Do I Need To Do a Final Inspection When Purchasing a House?

When you are interested in purchasing a home, you have the right to a home inspection to determine the property’s condition. It covers the roof to the foundation and everything in between. 

The home inspector will offer you a comprehensive analysis of the integrity of the house and the major appliances within it. After you receive this home inspection report, you might have some concerns. 

Perhaps there are safety hazards present or some components of the home are not operational. You can’t just move in without necessary repairs. So naturally, you ask the seller to fix them. 

The entire home buying process is fast, and sellers are often eager to close the deal. They accept your stipulations, and you happily wait for the day you receive the keys to your new investment. 

Hold on and back up because you have skipped an extremely crucial step that could cost you big time. 

You should go on a buyer’s final walk-through before closing. And during that walk-through, it’s always beneficial to have a licensed and certified home inspector by your side.

What is a Final Inspection?

Between seven and two days before you make the purchase official, you need to verify the condition of the property. They called this “the buyer’s final walk-through.”

During the stroll around the residence, you and a home inspector should investigate the property to determine if the house is in the same or better condition than it was at the initial home inspection. Although you do not need a final inspection before purchasing a house, it is an invaluable asset in the home buying process.

The primary focus of a final inspection is to confirm that:

• All the permanent fixtures of the home are intact and functioning. 
• Repairs were addressed correctly.
• No additional damage is present. 

The Bottom Line: 

Before signing, be certain that you are receiving exactly what you are paying for. Go on your final walkthrough with a trusted inspector. 

Preparing for a Final Inspection

A few weeks before your final inspection, check with your real estate agent. Ask if the property will have gas and electricity on at the time of your final walkthrough. If the sellers plan to disconnect the services, arrange for them to be switched to your name.

The reason for this is simple — you need to check that your lights, HVAC system, and water heater still work. You will also want to determine if you have running water.

If you do not have gas or electricity supplied to your new residence, you won’t be able to confirm that the crucial components of a liveable home are in full working order.

A Trained Eye Makes a Big Difference

You may ask yourself, “Why can’t I just walk through the property by myself?” 

The short answer is: You can. 

Many people inspect their new home alone before they sign. But when you perform your final walk-through by yourself, you run the risk of missing critical clues to potential problems. 

You are not trained to identify the materials, techniques, and methods used to renovate a building like a professional inspector. 

Inspectors have the knowledge to report what is:

• A code violations
• Safety hazards
• Construction defects
• Contractor errors

Even the best contractors can make mistakes that will hurt you down the road. 

Let’s imagine for a moment that the initial home inspection reveals an issue with the plumbing. The owners should hire professional contractors, but what if they don’t? 

The owners decide to fix it themselves instead of hiring a proficient contractor. You inspect the house alone and think everything is fine. The sale goes through and you never see the sellers again. But a few days, weeks, or months later, the pipes burst, and your new home floods.

The price of a final inspection is nothing close to the cost of extensive water damage. If only you hired an inspector to walk through the property with you, you may have caught it sooner.

Divinity Inspection Service Provides Final Inspections for Tampa Bay Homes

Our team of experts will be happy to assist you in the home buying process by giving you valuable knowledge about the home, both inside and out. If you need a licensed and certified inspector to help you discover the hidden damage and defects on the property you want to purchase, schedule an inspection with us today!