FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you are planning to sell your home, a home inspection can identify problems and give you the opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition or to prepare you to answer questions that might arise when a prospective buyer has your home inspected.

Contact a home inspector immediately after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed for the property. Before you sign, be sure there is an inspection clause in the sales contract, making your final purchase obligation contingent on the findings of a professional home inspection. This clause should specify the terms and conditions to which both the buyer and seller are obligated. For example, as the buyer, you can use the home inspection report to help negotiate the final price of the property, or ask for items to be fixed before you will purchase the property.

If you already are a homeowner, a home inspection can identify problems in the making and repairs that should be made to keep the property in shape. A general inspection can also suggest preventive measures that might help you avoid costly future repairs.

Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a licensed, professional home inspector. An inspector is familiar with the elements of home construction, proper installation, maintenance and safety of home features. A home inspector knows how the home’s systems and components are intended to function, as well as why they fail.

Above all, most buyers and sellers find it difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the property, and this may influence their judgment. For accurate information, it is best to obtain an impartial, third-party opinion by a licensed professional home inspector.

No. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of a property.

It is not an appraisal, so it does not determine the property's market value.

It is not a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance.

Therefore, a home inspector will not pass or fail a house, but instead describes its physical condition and indicates what components and systems you or the seller may need to repair or replace.

Typically, a home inspector is contacted immediately after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed. Generally there is approximately 10 days to complete the inspection from when the agreement is signed.

Before you sign a purchase agreement, make sure there is an inspection clause in the sales contract, making your final purchase obligation contingent on the findings of a professional home inspection.

This clause should specify the terms and conditions to which both the buyer and seller are obligated.

While you are not required to be present for the inspection, I highly recommend that you find time to be present. You will be able to observe the inspection and ask questions as you learn about the condition of the home and how to maintain it.

No house is perfect. If the inspection identifies problems, it does not mean you should or should not buy the house, only that you will know in advance what to expect from the property.

If the report indicates major repairs are needed and your budget is tight, or if you do not want to do the repairs, this information will be important to you. If major problems are found, a seller may agree to make repairs before you take ownership of the property.

Definitely. Even newly built home might have small issues that the builder overlooked. A home inspection can be used to create a final punch list for your builder and let you complete your home purchase with confidence. You will learn many things about your new home from the home inspection report, and will have that information for future reference.

During a typical home inspection, I usually find anywhere from 5 to 10 items which need repairs. The price to repair many components is often higher than the fee you pay for a home inspection. You can either pay a little bit now, or end up paying a lot more later. Get a fair price for your home with top quality inspection from a licensed, professional home inspector.