WHY DO I NEED A HOME INSPECTION?
A home inspection is a visual exam of the structure and systems of a house. It details problems with the property and if they’re serious enough to prevent a sale. The key take away...the home inspector WORKS FOR YOU, not for the lender, not for the seller, just for you! So always feel free to ask them to specifically look at any areas you might have special concerns on as well.
The three main points of an inspection are physical condition, items in need of repair or replacement, and the remaining useful life of major systems.
A report won’t cover defects that are not visible, inoperable systems (e.g., A/C during the winter), or code violations.
It’s a good idea to be present during the inspection: you can ask the inspector questions, and the inspector can point out areas of potential trouble and may offer maintenance tips. If I am your realtor, I attend this as well!
Expect an inspection to take 2-5 hours (old homes may take longer), and expect charges of $200-$500 depending on size.
The seller is not required to make repairs, but the buyer can use the report in negotiating (e.g., if a repair is made, the buyer will offer to pay more, otherwise the buyer will bid lower). I often meet with clients and we review it page by page to discuss the report at great length!
To hire an inspector, you can take my recomendations that I will happily share, or from others who have used them, or check the phone book under “Home Inspection.” Be sure to ask about references, memberships in professional associations, professional training, and experience.
The goal with the home inspections is to get the best visual of what you are buying! It's also a great honey-do list! I have had clients say they spend the next year or so just working through all the little repairs such as caulking and tightening up of items. Its truly a very detailed and helpful item to have when buying a home!
Helpful to have a handy toolkit such as this Craftsman one from Amazon!