A home inspection may not be the most exciting part of your home buying journey, but it is extremely important and can save you money and a major headache in the long run.

In a competitive housing market, there can sometimes be pressure to make an offer right away without conditions. However, despite the competition, you should never skip out on things designed for buyer protection.

You may have a good eye for décor and love the layout of your potential new home, but headaches can lie beneath that. We have all heard the expression “don’t judge a book by its cover” so why would you make the most important purchase in your life without checking it out?

In fact, there are five reasons that a home inspection might just be the best $300-$500 you ever spend.

It Provides an “Out”

When buying a new house, it is always best to avoid taking chances. A house may look great on the surface, but there can be hidden structural issues such as a cracked foundation or damaged roof that can easily turn into expensive repairs. A home inspection can help reveal these issues and provide an ‘out’ for the buyer.

If you find something that will cost a considerable amount to replace or repair, you can ask the seller’s agent for a price reduction. For example, a leaky roof may cost a few thousand dollars to replace. It’s worth asking to see if the seller would split the cost with you. If the price cannot be re-negotiated then it is best to just walk away, unless you’re prepared for the expense.

It Confirms Safety and Structural Integrity

A home inspection confirms the structural integrity. During an inspection, the inspector will review everything from the attic to the basement, and will look for things like mold, holes in the chimney, saggy beams or improper wiring.

It Reveals Illegal Additions or Installations

Similar to determining safety and structural issues, home inspections can also reveal hidden additions or DIY installations. These can often cause trouble down the road. If the seller wired the house improperly or used sub-standard materials, it could null and void your home insurance.

It Forecasts Future Costs

A home is an ongoing expense. Unless it is brand new, there will be regular maintenance and updates required to replace things when they become old and inefficient. For instance, water heaters typically last 6-10 years, roofs around 20 years and furnaces up to 25 years. The home inspection report will include a life expectancy for each of these big-ticket items, as well as a replacement estimate.

And Lastly, a Home Inspection Provides Peace of Mind

Finally and perhaps most importantly, getting a home inspection is important for your own peace of mind. A home is a huge investment that you will be paying off for 20 to 30 years. It is much easier to feel good about your investment knowing that the house is safe and there won’t be any surprises. While a home inspection isn’t free, peace of mind is priceless and the cost of an inspection is worth it!

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