Why Buyers Need to Get a Home Inspection

You’ve found your dream home and made an offer. What’s next? Well after getting a mortgage, the most crucial item of the home buying process is the home inspection, and it’s often the one item that gets the least attention. This is your chance as a buyer to kick the tires and check under the hood, so to speak.

Why Get a Home Inspection

When I’m working with buyers, I like to give them a heads-up on the process, what to expect and what the results from the inspection mean. The purpose of the home inspection is to educate the buyer on the condition of the home they are buying.  

When I make an offer on behalf of my client, I always include an inspection contingency. If something does arise, I usually go back to the negotiating table so the buyer can ask the seller to take care of necessary repairs. The inspection contingency also gives them the right to back out of the deal if the inspection uncovers major flaws. Keep in mind, the home inspection is the buyer’s opportunity to find flaws that are deal-breakers, not necessarily a punch list of items for the seller to repair.

I usually insist that my clients are present for the home inspection. I tell them it’s much like buying a car. You can’t tell if it has problems unless you take it to a mechanic and have them explain what needs to be fixed, the long-term effects and the costs.

At the Home Inspection

I arrange for the inspector to be at the property about an hour before I meet with the clients. This gives the inspector the opportunity to go through every nook and cranny without having to explain the process to the buyers. 

During the inspection the inspector looks for termites and other pests, foundation problems, roofing problems, mold, plumbing and drainage issues, old electrical or exposed wiring, gas leaks, as well as more cosmetic items such as leaky faucets, running toilets, squeaky floors, windows that don’t close, and old water heaters and older appliances.

Home Inspection Findings

After the inspection is finished, the inspector assembles a summary outlining the condition of the home. If items such as faulty foundation, electrical issues or other items that involve your safety are mentioned in the summary, that is your opportunity to cancel. However if slightly smaller problems arise, such as older (but working) appliances, squeaky floors, worn carpet or older roof, this is your opportunity to do one of three things, 1) ask the seller to fix those items, 2) renegotiate your offer to reflect those repairs and fix them yourself after you move in, or 3) cancel the contract.

If the repairs are mostly cosmetic, I encourage my buyers to look at the report as a positive! It’s a manual on how to maintain your new home. Go ahead with the offer, but spend some time with the inspector going through the items that need repair. I work with Barry Wong, the owner at Building Specs. He’s great! He spends plenty of time with the buyers going over things like how often to change the air filter, how long the old appliances will last or how much longer that old roof will hold up. With that information, you can set up a budget for future repairs, and put aside the money you saved from renegotiating the deal to pay for everything. Remember the home inspection summary is not only items for repair, but items that are new or in great shape! So weigh the pros and cons seriously before walking away from your dream home due to a leaky roof or squeaky floor.

The average cost for a home inspection on Oahu ranges from $350 - $800-plus, depending on your square footage.

I throughly enjoy helping my clients find their dream home. If you have any questions about anything in real estate, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Wade Uehara

Prudential Locations, Pearlridge 
98-161 Kaonohi Street 
Aiea  HI   96701
Office: (808) 488-7700 
Office Fax: (808) 484-3325
Direct Line: (808) 485-4707
Mobile: (808) 454-7146
Email: wade.uehara@pruhawaii.com