When to Walk Away After Home Inspection: Simple Basics

There are a few common purposes for home inspections, and by far the most frequent example here is an inspection ordered by a prospective buyer as part of a home or building sale process. During such settings, clients often have a common query: When to walk away from their purchase after a home inspection.

At Aerolite Consulting, we’re proud to offer the best home inspection services you’ll find around Salt Lake City, Orem, Provo, St. George and other areas of Utah, including everything from standard inspections to environmental contaminant services like mold testing, asbestos testing and more. In this two-part blog series, we’ll look at some of the major areas home inspectors are looking at during their inspections, some common issues that could fail an inspection, and when to consider walking away from a purchase altogether.

No Hard and Fast Rules

Before we get into specific things you can look for as a buyer after an inspection, it’s important to note that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to determining whether or not to walk away from a purchase. Ultimately, the decision will come down to your personal preferences and circumstances.

However, there are certain red flags that home inspectors will look for during an inspection that may indicate serious problems with the property. Let’s get into some of these.

Expectations for Home Inspection Reports

When you order a home inspection, you should receive a detailed report from the inspector outlining any issues they found during their assessment. This report will also include photos and recommendations for how to address any problems.

It’s important to note that no home is perfect, and it’s common for even newer homes to have some issues. As a buyer, you should have realistic expectations for what may be uncovered during an inspection. However, there are certain issues that should raise serious concerns.

Common Issues That Can “Fail” a Home Inspection

While home inspections are not technically considered pass/fail in nature, there are a few examples of issues so severe that they are often considered disqualifying. These include:

• Major structural issues: If the home has foundational or structural problems, it could be a serious safety risk and require costly repairs.
• Significant electrical or plumbing issues: Faulty wiring, outdated electrical systems, or major plumbing leaks can also pose safety hazards and be expensive to fix.
• Water damage/mold: Prolonged water damage or mold growth can cause health problems and significant damage to the property if not addressed properly.
• Major roof damage: A damaged or leaking roof can lead to serious issues such as water damage, mold growth, and structural problems.

In part two of our series, we’ll look at certain cases where reasonable requests of the seller may remedy some of these issues, and when it may be time to consider walking away from a purchase altogether.

At Aerolite Consulting, we understand that buying a home is a significant investment, and we want to ensure that our clients have all the necessary information to make an informed decision. Our team of experienced inspectors will thoroughly assess the property and provide you with a detailed report so that you can move forward with confidence in your purchase. Contact us today to learn more about our home inspection services around SLC, Orem, Provo, St. George and nearby areas of Utah!