It's also a great bargaining tool in final negotiations.
Hiring a home inspector
- The important point to remember is to hire an expert who is familiar with the type of home to be inspected and who has practical experience and technical knowledge to access the condition of the home.
- No home or condo will ever pass or fail this type of inspection. Rather, it is designed to educate the buyer about the condition of the propery.
- If the inspector finds evidence that repairs are needed, the buyer may be able to negotiate to have the work done by the seller, or lower the price based on the cost of the home.
- Any inspector the buyer selects should have back ground experiance in constructing a home. The inspector will go thru the entire home looking for clues about it's condition. He will coment on any clues as to weather they indicate serious or minor problems.
Tips to Rember
- Any prospective home buyer is entilted to, and should accompany the inspector during the inspection tour.
- Taking the tour with the inspector is a good way for the buyer to obtain important information about the home. For example the inspector may offer maintenance tips and share knowledge about major systems and fixtures.
- Touring with the inspector also allows buyers an opportunity to familiarize themselves with matters that should be in the report.
- While touring with the inspector buyers should not hesitate to ask quistions, and should take notes.
- The home buyer can assist the inspector by asking the seller to make available all pertinent infromation about the home. Age of appliances, information about past problems or repairs and warrentees, all facilitate the inspector's examination.
- If the home is vacant, the buyer should make sure that the realestate agent/broker or seller, has had the utilities such as the gas and electricity turned on prior to the inspection.
Common Myths about Home Inspections
Myth # 1- The home inspector is here to look for problems.
False.
We are here to report on the general conditions of the home se of the day of the inspection. Naturally, the report will include both positive and negatine aspects.
Myth # 2- The inspector is here to eliminate all risk in buying the home.
False.
We are here to REDUCE the risk of major repairs, to reduce the risk of DANGEROUS conditions in the home and to report on the general conditions of ESSENTIAL components.
Myth # 3- The inspector is a qualified expert in all fields of construction.
False.
No inspector can be an expert in every aspect of construction. We are generalists, with a broad knowledge of construction methods, systems and there components. Our experiance & training helps us to asses serious problems and bring them to the clients . A quality inspector has been trained in inspection methods methods and in technical analyisis. Through continuing education he learns to be more pro intutive and through. However, in some cases, expert evaluation is needed in a particular areas. Evan the most qualified inspector will inform you when further evaluation by an expert is needed.
Myth # 4.
Having my home inspected means I will not have any repairs or maintenance expenses right away.
False.
The purpose is not report on the minor imperfections in the home warrenty that no repairs will be needed. Every home is in a constant state of deterioration and aging. It is not uncommon for something to break down between the time of the inspection and closing.
Undiscovered defects are sometimes present and the inspector does not have a crystal ball or x-ray vision. An ernest effort is made to detect every possible defect.
Myth # 5.
If my inspector finds something in need of repairs it must be fixed before closing.
False.
Negotiations are left to the parties of the purchase agreement or the realestate experts. However, the findings in our report may have a bearing on the value of the property and may be useful in negotiating for repairs to sub-standard components.
Myth # 6.
The home inspector will advise you weather to buy or not.
False.
Home inspectors are consultants. We are not qualified appraisers and generally not knowledgeable on property values. That's why you have a realtor. A property defect which is a deal breaker for one buyer may not be a decisive issue to another. A home that's a good investment for one person may not be for another.
Myth # 7.
We will provide information pertinent to your purchase decision.
False.
The inspection is a LIMITED visual inspection. It is not a forensic inspection. We will not be dismantleing any major systems in order to inspect. We will remove inspection covers and access panels, if it is not destructive to do so. We cannot see within walls or beneath concrete slabs.
There are literally thousands of components and materials used in the construction of a home. In the limited time for an inspection, we only focas on the most essential and highest risk areas. As a consultant we will comment on non-essential components as time permits.
