From Roof to Crawl Space: Understanding the Home Inspection Process

Mastering Home Inspections: A Guide for Metro Denver Sellers

When selling a home, understanding the inspection process is crucial. As we transition from prepping your home for sale to being under contract, it's time to focus on what happens during inspection day. Here’s an in-depth look at what to expect and how to navigate this essential step in the home-selling process.

What is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a comprehensive examination of a property to identify any potential safety hazards or necessary repairs. During this process, a qualified inspector will meticulously check every aspect of the home, from the roof to the crawl spaces. They will test electrical outlets, plumbing, and appliances, identifying what is in working order or what might need maintenance or replacement.

As I mentioned in my "Table Talks" series, the inspection process is where you hire a qualified inspector. The home gets looked up and down from the roof to the attics and the basements to the crawl spaces.

Choosing the Right Inspector

In Colorado, inspectors do not need to be licensed, making choosing one with the right equipment imperative. An effective inspector should not be alarming but informative, helping you understand your home for any urgent needs or maintenance issues.

One of my trusted partners is Chad from Reliable Solutions Inspection. If you're looking for a great inspector for your home, reach out to Chad or reach out to me and get Chad's number or his website rshinspections.com to schedule your inspection with him.

What Happens During the Inspection?

The inspector will provide a detailed report identifying any issues that need to be addressed. This includes everything from minor maintenance tasks to more significant safety concerns. The goal is not to bring the house up to the latest building codes but to ensure that the property is safe to live your best life in.

Inspectors will also provide useful information, such as how to operate the sprinkler system or locate the main water shut-off valve. These insights are invaluable for both sellers and buyers in understanding the property better.

Post-Inspection: The Resolution Process

Once the inspection is complete, you will review the report with your agent to decide what if anything needs to be fixed. This stage brings us to the inspection resolution. The resolution is an agreement between the seller and the buyer negotiated through their agents on what's going to be fixed, if anything, on the property.

Two possible ways to address the issues identified in the report:

• Professional Repairs: Hiring a licensed professional to fix or update the problems
• Financial Compensation: Providing a credit at closing to cover the cost of repairs

Final Walkthrough and Closing

Before closing, there will be a final walkthrough to ensure that all agreed-upon repairs have been completed. This is a crucial step to verify that the property is in the expected condition and that any safety issues have been resolved.

I always tell my clients that the inspection process is for safety issues. And if everyone agrees, we can move forward to appraisal.

If you are buying or selling a home or just want to understand your neighborhood micro-market. I love to talk about real estate, give me a call at (720) 626-9747.