So your offer has been accepted on your dream home, and the sale is almost a done deal. But don’t start packing just yet - there’s still a home inspection to get through. Typically a Minnesota home inspection occurs after you’ve signed a purchase agreement and before the final closing date.
Savvy home buyers usually make the closing contingent upon the results of the home inspection. If the inspector finds a major issue, you can either: back out of the sale, request the repairs as a contingency or you can offer a lower price to take the repairs into account.
Understandably you want the home inspection to go as smoothly as possible as you don’t want the deal to fall through. Keep reading so you know what to expect and how much you’ll pay for a home inspection in Minnesota.
What will the inspector be checking?
A house inspector will conduct a thorough top to bottom check of the house. Emphasis is placed on the roof, attic, basement, foundations, furnace rooms, walls, plumbing and electrical systems, heating and cooling systems. Other systems such as garbage disposals, range hoods, bathroom ventilation fans, smoke, and carbon monoxide detectors will also be checked for their operational ability.
As well as the interior of a house, the inspector will also look at the exterior for signs of damage and wear and tear. They’ll usually check trims, siding, and caulking around windows and doors.
What to look for in a home inspection?
Generally, an inspector will be looking for easy access throughout the property. Any areas of clutter that impede access to areas or systems will raise a red flag. For example, a cluttered space under a sink could be hiding leaks, mold, mildew, and other signs of water damage. A full to the brim attic could conceal a warped or buckled ceiling.
They’ll look to see if internal doors open and close as they should, that doorknobs are secure, and that kitchen cabinets aren’t faulty, and door hinges close correctly. Exterior door locks also need to be functioning correctly.
While they won’t expect the home to be spotless, they will be alerted if a house is particularly messy or requires basic maintenance jobs as it can suggest the property hasn’t been well looked after. For example, blown bulbs could suggest faulty electrical wiring or a running toilet may be part of a more significant plumbing issue.
How much does a home inspection cost?
On average, a home inspection cost in Minnesota ranges between $200 to $400. If the home is over 2,000 sq ft, you can expect to pay the higher end of the scale, if you’re buying a small house or condo you’ll pay the lower end of the range.
How long does a home inspection take?
In general, a home inspection will take around two hours to complete. Again this depends on the size of the home, the age, the condition, and if you require any additional services, such as mold testing.
Can I attend the house inspection?
Most companies encourage the homebuyer to be present at the house inspection so they can have a better understanding of the property they are buying. Any questions and concerns can be answered on the spot and explained in more detail. Written down on a report, such findings may appear worse than they are.
Remember, the house you are buying won’t be perfect, and there will likely be minor repairs that will be noted by the inspector. Usually, these aren’t serious enough to stop a sale going through. More severe problems, however, can affect the sale of your house going through.
Repairs will need to be added as a contingency and addressed by the seller before the closing date. You could also offer a lower price and do the repairs yourself when you take possession. If the seller refuses to pay for any repairs, and you don’t want to take them on, you have the option to back out of the sale.