FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you are buying or selling a home then you need to be very informed about its nature in the real estate market.
A home inspection is an unbiased and non-invasive visual examination of the physical condition of a property. It is often, but not always connected to a real-estate transaction. However, with the growth of the industry, 95% of all real estate home transactions nowadays involve an inspection.
A home inspection will usually include an examination of the foundation and basement, roof, attic, heating and water systems, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as the general condition of the structure itself. An inspector will look for poor construction practices and make note of any repairs that might be required or any general maintenance issues. Importantly, they will also make note of any fire and safety issues that need to be addressed.
An appraiser will usually spend less than 1 hour in the property and give you his/her professional opinion on the market value of the property by viewing the general condition of the property and comparing to adjacent properties. A home inspector will usually spend more than 2 hours in the property and give you a complete physical assessment of the building system and components.
Although it is not required for clients to be present for the inspection, it is highly recommended. This is a great chance to learn more about your new home and ask questions to the professional about the condition of the home and how to maintain it.
The answer is yes. Very often, new home buyers are overwhelmed with the excitement when acquiring a new home and miss some critical details. Buyers usually rely on the new home warranty but many of the defected items are only covered for the first 12 to 24 months. If problems are not reported in time before the warranty expires they will not be addressed from the builder. Buyers are not trained in defect recognition. Items that should be a concern are often missed or overlooked. This is why you need a professional home inspector.
The answer is No. A professional home inspection is done in an unbiased practice. Inspectors act as a general practitioner of a house and pin-point the problems to the buyers. Many defects are repairable on different levels and the decision belongs to the buyers.
Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector. An inspector is familiar with the elements of home construction, proper installation, maintenance and home safety. He or she knows how the home’s systems and components are intended to function together, as well as why they fail.
Above all, most buyers find it difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the house they really want, and this may have an effect on their judgment. For accurate information, it is best to obtain an impartial, third-party opinion by a professional in the field of home inspection.
Typically, a home inspector is contacted immediately after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed. Before you sign, be sure there is an inspection clause in the sales contract, making your final purchase obligation contingent on the findings of a professional home inspection. This clause should specify the terms and conditions to which both the buyer and seller are obligated.
No house is perfect. If the inspector identifies problems, it doesn’t mean you should or shouldn’t buy the house, only that you will know in advance what to expect. If your budget is tight, or if you don’t want to become involved in future repair work, this information will be important to you. If major problems are found, a seller may agree to make repairs.
The answer is yes. You now have peace of mind your biggest investment is what you hoped it would be.
