Home Inspections

You have found the perfect house, and the seller has accepted your offer- congratulations, you are on your way to owning a home! But before you get too excited, you have to make it through the inspection period. The seller most likely provided you with disclosures regarding the condition of the home, but the seller may not be aware of all the problems and repairs that may be required. No one wants to find out that the home they fell in love with requires a new roof or needs plumbing updates, but a comprehensive home inspection can save you thousands of dollars in costly repairs.

In most cases you have a five day inspection period following the formal acceptance of your purchase offer. During this time you will need to find a qualified home inspector to conduct the inspection of your future home. Ask your real estate agent, friends, or family members for recommendations- it is important to hire an inspector that is experienced and licensed. The average inspection fee is usually between $300 and $400- this is money very well spent when compared to the expenses you could face after moving in if you discover a major problem. Your inspector will examine the following things:

• Electrical system
• Plumbing system
• Interior and exterior foundation and structural components
• Air conditioning and heating system
• Roof
• Basement and attic
• Exterior of the home
• General inspection of each room

Some common items a home inspection could uncover are:

• maintenance problems such as rotting decks, paint chips, water damaged ceilings, etc
• electrical problems (even faulty fuses can lead to bigger difficulties in the future)
• structural damage caused by water seepage into the foundation, floor joists, and door headers that should be discovered at the source
• drainage problems; these could include water intrusions below the home.
• roof leaks and defects from aging
• poor ventilation, especially in an attic; this is the time to assure that all vents are clean and working properly
• excess air leakage due to poor weather stripping and subpar caulking around fixtures
• failed window seals, which are routinely found with dual pane windows
• environmental contamination caused by asbestos, mold, formaldehyde
• lead paint, radon, soil contamination, and/or water contamination
• faulty lines in water heaters, overflow piping, and/or hazardous flue conditions

After the inspection is concluded, your inspector will inform you of the results and provide you with a written report. Feel free to ask him any questions that you may have regarding the inspection. During the inspection period you may ask the seller to make repairs to any issues that the inspector discovered. If the inspector finds major problems with the home, you may elect to back out of the deal without penalty.

To learn more about home inspections please visit:
The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)

M.AS985