10 Home Buying Secrets: #7 - Inspect a Home Thoroughly BEFORE Making an Offer

Posted by Leo Clark. on Friday, October 31st, 2014 at 9:59pm.

Home Buying Secrets

If you've ever been in the market for a used car, some of the first things that usually come to mind during a search are what kind of condition a car may be in, how well it runs, and what kind of potential problems could arise should you decide to make the purchase. In some cases, you might even look under the hood to do a quick once-over, or take it to a mechanic to do a full-blown inspection.  

Well, given most homes are a much larger financial commitment than any car or truck you'll buy, it's always a good idea to do the same kind of thorough inspection prior to making an offer, even if it's an out-of-pocket cost to you—the buyer.  

Of course during any home buying process, there's always an inspection period that acts as a systematic evaluation of the condition of the property, which of course is done prior to closing. But even before you submit and offer, it's sometimes a good idea to bring in someone to give a quick physical examination of the property, making sure nothing immediate stands out.  

One advantage to bringing in an inspector before making an offer is that you can use any such feedback as a bargaining chip during negotiations to lower the price of the home right away. Secondly, brining in an inspection almost immediately can save you tons of time down the road, ensuring a quick and easy transaction, should you decide to move forward. As many experienced home buyers already know, there's nothing worse than getting read to close on a home and having issues arise last-minute during the inspection. Lots of time has been lost in the meantime, and if the deal ends up falling through, there's a good chance you've also missed out on other homes that may have sold in the meantime.

Home Buying Secret #1: Tighten Up Your Spending 3-6 Months Prior to Buying a Home

Home Buying Secret #2: Know the Difference Between Pre-Qualified & Pre-Approved

Home Buying Secret #3: Don't Try to Time the Market

Home Buying Secret #4: Bigger Isn't Always Better

Home Buying Secret #5: Prepare For Inevitable Sleeper Costs

Home Buying Secret #6: Take Out the Emotion

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