| Home inspection plays a very important role | | | | about areas that need additional work. All of |
| in the real estate process. When you are | | | | the findings will be presented in a formal |
| buying or selling a home, you rely on a home | | | | report that details the condition of the |
| inspector to provide an accurate and reliable | | | | home. A Close Look The main purpose of the |
| inspection of a property. A home inspector | | | | home inspector is to provide an objective |
| will tell you about the condition of the home | | | | viewpoint on the condition of a specific home |
| and help you avoid buying a home that needs | | | | at the time of inspection. The inspector does |
| major repairs. It is the perfect way to get | | | | not evaluate the cost or value of the |
| an in-depth and impartial opinion of your | | | | property, but provides a close examination of |
| next home before you buy it. What to Expect | | | | the following: Structural Components: |
| Typically, you will hire a home inspector | | | | Foundations, floors and walls. Exterior |
| either immediately before an offer is made on | | | | Components: Siding paint, windows, decks, |
| a home or as a contingency to a sale. | | | | garage doors, etc. Roofing: Coverings, |
| Additionally, home inspections are ideal if | | | | flashings, chimneys, etc. Plumbing: Piping, |
| you want to evaluate your home's condition or | | | | fixtures, faucets, water heating and fuel |
| diagnose potential problems before they | | | | storage systems, etc. Electrical: Wiring, |
| become serious issues. Home inspectors | | | | main service panels, conductors, switches, |
| perform the following duties: -Evaluate the | | | | receptacles, etc. Heating: Equipment, safety |
| physical condition of a property, including | | | | controls, distribution systems, chimneys, |
| the structure, construction and mechanical | | | | etc. , Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps: |
| systems. -Identify the items that should be | | | | Cooling and air-handling equipment, controls |
| repaired or replaced. -Estimate the remaining | | | | and ducting, etc. Interior: Partitions, |
| useful life of the major systems (such as | | | | ceilings, floors, railings, doors and |
| electrical, plumbing, heating, air | | | | windows, etc. Insulation and Ventilation: |
| conditioning), equipment, structure, and | | | | Attics, walls, floors, foundations, kitchen |
| finishes. Although inspections are primarily | | | | and bathrooms, etc. They will additionally |
| visual, inspectors may use tape measures, | | | | perform the following services (sometimes for |
| survey instruments, metering devices, and | | | | an extra fee): mold sampling, radon testing, |
| other equipment, such as concrete strength | | | | asbestos evaluation, pests/wood destroying |
| measurers, to aid in their inspection. They | | | | organisms, carbon monoxide testing, lead |
| keep a log of their work, take photographs, | | | | testing, and more. These services are not |
| and file a formal report. The inspection | | | | always available. Make sure to protect your |
| usually takes two or three hours (depending | | | | investment. Get a home inspection before you |
| on the age and size of the home). You should | | | | buy your next home! |
| be present so you can ask questions and learn | | | | |