Find Out How Home Inspections Work, When They Happen & What to Expect from Them as a Buyer or Seller
A home inspection can be a critical part of the home purchase process. In fact, whether you’re a buyer or seller, a home inspection can be a bargaining chip, a point of discovery, and even a peace-of-mind step that’s essential to advancing a deal.
Still, home inspections are NOT part of every transaction. Many houses are bought and sold without home inspections simply because of the choices or agreements made by buyers and sellers.
So, will you need to get a home inspection if you’re buying or selling a house? And how do home inspections work, what should you look out for, and who pays for them?
This guide to home inspections answers those questions and more, so you can take full advantage of this part of the process — and so you can make informed decisions that will best serve you going forward.
What Is the Home Inspection & When Does It Happen?
Home inspections are visual evaluations of residential structures that examine the condition of housing systems, components, and features. These inspections can occur:
- As one of the first steps in the closing process: Home inspections typically take place right after a seller has accepted an offer — and before appraisals are done. That’s because the home inspection could reveal deal-breaking issues that would make it unnecessary to get the appraisal because the buyer doesn’t want the house anymore.
- If the buyers decide they want the home inspection: Buyers can choose to skip the home inspection if they want, moving forward with appraisals and the next steps in the closing process. This may speed up the process of closing on a home or be a useful bargaining chip in seller’s markets. Nevertheless, skipping home inspections can be a gamble.
If you’re a buyer or seller who is looking for a Professional Inspector in Texas, here is a list of all qualified Professional Inspectors by city, from the Texas Real Estate Commission.
What to Look Out for on Home Inspection Reports
When you get the home inspection report back, keep an eye out for anything minor or major that could be a reason to:
- Renegotiate the purchase price: Minor to moderate issues in the home inspection could give buyers pause and make them rethink how much they’re willing to pay for a house. This could occur with findings like plumbing leaks, HVAC system problems, or major appliances being at the end of their shelf life.
- See the deal to fall through: If a home inspection uncovers major problems with a house, buyers may be able to back out of the deal altogether. Sellers may be able to save these more fragile deals by offering to make certain repairs first, for instance.
With everything that’s on the line with the home inspection, you’ll want to look out for any issues or problems flagged with the following items, regardless of whether you’re a buyer or seller:
- Plumbing systems
- Electrical systems
- Foundation
- Roof and gutter systems
- Major appliances
- Pest and mold infestations
Who Pays for the Home Inspection?
It depends because buyers or sellers can shell out the cash for home inspections, depending on the terms of the purchase deal.
Usually, however, home buyers are the ones who request and pay for the home inspection. That’s because the inspection is really for the benefit of the buyer, giving the purchaser professional insight into the structure, condition, and potential issues with a house.
With that knowledge, the buyer may decide they no longer want to purchase the house. If that happens, a buyer may have the option to pull out of the deal if they included the right contingencies in the purchase agreement.
Still, some home sellers may offer to pay for home inspections in buyers’ markets or when they want to make a concession to move a deal forward.
How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost in Texas?
Pricing for home inspections in Texas varies by geographic area, the size of the home, and the experience of the inspector. Generally, however, the average cost of a home inspection in Texas is somewhere between $250 and $700. In major metros like Houston, Dallas, and Austin, the average home inspection tends to cost around $500.
What Happens After Home Inspections?
The next steps can depend on the results of the home inspection. If deals are solid after the home inspection, then the next steps in the closing process can take place, with appraisals, title searches, and more happening in the days or weeks that follow.
That can be really exciting — but it doesn’t mean the purchase is a done deal. There’s a lot of complex work that still has to take place, and an experienced Realtor at New Home Gurus can guide you every step way, whether you’re a buyer or a seller.
In fact, we work with home buyers and sellers across Texas, helping with offers, negotiations, and all aspects of closing. Plus, we split our commission with our clients after closing.
Homebuyers and sellers who work with New Home Gurus can get back an average of $4,500 to $12,000 at closing.
How Much Cash Can You Get after Closing?
Call (281) 668-8124 or Contact Us to Find Out Now
We are standing by, ready to answer your questions and explain the details of our commission-sharing program.