Why do I need a home
inspection?
Would you buy a used car that has not
passed state inspection?
If you were a mechanic you might. If not, probably
not. Most of the homes I inspect are previously owned.
They are in various states of repair, from excellent to
marginal. A comprehensive home inspection will give you an
unbiased third party report, that will allow you to make an informed
decision.
When do I call a home
inspector? A home inspector is
typically contacted immediately after the contract or purchase
agreement has been signed. Before you sign, make sure there is an
inspection clause in the sales contract, making your final purchase
obligation contingent upon the findings of a professional home
inspection. This clause should specify the terms to which both parties
are obligated.
Can a home fail an
inspection?
No. A professional home inspection is an
examination of the current condition of the home. It is not
an appraisal or a municipal inspection to verify code compliance.
I do not pass or fail a home.
My job is to inform and
educate my clients about the condition of the inspected items,
describe the home's physical condition and indicate what may need major
repair or replacement. I leave it to you and your agent to decide how
to proceed
after receiving this important information.
What if the report
reveals problems?
No house is perfect. If the inspector
identifies
problems or defects, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you
should
not buy the house, only that you will know in advance what to expect. A
seller may make repairs if major problems are found. If your budget is
tight or if you don’t want to become involved in future
repair
work, this information will be important to you.
The home we are buying is
brand new, do we need an inspection?
Absolutely. No one can build something
as large and complex as a house
without committing a few errors at various stages of the process. After
years of inspecting, I have learned that all new homes will have their
defects of one kind or another, regardless of the quality of
construction or the integrity of the builder. This is because human
imperfection prevents anything as large and as complex as a home from
being constructed flawlessly.
I have discovered many building or
safety infractions that municipal building officials had totally
ignored. I have never inspected a newly constructed home
that was totally flawless. Your home inspection report will always
contain a list of items that need to be corrected.
There is no perfect home. A
professional home inspection on a brand new home is always beneficial.
How much does an
inspection cost? The cost of an inspection
depends on several factors. Square footage, age, number of
heating and cooling zones, basement or crawl space, etc. When shopping
for a home inspector, the last question you should ask is "how much is
the fee?" The primary and essential questions are:
How long have you been a home inspector?
How many homes have you inspected?
What are your professional credentials?
The purchase price of your home is
probably in the
hundreds of thousands of dollars. An investment of this amount warrants
a degree of scrutiny that far outweighs the cost of an inspection.
The defects that await discovery by a qualified home
inspector
might involve repair costs of several hundred or several thousand
dollars. The ability of a home inspector to discover the many possible
defects in a home increases with years of professional experience. Home
inspectors who acquire high levels of such experience set their prices
accordingly and fairly.
How long does an
inspection take?
A typical home inspection takes between
2 1/2 to 3
1/2 hours depending on the age, size and number of systems in the home.
I recommend that you attend and accompany me
during
the inspection. I will answer your questions and concerns
then
and there.
What if I have questions
about the inspection report?
I am available to answer any questions
or be of
any help after the inspection. Just call or send an
email. All calls are returned in a timely fashion.
What is the life of home
components? There are many variables to
consider when judging the life expectancy of a roof, HVAC
system or appliances. Here is a document
from the National
Association of Home Builders that has a comprehensive list.
My only interest in the home buying process, is the best
interest of my clients. Whether your home is older or new, 500 or
10,000
square feet, buyers should not forgo the benefits of a comprehensive
home
inspection performed by an unbiasedthird
party.
Give
us a
call now to book your inspection
410.746.6274
We have years of experience and a reputation for thoroughness.
Only home inspections performed by licensed inspectors are valid under
a real estate contract.
American Society of Home Inspectors
(ASHI) #
243786