In Virginia’s booming market, the median home price is $419,200. However, 86% of buyers find a defect in their potential new home through a home inspection. This often leads to a whopping $14,000 spent on repairs.
For just $400, you can uncover hidden defects in the property, saving you from a financial nightmare. Don’t let your dream home in the Old Dominion State turn into a money pit!
What Is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection is an assessment of a property to determine its condition. The process includes examining the HVAC system, structural aspects of the house, electrical system, and plumbing system. Once the inspection is complete, the home inspector submits their report to the respective parties.
The home inspection report is also an influential factor in the home appraisal process. The defects listed in the report will have a bearing on the total appraised value of the property and the loan amount you will receive.
What Does a Home Inspection Cover in Virginia?
A home inspection looks for all the major and minor defects in a property. It also checks for any possible safety hazards present in the house. Here are some of the inspections that are covered:
| Type of Inspection | What Is Inspected? |
| Roof Inspection | This inspection helps to examine mold, water leakage, structural damage, and more. |
| HVAC Inspection | Heat, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are tested in this inspection. |
| Plumbing Inspection | It involves the inspection of pipelines, sewage lines, sinks, toilets, and more. |
| Electrical Inspection | It identifies faulty electrical wiring, overloaded circuits, or a lack of earthing. |
| Foundation Inspection | This inspection includes checks for cracks, mildew, damaged floorboards, and more. |
Why Get a Home Inspection in Virginia?
When you buy a house in Virginia, every lender requires an inspection report before mortgage pre-approval. You can also include a home inspection contingency in your purchase agreement, which lets you renegotiate your deal.
If the home inspection report highlights major flaws in the property, you can choose to back out of the deal. The contingency clause in the contract gives you 7 to 10 days to do so.
What Do Home Inspectors Look for in Virginia?
In a home inspection, an inspector checks two major aspects to assess the overall condition of a property:
- Structural Aspects of the House: It includes the foundation, roof, walls, and floor. A home inspector looks for minor or major cracks, leakages, or damages.
- The Essential Systems: These include heating and cooling (HVAC), plumbing, electrical, and other systems and appliances. They check for leakages, exposed wires, uneven airflow throughout the house, and more.
- đź“ť A Home Inspector Isn’t Your Financial Advisor: A VA house inspector can only provide you with information about the property’s defects and suggestions to repair them. They cannot tell you whether to buy the property or not.
What Happens After a Home Inspection in Virginia?
Once the home inspection is complete, 4 possible scenarios could unfold:
- You Close on the Sale: You may end up buying the property as agreed upon without changing the asking price.
- The Seller Makes the Necessary Repairs: Sometimes, sellers can fix some issues found in the inspection report before closing.
- The Final Sale Price Is Reduced: You can negotiate with the seller to reduce the asking price by the amount that would be used for repairs.
- You Cancel the Deal: If an issue is discovered that is a safety hazard, you can walk out of the deal.
Don’t focus on the number of problems reported; make a decision based on the severity of the issues. After you get the inspection report, you can ask for repairs or renegotiate the deal.
Bottom Line
Many home buyers avoid home inspections to beat the competitive market. However, this is more expensive, as they shell out thousands of dollars on repairs. If you plan to get a mortgage for your new home, you will require an inspection report.
A home inspection report can help you decide whether to proceed or back out of the deal. If you choose to back out, you can continue your search for your new home that’s free from major defects.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a home inspection take in Virginia?
A home inspection generally takes about 2 to 4 hours in Virginia, depending on the size of the property.
Does a home inspection affect the home appraisal in Virginia?
Yes, a home inspection affect the appraisal, but only if the home inspector finds some major defects that affect the property's value negatively. For example, if the property has foundation defects like heaving or sinking, it can reduce the home's value by 10% to 20%.
Who pays for a home inspection in Virginia, the buyer or the seller?
Buyers pay for home inspections if they perform one after making an offer. Sellers can also pay for an inspection if they conduct it before listing their home on the Virginia MLS.
