Thinking about buying a home can make anyone worried about things they don’t know. That’s why home inspections are important. They help you make an informed purchase decision before you buy. But many people wait until after the inspection to learn about the home and how inspections work. Here are the top 3 mistakes buyers often make before they get their home inspection.

Not Checking the Permits: Every home has a history of permits. These are official permissions to build or change something in the house granted by the city or county. Most permits are available through a quick search. Consider a house built in 1970 which shows no roof permit in the last 50 years. This might mean the roof is very old, not done well, or done cheaply to save money. Permits can also tell you how old the air conditioning and water heater are. If there are no permits at all, it could mean the house was not updated. Most systems in a home work well for about 20 years before needing repairs.
Not Knowing What the Inspection Covers: Some buyers don’t know what inspectors look at during a home inspection. Many want every part of the house checked, which makes sense. But there are rules and limits set by the state and inspection associations. For example, inspectors don’t have to inspect any system that could cause more damage to the home or be dangerous for them. This means they don’t have to check every inch of the attic or break drywall to find mold in rooms. To understand this better, read the inspection agreement and learn about the laws in your state.
Saying No to Extra Services: During an inspection, you might be offered extra services, but some buyers decline. Even though these services might cost a couple hundred upfront, they could save the buyer THOUSANDS later on. For instance, if the home has old cast iron pipes, it’s a good idea to pay a bit more for a sewerscope. This service could find problems that a normal inspection might miss, and fixing these issues could be a costly surprise if undetected.

Getting ready for a home inspection is smart if you want to make a good choice. Avoiding these three mistakes – not looking into permits, not knowing what the inspection includes, and skipping extra services – can help you feel more confident about your decision to buy a house.