A Top to Bottom Reality Check on Your Home
A home inspection provides unbiased information on the current condition of a property. The inspection is performed by a licensed inspector qualified to perform a comprehensive evaluation.
The inspector goes to the site and examines the interior and exterior of the house. As your inspector walks around opening cupboard doors, looking at the roof, checking the foundation they are rigorously following a comprehensive checklist on the structure, functionality, and safety of your home.
Most people have their first experience with a home inspector when they buy or sell a home. Their real estate agent suggests a home inspection to get a true perspective of the home. Although a house may look good cosmetically, an impartial inspection may reveal structural flaws or antiquated electrical wiring or plumbing that reduces the value.
The Inspector
A home inspector provides unbiased information on the state of your property. The boots-on-the-ground approach presents you with findings of the current state of your home. Guesswork isn’t part of the equation. As your inspector walks around opening cupboard doors, looking at the roof, checking the foundation they are following a comprehensive checklist on the structure, functionality, and safety of your home.
Your home inspector brings experience and knowledge which provides impartial information on the current status of a home. You owe it to yourself to get the most professional and thorough inspection you can find. Your home inspector has no financial relationship in the whole process. And, you can select the home inspector of your choice.
The home inspector is the emotional buffer in a highly charged situation. You may have your heart set on buying a home… until you discover hidden structural flaws that may cost tens of thousands of dollars to fix. Or you may cleverly discover that the asking price is below market value.
The inspector brings experience and knowledge to the examination. Many have a background in construction, engineering, or architecture. Or, they may have a combination of backgrounds that give them the expansive knowledge required to inspect every part of your home.
He or she will stay current with current requirements by joining a national or regional organization such as American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) where they are educated, tested, verified, and certified. This certification is important in states like California with no state requirements.
The benefit of a professional home inspection is objectivity with unbiased information on the state of your property. It’s what you need to know to make a wise investment decision.
The Inspection
A home inspection is a diagnostic evaluation. Just as your family doctor looks at your entire body for a medical checkup, your home inspector examines various parts of your home. As they go through their checklist, they’re looking for anything that may be remiss.
The scope of the inspection is wide. That’s why experience and expertise matter when you choose an inspector. He’ll go from roof to foundation examining the house and checking that systems work and are in good condition.
- Structure – foundation and framing
- Roof – tile, shake, shingles
- Exterior – siding, drainage, porches
- Electrical – devices, panels, wiring
- HVAC – heater and air-conditioner
- Insulation – insulation and sealing
- Plumbing – devices, drains, supply
- Interior – walls, floors, doors, windows
- Appliances – built-in appliances
- Fireplace – chimney, flue, fire pit
The inspector arrives at the site and makes observations, thoroughly reviewing your property from top to bottom, inside and out. Their aim is to observe in a fair and unbiased manner all the structures, systems, and appliances covered in the inspection.
Because your home inspector is an outside observer, they have no emotional or financial attachment to the findings. You pay them to be objective and impartial just the way you pay your doctor for a medical checkup.
Don’t overlook the opportunity to attend the inspection. You can ask questions, get estimates on recommended repairs, and get professional recommendations for services. It’s your chance to learn more about the property on a firsthand basis and receive information that won’t be in the written report.
This added benefit of using an impartial professional home inspector is their ability to connect you with other professionals who can assist with repairs and remediation. As a generalist, your home inspector notes the problems and then refers you to specialists to make sure the work is done well. For example, if a roof flashing needs repairs, they will refer you to a roofing specialist to get the job done.
The Inspection Report
The second part of the home inspection is the written report of findings. This report can be 20-40 pages or longer depending on the size of your property and the findings.
The report details all the findings throughout the inspection. The report highlights in safety or structural concerns and items to improve and monitor. Many professional home inspectors color code findings as to severity and importance so you can see at a glance what needs repairs, often placing these recommendations at the beginning of the report.
This list of findings helps you work with real estate professionals to determine the value of the property and negotiate appropriate pricing. Because the report is a dated document, it empowers you with unbiased information on the true state of the property. As a legal document, you have substantiated proof of the property condition should any issues arise.
A Thorough and Objective View
A professional home inspection provides you with information to make an informed decision. Buying or selling a home is a major life decision. You want the best, most accurate information about the property to decide whether to follow through on a buying decision or to offer your home for sale at a fair price.
As a decision-making tool, your home inspection advises your on the sound condition of the home and the safety it provides for your family. A home inspection is an investment making a wise decision for you and your loved ones.
Find the right inspector at Inspect.com. In minutes, you’ll be on your way to choosing wisely and well.
