Buying a house is one of life’s most important investments, and with that in mind it’s smart to have a home inspection done by a professional so you know what you’re “getting into.” If, for instance, a home inspector finds a major problem with a home’s furnace or pipes or roof, this is valuable information to help you determine whether or not to proceed with the purchase.

No property is perfect. However, some are better than others, and as a potential home buyer, you need to figure out in your own mind what you’re willing to deal with versus what could be a deal breaker. Oftentimes, after a home gets inspected, the current owner of the house will agree to fix up/replace/improve problems before you take ownership of the house—and that’s a good thing.

Inspectors look for problems such as pests in the walls, leaky roofs and cracks in the ceilings and foundation. Paying an inspector is worth the money, because it’s better to spend a couple hundred dollars to find out a home’s “secrets,” rather than buy it outright for a couple hundred thousand (without an inspection) and then discover costly repairs are needed.

Homes need to pass some basic tests (for lead, smoke detectors, etc.) in order to be legally sold, but the true test to pass is with you—the buyer. Once you know what needs improvement or replacing, you can negotiate with the seller to see if he or she will contribute to or complete the needed repairs. Should the repairs be too costly for the seller and you, then you always have the option to walk away from the deal and let that house be someone else’s headache.

Connect with real estate associate Alexis Hlady when you’re thinking of buying real estate/property in and around Edmonton—she can help you figure out the inspection process and if/how it’s possible to get out of a deal should repairs be too expensive.

Post by Alexis Hlady