By Lonnie White
WHAT IS A HOME INSPECTION?
A home inspection is a comprehensive examination of the physical structure of a home. The purpose of this thorough inspection is to determine the complete condition of the home from the foundation to the roof. Upon completion of a home inspection, the licensed home inspector will produce an inspection report detailing the findings of the inspection. This report will typically be provided within 24-48 hours and will include a detailed analysis along with pictures, infrared readings, and recommendations on which issues need to be addressed to bring the home to the highest level of safety.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN A HOME INSPECTION?
During a home inspection, every component of the home is checked to ensure a total and complete evaluation. Below is a full list of the items being examined during a home inspection.
Structural components & foundation
Windows
Doors
Floors
Ceilings
Walls
Attic & insulation
Roof
Plumbing
Electrical
HVAC (Heating and Central Cooling)
Basement
All of these items are required to be included in the inspection report unless deemed inaccessible by the inspector. It is important to make sure that the licensed inspector has access to all areas of the home, and that rooms are free of clutter and blockage. Home inspectors must be licensed and are required to abide by the standards of practice and code of ethics highlighted by ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
DO HOMEBUYERS NEED A HOME INSPECTION? WHY?
For a lot of people, home buying can be the largest investment ever made. To reduce the chance of risk and prevent any unexpected issues, it's extremely important to learn as much about a property prior to purchasing it. This is where a home inspection comes in to play. A home inspection will identify not only the necessary maintenance needed for a house, but also the critical underlying issues which may not be easily visible to the ordinary person. Being made fully aware of a prospective house will enable you to either walk away from the deal, or confidently move forward with a purchase.
DO HOMEBUYERS NEED TO ATTEND THE INSPECTION?
Attending the home inspection of your prospective purchase is not required, although it does have its benefits. The American Society of Home Inspectors recommends attending your inspection to observe the inspection process and ask any questions you feel are important. Being present during this process enables the homebuyer to receive the maximum value from their home inspection. Evidence has shown that homebuyers who attend inspections are more knowledgeable on the condition of the property, and also on how to properly maintain it.
WHAT IF THE HOME INSPECTION REVEALS ISSUES WITH THE HOUSE?
The one thing to remember when getting a home inspection done on a house is that a house is never perfect. The sole purpose of a home inspection is to identify issues with the property. A home inspector then compiles this data into a report to effectively communicate these issues to you. The goal of a home inspection is to provide the client (buyer or seller) with a thorough understanding of the subject property. When purchasing a house, the buyer should be fully aware of the health of the home so that they can feel confident either proceeding with the purchase, or backing out of the deal. The home inspector isn't incentivized to either sell you or talk you out of a purchase, they simply want to convey the issues and risks which may be associated with the home.
CAN A HOUSE FAIL A HOME INSPECTION?
A home inspection does not result in a pass or fail. The objective of a home inspection is to raise awareness of a home's health by identifying any and all associated issues. Rather than prescribing a grade, a home inspection report will produce a detailed analysis on the physical condition of the home and its functioning systems.
*NEED HELP FINDING A HOME INSPECTOR?*
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