Why are Home Inspections so Important?

Louisiana REALTORS® • February 21, 2023

Look before you leap. Kick the tires. There are a number of euphemisms for gathering as much information as you can before you act. The greater the risk, the larger the investment, and obviously the more time and effort you should spend making sure you understand the context and content of your decision. For most people, the largest purchase they will ever make will be their home. This is why home inspections are so important. 


Home inspections are an essential and critical element in the home-buying process. The things that can be discovered can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. It’s important not to confuse a home appraisal and a home inspection, they are two different things.


What is the difference between an appraisal and an inspection?

Appraisals are required by banks and lenders in order to determine the market value of the home. An appraiser makes a visual inspection of the home noting any improvements or deficiencies that can impact value. Location, square footage, and comparable homes in the area are also considered in this assessment. 


An inspection focuses on the mechanical features and integrity of the home. Plumbing, heating, cooling, electrical and structural elements are the key focus of a home inspection. Inspections also look for any safety or health concerns and notify the buyer of any repairs that need to be made. 


Why should you have a home inspection before you buy?

Once you find a home you are considering buying you should have it inspected. The inspector should be hired by you, not the seller. Even if you are purchasing a new construction home, an inspection is a must. For the cost of a few hundred dollars and a few hours, you could end up saving thousands of dollars and years of headaches and frustration. Home inspections also give you a negotiating advantage when the time comes to make an offer. Any repairs can be leveraged as a purchasing condition. The results could also lead to a lower asking price. Inspections also give you all of the information you need to make the best decision and to truly understand what it is you are buying.


One of the best assets you can have during the home-buying process is a REALTOR®. REALTORS® are an invaluable resource. From finding the right location and home for you and your family, they are there every step of the way and can be very helpful during the inspection process.

BUYER RESOURCES

Consumer Guide Update: Teen Financial Literacy

By Louisiana REALTORS® • October 9, 2026
Want Your Teen to Own a Home Someday? Start Talking Money Now Teens may not be thinking about mortgage rates or down payments just yet, but the money habits they’re building now can follow them for years. And 88% of teens surveyed by Fannie Mae and Junior Achievement said they want to own a home someday. This week’s Consumer Guide: Talk to Your Teens About Money and Homeownership makes those conversations a little easier, covering everything from credit scores and budgeting to debt, renting versus owning and saving for that eventual down payment. So yes, you may have to interrupt the doomscrolling. But helping teens get smarter about money today could put them in a much better position to get the keys to a home of their own down the road. Download all of NAR’s Consumer Guides in English or Spanish at facts.realtor. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Teen Financial Literacy Fraud Red Flags Helping Family Members Become Homeowners Prepare Your Home for Hurricane Season Condominium Insurance Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their home buying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. The next Consumer Guide, scheduled for publication on Oct. 21, will cover winter cold and storm preparedness.

Constitutional Amendment Positions for November 3 Election

By Louisiana REALTORS® • October 9, 2026
Homeownership Is on Louisiana's November Ballot

Cookbook for the REALTORS® Relief Foundation On Sale Now!

By Louisiana REALTORS® • October 8, 2026
After months of gathering recipes from across our Louisiana REALTORS® family, the cookbook is ready! This 200+ page collection is filled with Louisiana flavor, REALTOR® heart and recipes contributed by our members. We launched sales of the cookbook at the Fall Governance Meetings. You can now purchase your copy for $30 directly from the printer and shipped to you! Additionally, we will have copies available at the RRF booth at NXT . After NXT, we will carry a limited stock at the LR office for you to purchase through the LR Merch Shop and pick-up from the office or at an LR event, as stock is available. Even better, $15 from every cookbook sold will be donated to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF) to help provide housing-related assistance to REALTORS® and their families following disasters. Pick up a copy for yourself, grab one as a gift and enjoy a taste of Louisiana while supporting a great cause!
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