Interpreting Your Home Inspection Report: What Every Homebuyer Should Know

person with clipboard in front of electrical box

Posted: December 9th, 2024

Get to Know Your New Home Inside and Out

Picture this: you’ve been searching for your dream home for some time now with no luck, but this afternoon, it’s different. Your Realtor opens the front door and welcomes you into a home that checks all the boxes: it has the right kitchen, a great primary suite, and a fantastic outdoor living space. You love it from top to bottom. You’re sold, and you’re ready to sign on the dotted line. But your Realtor tells you to pump the brakes–you should get an inspection first.

Even if you’ve explored every little nook and corner of your potential new home, most good Realtors will recommend that you hire professionals to inspect the property before you go through with the purchase. You may be tempted to dismiss the inspection as just another expense in the process, but it’s much more important than that. Here’s why:

It can uncover any safety issues hidden beneath the surface. Issues like water damage and pest infestations aren’t apparent to the naked eye, so a thorough inspection can help keep you and your family safe and healthy should you choose to move in.
It can reveal permit and code issues. If you’re inheriting a home with any altered rooms that were not properly permitted or up to code, those problems will become your burdens to fix. Make sure you’re not walking into an unwinnable situation with a professional inspection.
It can serve as a powerful negotiation tool. When you receive a comprehensive list of issues from your inspection, you can use that report to negotiate repairs or price reductions with the seller. Your Realtor can help you seek the right price and concessions based on the report’s findings.
It can help you prepare for any future repairs and replacements. A professional inspection will show you the ages of the major components of your home, like your plumbing, electrical, and roof. Knowing this can help you prepare for any necessary updates on the horizon.
It can help you make a logical decision about your home purchase. Finding and buying a home is an emotional experience; potential homeowners tend to become attached to aesthetic features like the color of the walls or the pretty bay window in the kitchen nook. Getting to know the bones of your future home can help you make a less emotional and more logical decision about your purchase.

Additionally, some lenders require an inspection before they approve a home loan. Now that you know why you need an inspection, let’s dive into what you can expect from your report.

Understanding the Structure of Your Report

Most professional inspections have a standardized structure so you can easily review and interpret the results. The following are a few sections and features you’ll find as you peruse your report.

Summary Page: At the front of your report, you’ll find a comprehensive summary page that discusses the overall condition of your home as well as any major issues found throughout the structure. The summary page will usually rate the severity of the issues as well as the urgency with which they should be addressed. This is the perfect starting point for your review, as it will draw your attention to any potential dealbreakers and significant deficiencies.

Detailed Inspection Sections: Following the summary, you’ll find a series of sections detailing the findings from each major point of interest in the home. Your inspector will investigate the roof, the electrical and plumbing systems, ventilation, doors and windows, and beyond. Beyond major pressing issues, these sections will usually offer suggestions for expected replacement times as well as possible fixes for issues.

Photos and Diagrams: Your inspector will include photos and diagrams in the report that can help show you the condition of the home as well as provide evidence of any discovered issues. These visual aids can help you understand what you’re facing beyond the technical jargon.

Common Findings in Home Inspection Reports

According to the Inspection Support Network, the most common home inspection findings are related to roof, window, and electrical issues. Let’s take a closer look at a few of these common problems.

Roof issues: In 2022, over 19% of home inspection reports highlighted issues with roofing. Not only are roof problems the most commonly found issue, but they’re also one of the most expensive problems to fix. Your inspector will let you know of any cracks and leaks as well as the condition of the roofing materials so that you can prepare in advance for potential repairs and replacements.

Electrical issues: Aluminum wiring, outdated electrical boxes, and a lack of available outlets can cause real safety concerns for you and your family. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, improper electrical systems cause 51,000 house fires each year. Not only that, but the presence of such defects can make it nearly impossible to secure home insurance. Pay close attention to your inspector’s recommendations about your electrical systems.

Window issues: The state of your windows is more than just a cosmetic consideration. Old, poorly sealed windows can be detrimental to your home’s insulation, costing you extra in electricity costs. What’s more, here in Florida, it’s critical that you have windows that are able to withstand hurricane winds. Your inspector will let you know which windows should be replaced immediately, and which ones may need attention in some time.

What to Do After You Receive Your Inspection Report

So, now that you know the inner workings of your potential new home, what should you do? If the inspection report shows no major issues that need to be addressed, great! You can continue with your home purchase as planned. But if red flags do appear, the following are a few of the next steps you can take:

Discuss the findings with your realtor. Your experienced real estate agent has been through countless inspections, so they’ll be able to help you decipher the report and plan the best course of action. They may be able to put you in touch with preferred specialists who can give you a realistic estimate of the cost and extent of necessary repairs.

Negotiate on your contract. Your inspection report can be an important negotiation tool. Use it to negotiate with sellers for repairs and/or price adjustments.

Reassess your decision. If the issues with your selected house are too severe, it might be a smarter idea to search for a different one instead. Inspection reports can help you focus on the facts instead of letting your emotions guide you into your home purchase.

Plan for future maintenance. If you do decide to continue with your purchase despite the findings of the inspection, you can use the report to make a timeline for future maintenance and replacements.

Don’t Skip the Inspection on Your Brevard County Home

A detailed home inspection report is a valuable asset in your purchase process. It can help guide you to the safest, most suitable home where you and your family can thrive–and it can help ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. With a trusted real estate agent as your partner, you can rest assured that you’ll be happy in your new home for years to come.

Ready to start your home search? Get in touch with Ellingson Properties at 321-750-7050 today.