How do you know if your decision to buy THAT house is the
right one? You know the location is right but is the house right? That’s where
hiring a home inspector will benefit you the most. Often the results of the inspection will be
the determination whether or not a house is sold. The results are also used as
a negotiating tool when it comes to determining an offer to make the seller. To
get an inspection is not to pin point every little defect in the property, its
to simply identify any major issues that may arise.
A standard inspection report usually looks at the
following: solidarity of the structure
(windows, doors, walls, ceilings, foundation, roof, attic), the plumbing and
electrical components, the heating and cooling system, and any visible
insulation. You can always go to the National Association of Home Inspectors
and the American Society of Home Inspectors they offer tools so that the buyer can use so they know what to expect during
an inspection. Although your real estate
agent is not at liberty to advise you of which inspectors to use, he or she
should be able to offer you a list of area inspectors available.
When you chose your inspector there are a few things, as with
anything, you want to take into consideration. Every state is different so
check and find out if your state requires an inspector to carry a license. If
so you should be able to obtain a copy of the license from the inspector. We
have all heard the horror stories of “storm chasers” therefore find out how
much experience the inspector has and how long they have been in the field.
Does their office have staff available whom you can contact?
Whether it is via email, phone, text or voice mail you want to be able to reach
him/her if needed. In order to adhere to ethics and standards the inspector
needs to have some professional affiliations. Also ask to see a sample report.
This will let you know if his reports are easy to read and understand. It will
also give you an idea if the inspection is a general checklist or specific to
your home.
Lastly find out if he/she offers any other services other
than just the standard inspection. If you can kill two birds with one stone you
may be able to save a little in the end. There may be a need for additional
inspections for items such as radon, lead or asbestos. These are not usually
tested for but if you’re buying an older home it’s never a bad idea.
Ultimately the results of the inspection will give you a
good idea if this is the house you want to purchase and what repairs need to be
made now or in the near future. You don’t want to purchase problems you want to
purchase a home.