Home buyers need to check out their potential homes and that involves more than sizing up the living room colors. They must get down to the basics. In fact, home buyers should check out the foundation and every structural issue between that point and the roof. Enter the home inspector!
Home Inspections
A home inspector can check the home's structure as well as the plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning systems. They will check for fire and safety issues, major problems, and general maintenance concerns. If a home inspector has the specific qualifications, inspections can include everything from water quality to mould, as well as septic and private well inspections, and even checks for WDI (wood destroying insects). Not all home inspectors are experts on every issue, however, such as septic inspections, radon testing, and other specialty areas.
Of course, home inspectors cannot guarantee that they will discover every defect or predict every future issue. Yet a qualified home inspector will conduct an extensive investigation into the current condition of the home. Armed with this information, the home buyer can make an informed decision about a pending purchase.
Home Inspectors
There is a distinction between a home inspector and a home appraiser. Appraising a property involves determining the value of a property. Home inspections focus on the condition of a home's structure.
Home inspection is not a 'pass and fail' system. The process points out the present condition of the home. It falls to the home buyer to decide if they are willing to update the heating system or compile a list of requests for a home seller to complete before closing. Sometimes a second home inspection is required to see if the home meets the agreed upon condition before closing. Generally within the United States and Canada, home inspections are required before a home purchase contract is considered a valid agreement.
Licensed Home Inspectors
Home inspections can give peace of mind and a sense of security to home buyers. Overall, home inspection companies are run by qualified inspectors with a strong commitment to customer service. Yet there is one disturbing fact about U.S. home inspections. Not all states require home inspectors to hold a license.
More than 30 U.S. states, however, regulate home inspectors in some form or another. Meanwhile, home owners in the other states might get an experienced and conscientious home inspector or an inexperienced and unqualified individual. These home owners do not enjoy the benefits and security of having access to a regulated industry. Keep in mind that one's safety, security, comfort, and investment is riding on a home inspection. Home owners deserve the services of licensed home inspectors.
Divorce-Related Home Inspections
It is not only home buyers who need a home inspection. As well, home owners in the process of divorce need the services of a home inspector. Determining home value depends on the structural condition of the home. Many home inspectors list divorce-related inspections among their services.
Getting A Divorce? Are You Getting A Home Inspection?
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