Buying a house is one of the largest purchases you will make in your life. It is extremely important to know the true condition prior to any large purchase. This is where the home inspection comes in. A home inspection can let you know if that beautiful new house is really a home improvement nightmare in disguise.
- What is a home inspection?
- A home inspection is a complete visual inspection of the major systems of the house. If the inspector finds something that needs more attention, the recommendation is made for a specialist, like a plumber or an electrician.
- How to find a good Home Inspector
- Talk to your Realtor – The best place to start is usually with your Real Estate Professional. Most Realtors will be happy to recommend a few good inspectors.
- Use the InterNACHI Inspector Locator – Search for certified inspectors here: https://www.nachi.org/certified-inspectors
- Research your inspector before you hire
- Make sure you talk to the inspector prior to engaging services. This is very similar to choosing a Realtor. You want someone you can easily work with and trust. Make sure they have a good personality, are easy to communicate with, and will answer all of your questions.
- Here are a few questions to ask:
- What are your certifications? Are you Licensed/Insured?
- What does the inspection cover and what is NOT covered?
- Do you have an example inspection report I can see?
- How long will the inspection take?
- Can I attend the inspection?
- When will I receive the inspection report?
- Here are a few questions to ask:
- Make sure you talk to the inspector prior to engaging services. This is very similar to choosing a Realtor. You want someone you can easily work with and trust. Make sure they have a good personality, are easy to communicate with, and will answer all of your questions.
- Know ahead of time what the inspection does and does not cover.
- Most home inspections include the roof, attic, electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems, foundation, crawlspace and overall condition of the exterior and interior of the house.
- This is a general inspection of visible items. For example, inspectors don’t move furniture or dismantle anything for inspection. Everything is operated with normal controls that you would use daily. Most inspections also don’t cover environmental issues like mold, asbestos testing, etc. Though, the inspector should point those out, if they are visible, for further evaluation.
- What to expect on Inspection Day?
- Attend the inspection if you can! This will give you the opportunity to see exactly what the inspector sees and enable you to ask questions, concerns, and gain a thorough understanding of any findings. Please leave any children, extended family members, and pets at home. This will allow both you and the inspector to focus on the inspection.
- The inspector will need to concentrate on the inspection to make sure they don’t miss anything. Typically the inspector will have a brief meeting when you arrive, and then review findings with you at the end of the inspection. That’s the best time to ask questions.
- You may want to bring a tape measure, notepad, and camera. This will give you the opportunity to take measurements and pictures while the inspector is working.
- After the Inspection
- Once the inspection is complete, you will see your new property in a new light. You will likely hear and see some negative aspects of the house you didn’t notice. Do NOT be discouraged! Every single house has issues, even brand new ones. This is your time to talk to the inspector. Ask questions and fully understand each and every finding. Are they major issues or are they minor maintenance problems?
- The inspector will compile all findings and pictures in a Home Inspection Report, typically issued within 1-2 days after the inspection. Please take the time to review the entire report, not just the summary.
- Review the entire inspection report again with your Realtor. Your realtor is someone you trust for their expertise will be able to discuss which items if any, you should negotiate with the seller. Sellers will understandably seldom give you everything you ask for, so your Realtor will most likely recommend the most important, costly, and safety-related items.
- After repairs have been made
- If the seller agreed to make repairs after the inspection, a final walkthrough to confirm the repairs were made is a MUST! In many cases, it’s even recommended to schedule your inspector to inspect the repairs. Most home inspectors will reinspect a property at a significantly reduced rate.
- Congratulations!
- Buying a home can be an exciting and stressful experience, however, hiring a qualified inspector can relieve a lot of that stress.
I hope this information helped explain the Home Inspection process a bit. Please feel free to contact me with any questions!
Brent Whalen
Spotlight Property Inspection
brent@inspectionSPI.com
317-721-4242