Although home inspections aren’t required by law, most investors can’t afford to do without the benefits they offer.
It’s best to find out about potential problems before you make a purchase so that your investment property doesn’t turn into a money pit. This guide will help real estate investors figure out the answer to the question“How long does a house inspection take?” We’ll go through what a home inspection is, why it is necessary, and the factors that impact how long it lasts.
Related: How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost in 2019?
What is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection entails examining the systems, structural components, and the overall condition of a property. It is done by a certified home inspector, an unbiased third party whose main goal is to offer you an objective and complete assessment of the home’s condition.
The home inspector will examine the major systems of the premise for health, safety, and livability. This comprises the foundation, plumbing, electrical system, heating and cooling systems, and other components that are critical to the house’s operation.
They will search for signs of water damage, code violations, foundation issues, plumbing issues, flawed appliances, electrical issues among other things. However, a home inspection does not include cosmetic issues like chipped fixtures as they don’t influence the house’s safety and livability.
After a home inspection, the inspector puts their notes into a report, which is usually ready within 1-2 days of the inspection.
Related: Glossary of Common Property Inspection Terms
Why is a Home Inspection Important?
A home inspection is one of the most beneficial steps in the house-buying process, especially if you are a first-time buyer. You’ll discover a lot about your possible investment in the few hours it takes to conduct the inspection. Based on the findings of the home inspection, the buyer may choose to stick to the original offer contract and continue with the purchase, renegotiate their offer, ask for a repair credit, or back out of the deal.
If you decide to proceed with the purchase, your real estate agent may use the report as a bargaining weapon to reduce the sale price or request a credit for some of the repairs from the seller. The option to withdraw your offer is usually available if you make it a contingency in the purchase agreement.
Pay close attention to the severity of the issues and the expense of resolving each one of them. Your home inspector should be able to tell you whether or not the property you’re buying is a good real estate investment, despite its flaws. If you don’t conduct a home inspection, you’ll be in the dark about potential issues that could influence your purchase decision. Moreover, home inspections are usually necessary in order to obtain a mortgage and to complete offer contracts.
Factors that Determine the Duration of an Inspection
The answer to the question “How does a house inspection take?” depends on a number of variables. Generally speaking, the average home inspection takes about 2-3 hours. However, this may change depending on the following factors:
1. The Size of the House
There will be more elements to evaluate in larger homes. Therefore, inspecting them may take a relatively long time.
2. House Age and Condition
Older homes are more likely to have obsolete roofing, electrical, and plumbing systems. They may also have experienced previous damage. There are potentially more issues to look for and, thus, the inspection is likely to take longer. Inspectors have fewer issues to analyze and record in homes that are newer and still in excellent shape.
3. House Design and Systems
The design of the house also influences how long the home inspection takes as it affects accessibility. Inspecting a house with a yard, basement, and other features that make the process harder will definitely take longer.
4. State legislation
To answer the question “How long does a home inspection take?”, you must also consider the legislation in the state. Although there is no federal legislation requiring a home inspection, states frequently have inspection regulations.
What goes into an inspection report varies by state, especially when it comes to inspection of homes in older neighborhoods with more probable outdated systems. This might affect how long the home inspection takes.
5. Home Inspector’s Experience
When trying to figure out “how long should a home inspection take?”, the inspector’s experience is also important. An experienced home inspector will be familiar with the area, know what to look for in houses depending on how old they are, and know how to access systems that are more difficult to reach. If the home inspector is new to the job, he or she may take longer to complete the task.
6. The Weather Conditions During the Inspection
When it’s snowing, raining, or extremely windy, this becomes much more difficult for inspectors to do their job. Adverse weather conditions may delay the inspection process or cause it to be postponed.
How to Reduce Home Inspection Time
If you need to buy quickly and are anxiously wondering how long do home inspections take, it’s possible to expedite the process.
Here are a few tips on how to prepare for a home inspection in order for it to take a shorter time:
1. Make Sure All the Paperwork is Ready
To speed up a pre-purchase home inspection, gather the house’s maintenance receipts ahead of time so the inspector has a better understanding of its history.
2. Make the House More Accessible
You can also speed up the inspection process by making sure that the house is cleared of clutter and the difficult-to-access areas of the house, such as crawlspaces and furnaces, are made more accessible. This will make it easier for the inspector to navigate.
3. Do Your Due Diligence Before Hiring a Home Inspector
To ensure your inspection goes smoothly, make sure that they are licensed, experienced, and can offer complete inspection services. Your real estate agent may be able to recommend inspectors with whom they have previously worked. You can also ask family or friends who have just acquired a home whether to recommend somebody. Don’t just go for the one with the lowest fees. Some may be more costly, but they may also provide a more complete report and have more experience. It’s all up to you and how much money you’re willing to pay.
Related: How to Do Your Real Estate Due Diligence When Buying an Investment Property
The Bottom Line
Home inspections are an important aspect of the home buying process, especially for a real estate investor. Despite the fact that they are not required by law, they are an important part of the home-buying process. However, there isn’t a single answer to the question “How long does a home inspection take?”.
The length of time it takes to do a home inspection is determined by a number of factors including the house’s size, age, and condition, the accessibility of its systems, and the inspector’s experience. You can significantly reduce your home inspection time by having all the essential documents on hand and ensuring that the residence is accessible.
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