make the purchasing process less stressful and can make your first few months in your new home more enjoyable.

How Would You Fix This?

Your home inspector will likely uncover problems that sound daunting, intimidating and expensive to repair. Keep in mind that home inspectors report problems big and small, and not all issues identified in the inspection report represent an insurmountable challenge.

Asking the simple question, "how would you fix this?," can help clarify your inspector's findings. While your inspector will likely tell you to find a contractor to make big repairs, he or she may recommend that you fix small problems yourself. Talking to your inspector will help you tell the difference between these two types of problems and will also put some of the issues on the report into perspective.

How Does This Work?

Home inspectors tend to know a lot about obscure appliances and pieces of equipment. Not sure how to program an in-ground sprinkler? Need to know how to use an induction cooktop, or how to use a garbage disposal without clogging your pipes? Your home inspector will be able to answer a variety of questions about how your new home works. Many home inspectors enjoy sharing this information with customers.

What Would You Do To Maintain This?

Especially if you're a first time homeowner, there may be a lot that you don't know about maintaining various systems of the house. Talking to your home inspector is a good way to uncover little tidbits like how to clean your garbage disposal, how to flush or de-scale a water heater, how to prevent a clogged downspout, and so on. Your home inspector may not bring these things up independently, but asking questions can get the conversation started, leading to a lot of useful feedback.

How Long Could You Wait To Fix This?

Home inspections typically reveal a range of problems, many of them years old. Some of these problems will need to be fixed right away, others may not. Knowing which problems are urgent and which problems can wait for repairs can help you write a to-do list after moving into your home.

Would You Buy a House With This Problem?

You may already be locked into a deal with the home that you're inspecting, but if you're not, your home inspector may be able to give you input that can help you decide if it's smart to proceed with a contract. Problems with the roof, septic tank, sewer and foundation are all expensive and difficult to repair. Asking your inspector if he or she would proceed with a home sale is one way to gauge the severity of a problem.

If you're trying to decide whether or not to proceed with a home purchase, keep in mind that your real estate agent can also help you with this issue. If you have not finalized a contract with the homeowner yet, your real estate agent may be able to negotiate repairs with the seller. For more information, talk to you real estate agent.