What is a Home Inspection

What is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a professional, objective, visual examination of the condition of a home. Home buyers or home sellers now entering the marketplace view inspections as a way to gain valuable information about the biggest purchase or sale of their lifetime. It helps them to determine whether there are any major defects or system inadequacies at the time of purchase or sale.

In most cases, home inspections are performed either after a sales contract has been created, or prior to a seller has his home listed with a realtor.  For a buyer a purchase contract typically contain a contingency clause based upon a satisfactory home inspection.  For a seller, a home inspection gives the home owner a chance to see exactly what condition their home is in.

The inspection can usually be arranged immediately to within a day or so. The customer is typically encouraged to attend the inspection, so that he/she can see first hand the workings of the home. It also represents an excellent opportunity for the prospective buyer or seller to ask questions about the home or to discuss inspection concerns.

Home inspections should also highlight the positive aspects of a home. In fact, many of the home inspector's observations or recommendations help to dispel home purchaser anxieties, and provide useful repair suggestions.

My inspection service is also one of education. My goal is to provide the client with a better understanding of the physical condition of the home in order that they can make a well-informed decision.  It is also the inspector's role to keep his findings in perspective for the buyer or the seller.  After the inspection is completed, a written report will be prepared for the client, documenting the results of the inspection, along with suggested repairs and safety hazards evident in the home.

The home inspection should not be confused with an appraisal, a municipal code inspection, an environmental audit, or a home owner's warranty.

A complete home inspection will cover all of the major systems of a house, including structure, exterior, roofing, electrical, heating, cooling, insulation, plumbing and interior.
 

Within this brief list of items I inspect are links that will direct you to a page that will define exactly what should and should not be inspected by a home inspector, according to the International Association of Home Inspectors.  This detailed summary is known as the Standard of Practice and was generated by InterNACHI).  As a certified member, I adhere to this SOP.