Should I Get a Home Inspection in Texas?

The short answer

Yes. A home inspection is one of the cheapest ways to protect what may be the biggest purchase of your life. In Texas, do it during your option period, so you can still negotiate repairs or cancel if the report turns up something serious. That goes for brand-new homes too. A new house is not a perfect house.

What an inspector looks at

• Foundation, a big one with North Texas clay soils
• Roof, attic and signs of past leaks
• Heating and air conditioning, very important in a Texas summer
• Plumbing, water heater and drainage
• Electrical panel, outlets and wiring
• Windows, doors, insulation and visible structure

Texas home inspectors are licensed by the state, and many use a standard report form, so reports are easier to compare.

Extras worth considering

• Sewer line camera for older homes or homes with big trees
• Pool and spa inspection if there is one
• Foundation engineer if the inspector flags movement
• Termite inspection, which some loan programs may require

How to use the report

1. Separate safety and big-ticket items from small stuff. Every house has small stuff.
2. Get repair estimates for anything major.
3. Ask for repairs, a credit or a price change before the option period ends.
4. Share any big findings with your lender, since some issues can affect the appraisal or loan program.

Frequently asked questions

Is the appraisal the same as an inspection?

No. The appraisal tells the lender what the home is worth. The inspection tells you what condition it is in.

Should I attend the inspection?

If you can, yes. Walking through it with the inspector is the best home owner's manual you will ever get.

Read about the option period in a Texas contract, call (469) 414-5554, or visit our Texas branch.

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By Kelly Welton, Mortgage Broker (NMLS #314183), Mohave Mortgage Texas Branch. Mohave Mortgage NMLS #1830581 · Texas Branch NMLS #2690682 · Equal Housing Opportunity. General information only, not a commitment to lend or financial advice. Programs, rates and guidelines vary and change.