Reading your home inspection report
Seven tips for reading your inspection report
Along with having your offer accepted and getting your financing fully approved, getting your home inspection report is one of the highly anticipated moments of the real estate transaction. First thing, before you open the report, take a few breaths and remember that no house and no property is perfect. You’re probably going to find a few surprises, and often there’ll be a mix of minor, moderate, and major findings.
One of our mantras is: “Every home has a story”, and our report is a tool that helps us communicate its story. Here are a few tips as you read your home inspection report:
Read it fully
Take the time to read the entire report. This will allow you to get the most out of the service you purchased. It will give you a full picture of the conditions of the home and eliminates surprises. We realize the report’s not super entertaining, but it is important that you read it fully—don’t just skim.
If you don’t have time to read the full report, at least make sure you read the entire summary. (This is at the beginning of your report). You can come back and review the full report at a later date (before you take possession of the home). And make sure to reference the glossary if there’s a term you don’t recognize. It’s your responsibility as a homeowner to learn about your future home and investment. If you take the opportunity to learn about your new home’s major systems and components, you’ll fell more prepared to maintain your home in the years to come.
2. Choose the web-based report
Although it’s very convenient to download a PDF, the web-based report is definitely more user-friendly and interactive. When you view the web-based Spectora report, you can view 360 degree photos, videos and zoom in on hi-res photos. You can also navigate between sections easily, as well as click on helpful links directly from the report.
3. Focus on big items
Initially, it might be tempting to ask the seller to correct many of the items on the report, but realistically, this is going to prove to be fruitless. In a seller’s market like ours, you probably won’t get the seller to pay for much given how limited the inventory is. Focus on any important health and safety items and work with your agent to try and get them resolved.
4. Prioritize
Our findings are organized into 3 tiers:
Minor Item/Recommended Upgrade - Smaller, cosmetic items and simple handyman or do-it-yourself maintenance items. These items are informational in nature.
Moderate Item/Typical Repair - Majority of items. May require a qualified contractor to evaluate further and repair or replace, but the cost is somewhat reasonable.
Major Item/Safety Concern - Immediate safety hazards or items that could be costly to repair/replace.
5. You’re resourceful
It’s normal to not know what a repair or maintenance will cost. Prices vary greatly. Your realtor, home inspector and your friends or network will help you learn about the typical cost and effort involved in common repairs. And we believe in you. That’s why a good home inspection company isn’t focused on problems, it’s focused on solutions! YouTube, Google, and local contractors are great resources for finding answers and helping you budget.
6. You can tackle this
Owning a home is a marathon, not a sprint! You don’t need to repair everything before moving in. Most of the items in an inspection report are things you can live with—in fact they’re items that the previous occupants did live with. Some items will absolutely need urgent attention—and we’ll note those for you—but there are many items that you’ll be able to prioritize and upgrade over time.
7. Reach out
Let your home inspector know if you have any questions. This seems obvious, but some people are hesitant. Don’t worry, everyone has different experience with real estate, homeownership, maintenance, and home systems. A good inspector wants to be your trusted consultant and advisor and is able to put things into context or recommend next steps!
