When you find the right property in Park City, it’s exciting. You’re so close to bliss, you can almost feel the fresh powder beneath your skis, the chill of a cold day biting your cheeks, and the warmth of a hot drink at your favorite aprés spot. But before you get to enjoy all the benefits of owning a home in Park City, there are a few things you need to take care of. One of them is a home inspection.
Park City is a unique real estate market, and our home inspections are also unique compared to those in other cities. Here’s everything you need to know about home inspections in Park City.
When Should You Do the Home Inspection?
A home inspection is typically undertaken by a buyer during the due diligence period. However, we often recommend organizing your home inspection as early as you possibly can to accommodate scheduling challenges. No one wants the closing of their home delayed because they are waiting for a home inspection.
Additionally, some aspects of the inspection simply take longer than others. For example, in Park City, we know a lot of amazing home inspectors who do fantastic work. In many cases, these inspectors offer a “base” inspection and then à la carte options for more specialized items such as sewer scopes and radon mitigation, for example. Depending on your unique situation, we can give you the pros and cons of these additional tests.
If the home inspection finds anything that needs to be fixed, you also need to consider the time it takes to complete the work. Doing the inspection early will give you time not only to complete a thorough investigation, but to also organize and execute any trades or repairs that must be contacted and scheduled.
For both the buyer and the seller, it’s imperative that everyone is prepared to assess things and act quickly for a fast and seamless sale.
Read more about the process of buying and selling in Park City with these posts next:
- Why Sign a Buyer-Broker Agreement
- When is the Best Time to Buy a Home in Park City?
- Is it Better to Buy First or Sell First in Park City?
What is Included in a Home Inspection?
Home inspections are not meant for assessing cosmetic issues. We often tell people to think of these three big items: Health, safety, and function.
- Is it something that will affect the health and well-being of your family?
- Will it put your family in danger if not remedied?
- Does it alter the function of the home?
These three items are most important in a home inspection.
Should You Get a Home Inspection on a New Build?
Yes! We recommend home inspections on new properties, even if the property comes with a warranty. A home inspector can “look under the hood” at things we cannot see, and then we can approach the builder with a list of things that need to be fixed. This is a lot less time-intensive than a home inspection on an existing home because there is often a lot less back and forth between the buyer and builder.
Learn more about buying a new build in Park City with these posts next:
- Do You Need a Realtor to Buy a New Construction Home?
- Should You Buy a New Build or a Resale Home in Park City?
- A Closer Look at New Homes in Park City
What About Specialty Home Inspection Items?
Homes in Park City often feature an array of luxurious features that can sometimes complicate the home inspection process. However, these things are still important, especially when buying a home for recreational purposes. For example, complicated electronic equipment such as home theaters, sound systems, and elevators, etc.
Other inspections, such as roof and fire risk assessments, are also done by specialty professionals. If any of these items apply to the home you are buying, you’ll need to factor that into the timing of things as well.
Tip: Your whole-home inspector may be able to point some of these things out to you, but for an official report, you’ll need to work with a specialist.
Should Sellers Get a Home Inspection Before Listing?
There are certainly pros and cons to getting a pre-listing home inspection. For sellers, it allows them to get ahead of any potential issues that might come up during due diligence with a buyer. It’s beneficial for a seller to know the exposure up front so they can be prepared, particularly in a market like Park City, where oftentimes repairs can come with big price tags.
In this sense, a pre-list inspection can save a lot of back-and-forth and headaches during contract negotiations.
However, once a pre-list home inspection is done, that inspection report turns into a disclosure item, meaning the seller is legally required to share it with the buyer. Even if the issues outlined in the pre-list inspection have been remedied. In some cases, we have seen sellers disclose inspection reports before entering into negotiations with a buyer.
Selling a home in Park City? Here are some more posts you might find helpful:
- Common Mistakes When Selling a Vacation Home and How to Avoid Them
- Selling Your Home Off-Market: What You Need to Know
- How to Sell Your Home Fast
This Is Where an Experienced Realtor Comes In
Home purchase contracts and home inspections are complex documents that the average person is not usually well-versed in. And buying a home is a completely unique experience for buyers and sellers alike. The best course of action to navigate this process smoothly is to work with an experienced Park City real estate team.
Here at Chin Fleming Harris Luxury Resort Real Estate, we have helped countless homeowners in Park City and Deer Valley. We’re familiar with the best inspectors in the area, as well as all the potential pitfalls and surprises you may encounter as a buyer or seller. We know there is no one-size-fits-all approach to real estate, and we tailor your experience to your unique needs.
Whether you are buying a brand-new home from a developer or selling your family’s vacation property, we can help you get the best possible results. Get in touch today by calling or emailing us directly. You can also fill out the form below, and we’ll get right back to you.
