These days, the hardest part of buying a house isn’t packing and moving or changing your address on your driver’s license—it’s actually getting your offer accepted. The real estate market in New Jersey is like it was back in the boom of the pandemic, with most desirable homes receiving multiple offers, resulting in a bidding war and homes selling for way over what they’re worth. Not so fun for the prospective buyer!
But once you’re in the door—congrats! Now the real fun of home-buying begins. One to-do list item that shouldn’t be ignored is a home inspection, where a professional inspects the entire home, from basement to crawl spaces to roof, to ensure it’s in livable condition and ready for its next inhabitants. The average home inspection in Bergen County costs between $400 and $700, a drop in the bucket with all the money you’ll be spending for your down payment and mortgage. So don’t skip this important step!
As you gear up for your inspection at your new home—which should be scheduled after you complete attorney review and while you apply for your mortgage—heed these tips from Joanne English Rollieson, a real estate agent in Englewood:
Choose your inspector carefully. You don’t want to hire any Joe Schmoe off the street. Seek referrals from your Realtor, your real estate lawyer, friends or your new neighbors to find an inspector who has been certified in New Jersey and is a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). Once you get a few names, Google each one to read customer reviews. If time allows, interview a few to get a feel for them before you select the one you’d like to work with. Not sure where to start? Check out the New Jersey chapter of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NJNACHI) to find a qualified inspector who covers your area.
Attend the inspection yourself. Ideally, you and your Realtor will join the inspection to make sure no stone is left unturned, so to speak. Ask questions along the way, but be sure not to get in the way of the inspector’s work. “Once the inspection is done, you can ask for a quick run-through of any problematic areas they saw,” says Rollieson.
Make sure they inspect the whole house. A good home inspection is a thorough one, where the inspector looks from top to bottom to evaluate everything inside (and outside) the home. This includes: windows and doors, the electrical system and outlets, plumbing, heating, stairs, air conditioning, garage, structure/foundation, roof, walls, trim, ceilings and gutters, according to North Jersey-based Optimal Home Inspectors. You’ll also want to ensure your professional checks out the attic and crawl spaces, the latter of which is prone to wood rot and termites.
Follow up with your inspector. “Once you get the full inspection report, go through it carefully,” notes Rollieson, and chat with them if you have questions or concerns. Keep in mind that it’s not a dealbreaker if your home “fails” one or two parts of the inspection—most of these issues can typically be dealt with, and some may even become the seller’s responsibility to fix before they move out. “You can also ask for a re-inspection if it feels appropriate,” says our expert.
What’s your No. 1 tip for a home inspection? Tell us on Instagram @njhomemag!