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A home inspection is a visual examination of the physical structure and mechanical systems of a home. If you are thinking of buying a house, co-op or condominium, you should have it properly inspected before the final purchase by an experienced and impartial professional home inspector. WHY DO I NEED A HOME
INSPECTION? The purchase of a home is probably the largest single
investment you will ever make. You should know exactly what to expect,
both indoors and out, in terms of repair and maintenance and their costs.
A fresh coat of paint could be hiding serious structural problems. Water
marks in the basement may indicate a chronic seepage problem or may be
simply the result of a single incident. The home inspector interprets
these and other clues, then presents his professional opinion as to the
condition of the property before you buy, so you can avoid unpleasant
surprises afterwards. Of course, a home inspection will also point out the positive aspects of a home, as well as the type of maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape. After the inspection, you will have a much clearer understanding of what it is you are about to purchase, and you will be able to make your decision confidently. If you have owned your home for a period of time, a home inspection can identify problems in the making and recommend preventive measures which might avoid future repairs. Home Purchasers: You should learn as much as you can about the condition of the property and the need for any major repairs before you buy, so that you can minimize unpleasant surprises and difficulties afterwards. Of course, a home inspection also points out the positive aspects of a home, as well as the maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape. After the inspection, you will have a much clearer understanding of the house you are about to purchase. Home Sellers: If you are already a home owner, a home inspection may be used to identify problems in the making and to learn preventive measures which might avoid costly future repairs. If you are planning to sell your home, you may wish to have an inspection prior to placing your home on the market. This will give you a better understanding of conditions which may be discovered by the buyer's inspector, and an opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition. Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector who has inspected hundreds, perhaps thousands of homes in his career. An inspector is equally familiar with all the elements of home construction and with the proper installation, maintenance and interrelationships of those elements. Above all, most buyers find it very difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the house they really want, and this may lead to a poor assessment. The inspection fee for a typical one-family house varies geographically, as does the cost of housing. Similarly, within a geographic area, the inspection fee may vary depending upon the size of the house, particular features of the house, age, other structures, etc. Typically, the cost of a property inspection will be less than 1/10th of 1 percent of the purchase price of the property. However, cost should not be a factor in the decision whether or not to have a home inspection. Often savings many times the cost of the inspection are made as the buyer is able to renegotiate the purchase price based on significant problems revealed by the inspector. Contact Able Property Inspections for a free inspection estimate. CAN A HOUSE "FAIL"
INSPECTION? No. A professional home inspection is simply an examination into the current condition of your prospective home. It is not an appraisal or a Municipal Code inspection. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but will simply describe its condition and indicate which items will be in need of immediate or near future major repair or replacement. WHEN DO I CALL IN THE HOME
INSPECTOR? The best time to call in the home inspector is immediately after your offer on the house has been accepted. Usually the agreement has a "subject to inspection" clause which is valid for a few days. You can ask your realtor to include such an inspection clause in the contract, making your purchase obligation contingent upon the findings of a professional home inspection. If you are a seller planning to sell your home, call Able Property Inspections to carry out an inspection prior to listing your property. This will enable you to correct any defects and thereby put you in a position to obtain the best price possible. It's not necessary for you to be present for the inspection, but it is highly recommended and we encourage it. By following the home inspector around the house, by observing and asking questions, you will learn about your new home and get some tips on maintenance in general - information that will be of great help to you after you've moved in. WHAT
IF THE REPORT REVEALS PROBLEMS? All properties have defects, even those which are brand new. If the inspector finds fault in a home it doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't buy it, only that you will know in advance what type of repairs to anticipate. A seller may be willing to renegotiate the purchase price because of significant problems discovered in an inspection. If your budget is very tight, or if you don't want to become involved in future repair work, you may decide that this is not the house for you. The choice is yours. Conversely, if you are selling your home you may be able to repair any problems in advance of putting your home on the market. IF THE
REPORT DID NOT REVEAL PROBLEMS, DID I REALLY NEED AN
INSPECTION? Definitely. Now you can complete your home purchase with peace of mind about the condition of the property and all its equipment and systems. You will also have learned many things about your new home from the inspector and his report, and will want to keep that information for future reference. Above all, you can feel assured that you are making a well-informed purchase decision. |
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