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Frequently asked questions concerning Home
Inspections and Home Inspectors:
Do I need an Engineer or a Home
Inspector?
Inspector vs. Engineer:
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You need a home inspector. When you hire a home
inspector, you are hiring an experienced professional who has training and
experience in the building industry. It is the job
of the home inspector to not only evaluate the condition of the house's
major
systems and structural integrity, but also to
evaluate how these systems are working together and identify areas that
need
to be watched, repaired or replaced. |
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Your home inspector gives you the Big Picture
analysis of the house you are purchasing. If the home inspector identifies
the
need for a costly, detailed analysis of any of the
houses' systems or structures, the inspector will recommend the
appropriate
professional, which may be an experienced engineer
with expertise analyzing that particular system or structure. The need for
this kind of expensive, detailed analysis is rare.
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Hiring a Professional Engineer on your own can be a
disappointing experience. The term Professional Engineer does not mean
that the individual has training or experience
conducting home inspections. Additionally, a home inspection does not
involve
engineering analysis. Therefore, hiring a
Professional Engineer to complete a home inspection can undoubtedly costs
more, but it
may not give you the results you desire and
deserve. |
Do I need a home inspection when my
bank is having the house appraised?
Inspection vs. Appraisal:
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Yes! A house appraisal is an independent
evaluation of the current market value of a house or property. In general,
the purpose |
of an appraisal is to set the current value of a house so that a lender may
determine how much it can loan to the buyer. The
appraiser looks at similar properties in the area and the prices at which
they were sold to set the value of the house.
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A house inspector conducts a thorough evaluation of
the houses major systems and structural integrity. Whereas the appraiser
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is typically working for the bank, the house inspector is working for you.
The house inspector identifies items that need
replacement or repair prior to closing, which can save you thousands of
dollars.
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U.S. Department Of Housing And Urban Development
(HUD) requires buyers sign a Consumer Notice advising them |
to get a house inspection in addition to a house appraisal before purchasing
a house with a FHA mortgage. Additionally,
HUD now allows homebuyers to include the costs of appraisal and inspection
in their FHA mortgage.
CAN A HOME FAIL A HOME INSPECTION?
| NO.
A professional home inspection is an examination of the current
condition of your prospective home.
It is not an appraisal, which determines market value, or a
municipal inspection, which verifies local
code compliance. A Home Inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail
a house, but rather describe its
physical condition and indicate in their opinion what may need major
repair or replacement.
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CAN I PERFORM THE HOME INSPECTION MYSELF?
| Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and
expertise of a professional, experienced
Home Inspector. A qualified Home Inspector is familiar with the many
elements of home construction,
their proper installation, and maintenance. As an experienced
certified Home Inspector I also understand
how the home’s systems and components are intended to function
together, as well as how and why they
fail. Above all, most buyers find it very difficult to remain
completely objective and unemotional about the
house they really want, and this may affect their judgment. For the
most accurate information, it is best to
obtain an impartial third-party opinion by an expert in the field of
home inspection. |
WHAT KIND OF QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS SHOULD I LOOK FOR
IN A HOME INSPECTOR?
| Be sure you check them out with the
Better Business Bureau. Read their report, and if they are not listed - Buyer beware. |
| One of the most important requirements to look for in an
inspector is to make sure they are a full time, Certified Inspector! |
| Make certain Real Estate Inspections are ALL THEY DO - This is
very important when choosing a Home Inspector. |
| Currently there are no requirements in the State of Ohio that
requires Home Inspectors to be licensed or certified. This is most
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likely going to change by 2007. But until then be
certain your Home Inspector is Certified with a Nationally
recognized
Home Inspection Association.
| BE CERTAIN TO VERIFY EVERYTHING!! |
Questions to ask when looking for a home
inspector:
| Ask them how long they have been in the business and how much
experience they have. |
| Make sure your Home Inspector has Professional and General
Liability insurance. |
| Ask them what kind of report they will deliver. Is it a
computer generated narrative type & does it include pictures? It
doesn't matter how good the Inspector is if you can't read or
understand the report. |
| Ask them what kind of tools they have |
| Do they have a moisture meter? |
| Do they have a Carbon Monoxide tester? |
| Do they have the proper equipment to test electrical GFCI and AFCI
systems , if so equipped,
for proper functionality? |
| Do they have a flow meter? |
| Do they have a water pressure meter? |
| Do they have a digital temperature scan meter? |
| Do they climb roofs, go in attics and crawlspaces? |
These are some common questions you should ask a prospective Home Inspector.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK-----THIS IS YOUR MULTI THOUSAND DOLLAR
INVESTMENT---
BE CERTAIN ABOUT YOUR HOME INSPECTOR!!
IS A HOME INSPECTION WORTH THE COST?
| The home inspection fee for a typical one-family house varies
geographically, as does the cost of housing. It is a
good idea to check local prices on your own. However, DO NOT LET
COST be a factor in deciding whether
or not to have a home inspection, OR IN THE SELECTION OF YOUR HOME
INSPECTOR. The knowledge gained
from an experienced home inspector is well worth the cost, and the
lowest-priced inspector is NOT necessarily
a bargain. When selecting a home inspector, be certain to take into
consideration their qualifications, including
experience, training, and professional home inspection affiliations.
Also be sure your home inspector carries
PROFESSIONAL & GENERAL liability insurance. And remember, this is a
multi-thousand dollar investment you
are making. Spending an extra $50.00 or $75.00 for a well qualified
Home Inspector very well may end up being
be the best money you ever spent. |
WHY DO I NEED A HOME INSPECTION?
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The purchase of a home is probably the largest
single investment you will ever make. 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 performed by The Home
Inspection Company also points out the positive aspects of a home,
as well as the maintenance items 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. If you are already a homeowner, a home
inspection may be used to identify problems
in the making and to teach preventive measures, which might avoid
costly future repairs.
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Should I get a Pre-Sale
Inspection:
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If you are planning to
sell your home, you may wish to have a home inspection prior to
placing your home on the market.
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This will give you
a better understanding of conditions which may be discovered by the
buyer’s home inspector, and an opportunity
to make repairs that will put your home in better selling condition.
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It is also a proven fact that the home owners that
get pre-sale inspections performed sell much faster than homes that
don't. The report is a powerful tool when it comes to selling your
current home.
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WHEN DO I CALL THE HOME INSPECTOR?
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A Home Inspector is typically contacted right after
the contract or purchase agreement has been signed, and is
often available within a few days. However, before you sign, be sure
that there is a home 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 the buyer and
seller are obligated.
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For a pre-listing home inspection you should call before you
contract with a realtor to sell your house.
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DO I HAVE TO BE THERE DURING THE HOME INSPECTION?
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It is not necessary for you to be present for the
home inspection, but it is recommended. You will be able to observe
the
home inspector and ask questions directly, as you learn about the
condition of the home, how its systems work, and
how to maintain it. You will also find the home inspection report
easier to understand if you’ve seen the property first-hand
through the home inspector’s eyes.
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WHAT IF THE HOME INSPECTION REPORT REVEALS
PROBLEMS?
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No house is perfect. If the home inspector identifies problems, it
doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t buy the house,
only that you will know in advance what to expect. You and your
Realtor should discuss any issues found during the inspection
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and decide on if you should re-negotiate or not.
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If you & your Realtor do decide to renegotiate
issues discovered, a seller may
adjust the purchase price or make repairs
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if major problems
are found.
IF THE HOUSE PROVES TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION, DID I
REALLY NEED A HOME INSPECTION?
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Definitely. Now you can complete your home purchase with
confidence & with your eyes open as to the condition of the
property and all its equipment and systems. You will also have
learned many things about your new home. |
HOW LONG DOES THE HOME INSPECTION TAKE?
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A typical single-family home inspection will usually last between
3 and 4 hours, depending on the size & condition of the
home. |
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