Home Inspections, Why Are They Important?

A home inspection is one way that you are able to protect yourself from high unexpected costs and repairs or replacements of systems in a real estate transaction. A home inspection report can be a valuable tool used in negotiating with the seller to either repair the items that need fixing or get a credit to fix the items after closing. With that being said, it is incredibly important to work with inspectors that are qualified for the job and have experience - since inspectors are not required to be licensed in Colorado. A quality home inspection by an experienced inspector can reveal crucial information about a home and its most important systems that are not easily noticeable to the buyer’s eye. Home inspections are an affordable way of potentially revealing the whole condition of a property, and a way to avoid purchasing a property in need of major repairs.

A home can be the most important purchase that you will ever make. An experienced home inspector will walk a buyer through understanding in detail the condition of the property you are about to acquire. A general or residential inspection will likely include:

  • Roofing

  • Structure

  • Exterior

  • Driveways

  • Garages

  • Decks or Porches

  • Windows

  • Attics

  • Electrical wiring

  • Plumbing

  • Interior insulation and ventilation

  • Hot water heaters

  • Air conditioning

  • Furnaces

  • Appliances

Testing for radon can be a very important part of a home inspection, though it may not always be included during the general inspection. Radon is a radioactive gaseous element that is frequently found in the soils of Colorado. It often accumulates in attics or basements and can be mitigated in a few different ways, depending on the location of the accumulation and the severity of the gas.

Other inspections you may want to look into doing as a buyer (if applicable to the property) may be a well test and sewer scope. These tests provide you with details of how those systems are functioning and what condition they are in.

It is not an inspector’s responsibility to repair any concerning items that may be found in a home, but only to bring those items to the buyers attention. The initial inspection may bring to light that there need to be more inspections or tests of specific items based on the initial findings of an inspection report, and they will provide you with recommendations of what those inspections and tests may be.

A home inspection in Metro Denver typically ranges from $700-$900; the cost varies based on the size of the home and what is included in the inspection. The length of the inspection is typically 2-5 hours depending on the size of the home and the surrounding land. A home inspection is different from an appraisal, which estimates the value of a home.

Inspectors are often able to give you an idea of the future costs of keeping up with the homes systems, as they are able to often reveal installation ages, current condition, and possible replacement timeliness. This allows you to plan for the future with an idea of financial planning and budgeting decisions in mind.

As a home buyer, it is in your best interest to be fully educated and aware of the condition of the home you are buying. Home inspections are a really valuable tool to becoming fully educated and fully aware of the reality of the property.

Lauren Hoffman