- Do your homework: While many homebuyers hire a home inspector by their real estate agent, you can hire your own, but be sure to check them out. Ask to see proof of state certification or proof of membership in the National Associations of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI), National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) or the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).
- Experience: Both NAHI and ASHI require a minimum of 250 inspections, however most experienced professionals will say it’s better to find someone who’s performed at least 1,000 inspections and has at least three-to-five years of full-time experience.
- Licensing & Insurance: Ask to see proof of licensing if your state requires home inspectors to be licensed, and inquire about proof of general liability insurance as well as and errors and omission (E&O) insurance.
- Costs: Home inspections generally cost at least $400, and typically take three to four hours. The costs will vary depending on such factors as the age and size of a home.
- Get involved: While it’s not required that you attend the inspection, you should attend the inspection to discuss expectations and findings.
- Know what to look for. This includes structural problems; roof damage; fire hazards, such as improperly vented chimney flues; electrical safety issues, including old wiring; and problems with plumbing and major appliances, like the HVAC system and hot water heater. Inspectors should physically crawl the attic and crawl space, if possible, rather than just taking a quick look around from the opening or doorway.
- Read the report: Many inspectors provide the report the same day as the inspection. The report should be thorough and easy to understand and should include narrative accounts of the inspector’s findings that are specific to your house, along with pictures and diagrams. Many inspectors will also include photographs with their reports. Keep in mind that few houses are perfect, so you should expect some issues to be found. Don't hesitate to question your inspector about the report.
- Home inspections aren’t just necessary for old homes: Newer homes can have just as many problems as an older home. And, if you are building a home, inspections at key points during construction should be a part of the process.
- Useful info: A home inspection report reveals problems that need to be fixed. You might use this information to renegotiate the price that you originally offered or you may be prepared to adjust your selling price.
Angie's LIST Guide to
Home inspection
For most of us, our home is the biggest investment we will ever make. For those preparing to buy, a quality home inspection is key. An inspection is usually required for a home purchase. A quality home inspector will look at every nook and cranny to gauge structure stability, present and potential dangers. But remember, a home inspection is not a guarantee or a warranty - it may not find everything.
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Hiring a home inspector can help save homeowners from potentially hidden problems within the home.
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These pre-listing inspections performed for the seller are now becoming the first step in fast tracking the sale. By moving the inspection to the beginning of the sales cycle these agents are able to shorten the process by removing obstacles before they can interfere with a potential sale. Pre-listing inspections are not new. They have been a part of the inspection business for a number of years but are rarely performed during strong sales markets.
During strong sales markets, the buyers purchase the home inspection to make sure there aren’t any surprise defects and to substantiate the purchase price. In an up market, sellers often have backup offers to consider if negotiations break down with the initial prospective buyer. Sellers forgo a pre-listing inspection knowing the buyer is less likely to walk away from the deal for fear of losing their best opportunity of finding the right property. Instead, they will have an inspection performed as a part of the contract.
In weaker sales markets when there are more properties available or fewer buyers, the seller is at a disadvantage. The buyer will sometimes use the home inspection not only to verify condition but also to negotiate the price down to cover repair and improvement costs. It is when a higher than normal level of homes are for sale that the seller can attract more buyers by pre-inspecting their home prior to placing the “for sale” sign in the yard.
Pre-listing inspections benefit all parties involved, and they are gaining in popularity. Selling agents are given time to help the seller decide what areas to work on to improve the homes appeal. They help the agent set the seller's price expectation and can be used to substantiate a higher asking price. Agents will have fewer issues to negotiate at the 11th hour, and buyers may even waive their inspection.
Sellers can choose who they want to perform the inspection and assist in providing details of equipment maintenance, supply dates of improvements and explanations for current conditions. They will gain more time to make repairs and compare bids on work to be done and can truly provide full disclosure to their potential buyers.
Buyers’ benefits include removing doubt regarding initial concerns and may reduce the stress associated with purchasing a home. However, any buyer should hire their own inspector to complete the job. Buyers want a service provider dedicated to serving their needs, answer their questions and looking out for their concerns.
Just like a regular tour, home buyers should shadow the home inspector through the home. It's important to see first hand any problems that might be present and understand the cost to fix. Also, the benefits of following along include understanding how the home works and where everything is located.
Pre-listing inspections may eventually become the more common home inspection performed and current market conditions may very well be the catalyst for the change. Either way, the importance of having a home inspection as part of the home sales process cannot be understated. It protects all parties involved by providing invaluable information to those involved so that educated decisions can be made. It is also important to be sure that your inspector is a member of The American Association of Home Inspectors or meets the requirements of your state.
A home inspection can even be an important step in the home buying process for a brand-new place.
Home inspectors will check for potential problems in hidden areas, such as the roof or the home's plumbing system.
An inspector can examine the condition of several aspects of the home to gauge its sustainability even if a resident has yet to move in. Here are the most important features in a home that need inspection:
- Foundation and structure
- Exterior and interior
- Roof and attic
- Plumbing
- Insulation
- Major electrical components
If there are issues with your new home, a good home inspector should identify the problems before a builder's warranty expires.
Ask the inspector to join him in the inspection. This gives you a chance to see any issues firsthand, and to learn about your home’s structure. A typical inspection should cost between $200 and $400, depending on the type of inspection being done, the size of the home and other variables. A thorough home inspection should take at least two hours.
Once the inspection is done, you should receive a clearly worded, detailed report delivered within a few days. A report should list the condition of the home from top-to-bottom, inside and out, with recommendations from the inspector. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the report if you have them.
Buying a home is one of the largest purchases many ever make. Once you have found the home you want and the price has been negotiated, it remains important to have a detailed examination of the property and home you are about to own. A well-staged home can look flawless, but a professional inspection can reveal many things that go unnoticed to the untrained eye.
In most cases you will need to inspect the entire property before buying. Hire a professional home inspector to inspect the entire house so you know exactly what you are getting into. Most foreclosed properties come “as is."
Getting a detailed and impartial home inspection is a necessary aspect of the home buying process. A thorough inspection can help ease the stress of buying a home.
At the end of an inspection, speak to your home inspector on the findings. If any issues seem complicated, ask to see the specific areas of concern. Your home inspection should also include a detailed report in writing within a few days of the inspection. An inspector will likely find some issues, even if they are minor. Make sure the inspector provides "must-do" versus "nice-to-have" options for repair.
All questions about the home should be answered to have a complete inspection.
Comments
Home inspection
you neglected to mention the largest home inspection association in the State of California CREIA.
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