Blog 2024 Real Estate Save Thousands: Perform Your Own Inspections When Buying a Home

Save Thousands: Perform Your Own Inspections When Buying a Home

By Lily Ray Wyss, June 19, 2024

Here is how you can potentially save your self thousands of dollars:

Buying a home is a significant milestone and financial commitment in anyone’s life. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or seasoned investor, one of the crucial steps in the process is the home inspection. In the Portland Oregon Real Estate Market, it’s typical for buyers to arrange and pay for their own inspections. However, there are scenarios where sellers might provide pre-listing inspections or share reports from previous transactions. While this might seem convenient, it’s not always in the buyer’s best interest to skip their own inspections.

Here Is Why You Should Perform Your Own Inspections:

Quality Varies Among Inspectors

I have a list of amazing inspectors I recommend to my client. However, not all inspectors are created equal, and there can be significant differences in the quality of inspection reports. A report from a trusted inspector can provide invaluable insights into the condition of the property, and potentially uncovering issues that might not be immediately apparent.

Human Error is Possible

Even the best inspectors are human and can miss things. By conducting your own inspection, you increase the likelihood of catching any overlooked issues. Multiple sets of eyes on a property can reveal different perspectives and insights that contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the homes condition.

Financial and Peace of Mind Benefits

Investing in a home inspection typically costs between $800 to $1,000, depending on the size of the home and type of property. While this might seem like an additional expense, it is a crucial investment that can save you thousands of dollars in potential repair costs down the line. Knowing the true condition of the property also provides peace of mind, allowing you to make informed decisions about your purchase.

The Importance of Due Diligence

Buying a home involves substantial financial commitment, and skipping or relying solely on seller-provided inspections can be risky. Sellers may not disclose all issues, and even well-intentioned pre-listing inspections might not capture everything. Conducting your own inspections ensures that you have a thorough understanding of the property’s condition and empowers you during negotiations.

Conclusion

To summarize, while there might be occasional circumstances where sellers provide comprehensive inspections, or the rare case where you may need to “waive” inspections to secure a home that has already been pre-inspected. In general, performing your own inspections will always be your best bet. Remember, buying a home is a significant milestone, and investing in professional inspections is a small price to pay for the long-term security and peace of mind it provides.

If you’re considering buying a home in Portland or want to learn more about the home buying process, I’m here to help. Let’s connect and discuss how I can assist you in navigating through the complexities of real estate transactions. Together, we can ensure that you are motivated, educated, and empowered to make the best decisions for your future home purchase. Contact me to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards owning your dream home.

Lily Ray Wyss

Broker | OR

She/Her

I love Portland. This city, and its surrounding areas, in my opinion, are the perfect place to call home. We have the amazing ability to put our toes in the ocean, snowboard, and visit some of the world's best breweries all in one day. Our food scene is extremely diverse and prolific. Want to see a show? Comedy, music, theater, etc all have growing, well-supported scenes here. I love selling homes in Portland and more importantly educating my clients and community on how amazing this city is and how you can own a piece of this beautiful state and call it home. Follow me on Instagram to see my new finds and spotlights on the best places to eat, play, and be entertained in the area. And for information on buying/selling and current home market data. Follow at: @lilyrayresidential
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  • T: 971-361-6114
  • lily@lilyrayres.com

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