| You should care, whether you're the buyer, seller or | | | | plumbing, kitchens and appliances, the HVAC system, |
| investor. In Arizona real estate, Professional Home | | | | wiring he can see, like in the attic, other electrical |
| Inspectors are licensed and certified. They have to | | | | items like whether each outlet works and whether or |
| pass a rigorous course of work at an accredited | | | | not there are GCFI Circuits close to water areas like |
| school, then must work on the job for a minimum | | | | sinks and tubs. |
| number of inspections working directly with a | | | | Important: The inspector records all of his/her |
| Licensed home inspector after sitting for their state | | | | observations, writes them in the standard report, and |
| exam. | | | | including taking pictures, leaves a copy with the |
| Professional inspectors usually are hired by the buyer | | | | buyer. The seller by law is also entitled to a copy |
| and inspect the home that was purchased using an | | | | even though the buyer is probably paying the |
| agent who found the home on the Phoenix MLS. The | | | | inspector. With this information and any other |
| home could be in Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert or | | | | information gathered during the inspection period, the |
| Phoenix, or any other part of Arizona. If the buyer | | | | buyer has one and only one chance to ask the seller |
| indeed used a Realtor they most likely wrote the | | | | to make repairs or accept the house as is (the |
| offer on the standard Arizona Offer to Purchase | | | | default) or cancel the contract in writing and receive |
| agreement. The standard agreement allows for a 10 | | | | their earnest deposit back. This request is usually |
| day inspection period commencing the day after the | | | | done on a form called the Buyer's Inspection Notice |
| last counter offer signature was completed. | | | | and Seller's Response. |
| During the inspection period the buyer has the | | | | Although it is not a checked box option, I also include |
| opportunity to inspect virtually all the systems of a | | | | for my buyer clients, an amount of money the seller |
| house and can thereby determine if the house has | | | | can simply pay to the buyer in lieu of making any |
| any problems serious enough to ask the owner to | | | | repairs at all. This has the advantage of the buyer |
| repair or replace an item or simply fix something. It is | | | | being able to oversee all of the repairs, rather than |
| during this 10 day period, the buyer in almost every | | | | risking that the seller make all the requested and |
| circumstance should hire a Professional home | | | | accepted repairs with a minimum of quality. |
| inspector. In Arizona, including Phoenix, real estate | | | | In any event, hiring a Professional Home Inspector is |
| inspectors have a standard form they fill out on | | | | imperative to getting the home you really thought |
| every home they inspect. The form allows for | | | | you were buying. |
| inspections of the exterior including cracks, the roof, | | | | |