You might ask why having a home inspection is important when you’ve already spent a good deal of time looking at the property with your realtor or your family and checking to make sure everything is in good shape. The unknowns can end up affecting you deeply financially, so let’s dive in and discuss the main reasons for having a home inspection.

If you don’t already know an inspector, ask for referrals, check reviews, and look at the company’s website and references. Ask if the inspector who will do the work is certified. You should expect an organized report with plenty of detail and photos. It is important to find one who cares!

If you’re a prospective buyer of the home that’s being inspected, it’s recommended that you walk through with the inspector during the process. Make sure to ask any questions that you think of during the inspection in order to be more knowledgeable about the home you’re buying.

After a home inspection is completed, you can ask your real estate agent to negotiate any necessary repairs with the sellers or ask the sellers to lower the price so you can fix the problems yourself. However, a buyer should be aware that a seller is not obligated to fix anything.

In in the long run, you'll be glad you went with a home inspection. If you are a first-time homebuyer, an inspection can give you a crash course in home maintenance and a checklist of items that need attention to make your home as safe as possible.