FAQs Archive - Know Before You Buy Home Inspections

Q: When do I call the inspector?

Before you sign the contract or purchase agreement, make your purchase obligation contingent upon the findings of a professional home inspection. This clause should specify the terms to which both the buyer and seller are obligated. Contact a home inspector immediately after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed. Home inspectors are aware of the time constraints involved in purchase agreements and most are available to conduct the required inspection within a few days.

Q: Can a home 'fail' an inspection?

No, a home cannot really fail an inspection. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of your home. It is not an appraisal, which determines market value, or a municipal inspection, which verifies compliance to local codes and standards. A home inspector will not pass or fail a house. A home inspection describes the physical condition of a property and indicates what may need repair or replacement. You may decide that the issues with the home are greater than you wish to deal with, but that is left to you to decide based on many factors.

Q: Why do I need an inspection?

A home inspection summarizes the condition of a property, points out the need for major repairs and identifies areas that may need attention in the near future. Buyers and sellers depend on an accurate home inspection to maximize their knowledge of the property in order to make intelligent decisions before executing an agreement for sale or purchase. A home inspection points out the positive aspects of a home, as well as the maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape. After an inspection, both parties have a much clearer understanding of the value and needs of the property. For homeowners, an inspection may be used to identify problems in the making and to learn about preventive measures, which might avoid costly future repairs. If you are planning to sell your home, an inspection prior to placing your home on the market provides a better understanding of conditions which may be discovered by the buyer's inspector, and provides you an opportunity to make repairs that will make your home more desirable to potential buyers.

Q: What Is A Home Inspection/What Does It Include

A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a home, from roof to foundation. A home inspection report or home inspection service is the equivalent of a physical examination from your doctor. When problems or symptoms of problems are found, the inspector may recommend further evaluation or remedies, making the home inspection cost well worth it. A standard home inspection report summarizes findings from a visual inspection of the condition of the subject home's heating system, central air conditioning system (temperature permitting), interior plumbing and electrical systems; roof, attic, and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; foundation, basement, and the visible structures of the home.

Q: Why Get A Home Inspection?

This is Your biggest investment . Americans aren’t big savers. Instead of piggy banks, Americans own homes. If you buy a lemon of a house, you may watch your biggest investment go belly up. That is why it is important to use a licensed and trained home inspector to inspect your potential new home, or to inspect your home before listing it on the market. You are given an inspection window when you make an offer on a residential property, that is your time to hire a professional inspector to look over the home. Once this window closed, it is too late for you to resolve any issues that would be the responsiblity of the seller to repair prior to closing. At this point the issues are your responsibility. If you are listing a home for sale, it is a good idea to get a pre-listing inspection completed on your home. This will give you the chance to repair or disclosure any issues that are discovered during the inspection. As a real estate professional and an inspector, I have seen to many times a good offer is lost due to an issue found in the inspection process. If you know these issues in advance, you can make the needed repairs. This will give the buyer peace of mind during the process ans show that you are being proactive in the listing and selling process.