You may have heard stories of people buying a house sight unseen and waiving inspection, so why is it so important to get a home inspection? Read our blog that gives the top 6 reasons realtors recommend getting a home inspection.

Lingering questions? Contact us today to speak with an experienced Twin Cities realtor!

1. Peace of Mind & Education

  • One of the most important reasons to hire an inspector is to gain peace of mind and learn about the home you're purchasing.
  • Inspectors are incredibly knowledgable about homeownership and give advice on how to maintain your home in the best way possible.

2. Add-On Services

  • Our top 2 recommended add-on services are radon tests and sewer scopes. Depending on the condition of the house you may wish to add on other services as well.
  • Radon Test 
    • Radon is an odorless gas in soil that can enter homes through the foundation. It can be detrimental to you and your family's health if left untreated. 
  • Sewer Scope
    • A licensed technician will use a camera attached to a long cable to record the entire stretch of sewer from the house to where it connects to the city's pipes. 
    • If any problems arise in a sewer line, it is the homeowner's responsibility to repair the line, which can be an extremely costly expense. 
    • We have seen countless broken sewer lines in the past two years and encourage every client to add this to their inspection!
  • Mold Test
  • Moisture Identification
    • Inspectors can use infrared scanners to identify areas in the house with a moisture presence.
    • They will also check the attic and crawl spaces for proper ventilation.
  • Rodents 
    • Inspectors will identify areas in the home that may allow rodents to intrude and give recommendations on how to fix those areas.

3. Appliances

  • Inspectors will test all appliances in home (depending on weather), to ensure they're functioning properly.
  • They will let you know how old your large appliances are and what their life expectancy is.
  • This information is vital to homeownership and potentially avoiding a big expense or having time in order to budget for replacement.

4. Exterior Condition

  • Inspectors provide important information about the condition and materials used on the exterior of the house.
  • They will evaluate the grading of the land surrounding the house's foundation.
  • They evaluate the condition of the roof and give an estimate of age. Inspectors will also identify any potential leaks or areas prone to damage.
  • Unfortunately, it is impossible for inspectors to analyze a roof that is covered in snow, which can making buying a house during a Minnesota winter a little difficult! In that instance, it would be helpful if the current homeowners know when the roof was installed.

5. Electric

  • Inspectors will test all electrical outlets to ensure they are properly grounded and ensure GFCI outlets are installed where necessary.
  • They will examine the electrical panel to identify corrosion or any potential problems.

6. Structure

  • Inspectors will identify any existing cracks or settling in the foundation of the house.
  • They will examine the supports in the house to ensure they are properly spaced and working to support the structure.

There are many great inspectors throughout the Twin Cities, let us know if you need a recommendation. One of our realtors will be in touch as soon as possible.