Buying a home can be one of life’s most stressful experiences. Surprisingly, many Americans make this important step without a professional home inspection. Read our following guide to learn the top 10 reasons to get a home inspection before signing on the dotted line.

Uncover Safety Issues

Home inspections are absolutely necessary to uncover potential safety issues. Home inspections can uncover mold, faulty wiring, carbon monoxide, radon, and other hidden issues that may put your family’s health at risk.

Document Illegal Additions or Installations

Although not always obvious to the homebuyer, additions, renovations, or installations that don’t meet current building codes may affect your taxes, insurance, and home value.

Reveal Pest or Insect Infestations

Home inspections can reveal unwelcome pests in the attic or termites in the walls before you move in with them.

Pinpoint Structural Issues

While the home may seem sturdy and well built, underlying foundation or structural issues can be quite costly to repair and can even affect your insurance coverage.

Meet Insurance Requirements

Depending upon the location of the home, insurance providers may require you to acquire specialized certifications or meet certain requirements to protect against water damage, flooding, or foundation issues.

Forecast Future Expenses

An experienced home inspector can give you an estimate on how long the current appliances and systems may last before needing repair or replacement.

Obtain Maintenance and Improvement Advice

If you are a first-time homebuyer, a home inspector can offer invaluable advice on how to maintain and upgrade the home’s existing features. They may also be able to recommend remodeling contractors, electricians, and heating and cooling services in Minneapolis if necessary.

See the Big Picture

It’s easy to get fall in love or get hung up on certain aesthetic aspects of a house. A home inspection can provide you with a concrete list of pros and cons that can help you see the big picture and make the right decision.

Fuel Negotiations

A home inspection is one of the best negotiating tools around. You can use any shortcomings or deficiencies as bargaining chips for a price reduction or other concessions.

Retain One Last Chance to Retract Your Offer

A home inspection report that documents deficiencies can give you one last chance to back out of your offer to buy the home.