What a Real Estate Agent Says...

Does location still matter most? Should you remodel your home to suit your tastes or for resale value? Are starter homes still a thing? We all have plenty of questions about the ever-changing world of real estate. In our Ask an Agent series, we’re partnering with experts at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate to answer your biggest questions about finding, buying, and selling a home.

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make, so it’s essential to approach each step with care. A professional home inspection is a must, but going in prepared can help ensure your unique concerns are addressed. To help you feel confident and informed, a real estate agent shares his top tips on what to ask and look for during a home inspection, so there are no surprises after you move in.

For this installment of Ask an Agent, we spoke with Ben Fox of the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Journey to learn what to ask and look for during a home inspection.

Ask an Agent: What Should I Ask and Look for During a Home Inspection?

The most important thing about this process is to hire a home inspector—make sure they are licensed and are proficient in the needs you have for your specific property. The liabilities you take on by not hiring one are immense, and it’s just not worth it. Through all my years of experience, regardless of whether it’s a new or resale home, I’ve never seen a perfect inspection. And even if they happen not to find anything wrong, inspectors will help teach you about the home you’re buying.

Next, always get access to the seller’s property disclosure ahead of the inspection and review it for any abnormalities, like an insurance claim or a repair they recently made. These are things you’d want the home inspector to zero in on to make sure they are up to code and your standards.

Overall, functionality is the main concern of a home inspection. This goes for both the interior and the exterior. It’s not just about the structure of the home; it’s also about the land around it. You should also know your plans for what you’re going to do with the home before the inspection. For example, if you plan to remodel, you should also bring in a contractor to help you understand the scope of the project and find ways to save you money ahead of construction.

New vs. Existing Homes

Even in a new home, it should still always be inspected. You will want to ensure that everything was done correctly—run every single appliance, conduct a thorough inspection of the roof, and verify that everything was done to code for that specific municipality.

When you’re looking at a resale home, the code is different for that house because it was built at a different time. Although any improvements that have been made must be up to the current code. You should also understand the age of all the appliances in the home, from the HVAC system to the water heater and the dishwasher. Then you know what maintenance might need to be done sooner rather than later.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.