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