Shorewest Shares: Things You Should Know About Home Inspections

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SS3If you’re a buyer hiring someone to inspect your dream home, or if you’re a seller trying to find out if there are hidden problems that need fixing before you put your home on the market, here are some tips you need to know:

  1. You can choose your home inspector. Your real estate professional can recommend an inspector, or you can find one on your own. Members of the National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc., must complete an approved home inspector training program, demonstrate experience and competence as a home inspector, complete a written exam and adhere to the NAHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
  1. Home inspections are intended to point out adverse conditions, not cosmetic flaws. You should attend the inspection and follow your inspector throughout the inspection so you can learn what’s important and what’s not. No house is perfect, and an inspection on any home is bound to uncover faults. A home inspector will point out conditions that need repair and/or potential safety-related concerns relating to the home. They won’t comment on cosmetic items if they don’t impair the integrity of the home.
  1. Home inspections reports only include the basic. A home inspector considers hundreds of items during an average inspection. The home inspection should include the home’s exterior, steps, porches, decks, chimneys, roof, windows and doors. Inside, they will look at attics, electrical components, plumbing, central heating and air conditioning, basement/crawlspaces and garages.
  1. Home inspectors work for the party who is paying the fee. The NAHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics clearly states that members act as an unbiased third party to the real estate transaction. A reputable home inspector will not conduct a home inspection or prepare a home inspection report if his or her fee is contingent on the untruthful conclusions. The inspector should maintain client confidentiality and keep all report findings private, unless required by court order. If you’re a seller, you don’t have to disclose the report to buyers, but you must disclose any failure in the systems or integrity of your home.
  1. Inspectors are not responsible for the condition of the home. Inspectors don’t go behind the walls or under flooring, so it’s possible that a serious problem can be overlooked. Keep in mind that inspectors are not party to the sales transaction, so if you buy a home where an expensive problem surfaces after the sale, you won’t be able to make the inspector liable or get the inspector to pay for the damage. As a buyer, you need the home inspection to decide if the home is in condition that you can tolerate. You can use this report to show the seller the need for a certain repair or negotiate a better price. You can also take the report to a contractor and use it to make repairs or to remodel a section of the home.

Looking to purchase your dream home but don’t know where to start? Contact Shorewest and we’ll find you an agent that’ll be a perfect fit.

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