Get an Unbiased, Professional Evaluation of the Property
Hiring a professional home inspector prior to purchasing a home in Detroit provides buyers with an objective, unbiased assessment of the property’s overall condition. A home inspection allows buyers to make an informed decision and identify any issues early on.
Experienced Inspectors Know What to Look For
Qualified home inspectors have extensive knowledge about building infrastructure, housing codes, common problems specific to the Detroit area climate, and more. They know exactly what to scrutinize and will conduct a much more thorough inspection than a typical buyer walking through the home. Home inspectors check important systems and features such as:
- Foundation and structure
- Roof and attic areas
- Electrical systems
- Heating and cooling systems
- Plumbing and drainage systems
- Potential areas of moisture damage
- Safety issues such as smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors etc.
Inspectors Provide a Detailed Inspection Report
At the end of a 3-4 hour long inspection, home inspectors provide a detailed report outlining any issues or areas of concern discovered during the inspection along with recommendations for repairs or further evaluation by specialized tradespeople.
As a buyer, this information empowers you to make repairs and address problems early on, negotiate with the seller for price adjustments to cover repair costs, or potentially back out of a contract if serious undisclosed issues are revealed.
Avoid Costly Hidden Repairs After Purchase
Purchasing a home without a professional inspection leaves buyers vulnerable to inheriting a myriad of hidden, unexpected and costly repairs shortly after moving in. This is especially true of older homes in Detroit which may have chronic problems due to deferred maintenance.
Uncover Critical Flaws Before Purchase
A home inspection performed prior to purchase can uncover issues such as active roof leaks, mold issues from plumbing leaks or foundation damage hidden behind drywall which the average buyer would likely never notice during a standard walkthrough. Identifying such serious issues in advance protects the buyer from expensive repairs down the road.
Determine If Upgrades Like Electrical are Needed
While not a major safety issue, best home inspection Detroit MI may also reveal outdated electricity that needs upgrading to meet modern usage demands. Catching such problems early allows buyers to get repair estimates ahead of time to factor into purchase decisions versus being saddened by an overhaul quote shortly after moving in.
Get Guidance on Proper Maintenance
Beyond identifying problems that already exist, a home inspection report also provides buyers with guidance on appropriate maintenance to extend the life of the home.
Learn About Specific Maintenance Needs
Home inspectors can advise buyers on specific seasonal maintenance needs based on materials and build style of a home. For example, inspectors would note that flat roof areas prone to leaf clutter accumulation require fall gutter cleaning to prevent premature roof wear from backed up water pooling.
Create a Preventative Maintenance Calendar
Drawing on their extensive housing knowledge, inspectors provide tips for buyers to create a full maintenance calendar covering monthly, yearly and longer term preventative upkeep tasks unique to each home. Following such a customized plan helps buyers protect their investment and avoid issues stemming from neglect down the road.
Ensure Home Still Meets Codes and Zoning
Municipal building codes and zoning regulations change over the years meaning older homes don’t always comply with modern rules even if considered legal at the time of initial construction.
Confirm Home Can be Legally Occupied
A home inspector helps buyers confirm whether a home still meets occupancy codes related to minimum room sizes, ceiling heights, sanitation, electrical capacity and similar regulations. This provides peace of mind that a buyer won’t be slapped with violations after moving in and be forced into expensive retrofitting to legally occupy the home.
Check Appropriate Zoning Usage
Likewise, inspectors also verify that zoning allows for legal usage such as confirming detached garages or accessory dwelling units can house occupants if a buyer intends rent them out. This protects against headaches of bylaw crackdowns on illegal dwellings discovered after purchase.
Negotiate Repairs or Price Adjustments
Armed with a professional home inspection report, buyers gain leverage in negotiations with the seller on any issues uncovered.
Get Sellers to Fix Problems Before Closing
Ideally the sellers will agree to proactively repair issues prior to sale finalization for buyer satisfaction peace of mind. If repairs would require significant funds, buyers may be able secure agreements for sellers to provide sum credits at closing instead.
Adjust Offer Price to Cover Future Repairs
Alternatively, buyers can renegotiate purchase pricing downward to cover costs that will be incurred for repairs they take on the burden to correct post closing. Sellers are typically more reasonable to such requests when concrete inspection reports evidence the basis versus just buyer speculation alone.
Having highlighted why obtaining a professional home inspection is so valuable for buyers in the Detroit market, it is clear inspectors provide house hunting guidance well worth the relatively small upfront investment cost. Working with a trusted local inspector protects home buyers and gets any home purchase off to the right start.