Why Do Starter Homes Need Inspections?

Handing over keys

As young adults look to move out of their rented apartments or parents’ basements and onto the property ladder, they often look at starter homes.

Almost everyone, at some point in their life, will need a starter home.

Starter homes are often the first home a person or family can afford to buy. The homes typically have an entry-level price point and tend to be smaller, older homes.

While they’re great for first-time homeowners, if you’re thinking of buying a starter home, it’s vital you have that starter home inspected.

Starter Homes are Typically Older

The typical starter home is a smaller, one or two-bedroom house. Most are decades old, often constructed in the 1940s-1970s.

Seafoam green house with porch

On average, first-time homeowners stay in their starter home for five years. This means a typical starter home could see multiple homeowners in a matter of years.

Frequent changes in ownership can lead to delays or neglect in maintenance or home repair projects.

A home inspection is an assessment of a home’s condition. At Detailed Inspection Service, licensed home inspector Rob Gisch has the expertise to examine and evaluate the entire home from rooftop to basement.

Starter Homes are a Big Investment

Buying a home is one of the largest purchases most people will ever make. 

The National Association of Realtors estimates the average starter home price ranges from $150,000 to $250,000. 

White piggy bank on hardwood floor

Homes can be a great way for first-time buyers to build equity, but if their starter home is a money pit, buyers could find themselves deeper in debt.

Home inspections are conducted before a real estate sale is finalized. The inspector’s report can help prospective buyers know if the home has serious problems, allowing them the chance to walk away from the sale.

Likewise, a home inspection can reveal issues or projects a prospective buyer might view as ways to increase their home’s equity. 

A Home Inspection Gives First-Time Buyers Knowledge

In the United States, the average age of a first-time homebuyer is 34-36. In 2023, the National Association of Realtors noted that 32% of all home buyers were first-time buyers.

Home inspector Rob Gisch standing next to his company vehicle

As they enter the property market, starter-home buyers can be clueless about homeownership. 

For many, home maintenance or upkeep tasks were previously undertaken by landlords or mom and dad.

Transitioning from a rental market to homeownership can be viewed as a big step toward adulthood and responsibility. 

At Detailed Inspection Service, we strive to educate our clients. They’re invited to follow along during the inspection process and ask questions. We want them to be knowledgeable about the home they’re buying. A starter home inspection can help that process.

We want clients to understand what we’re inspecting and why. We want our customers to be able to purchase their starter home with confidence.

Contact Detailed Inspection Service for Your Home Inspection Needs

Home Inspector Rob Gisch, at Detailed Inspection Service, has more than 25 years of experience serving the New Lenox and surrounding areas. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call Detailed Inspection Service today.


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