Saturday, September 6, 2008

Real Estate Definitions; Home Inspections

A home inspection is a complete review of the systems and structure of a houseA home inspection is a complete, top-to-bottom, visual check-up of the structure and systems of a house.

It is meant to be an objective determination of a home's condition.

A home inspection usually takes 3-6 hours to complete, depending on the size of the home.

During the inspection process, the inspector will examine all of the following components of a home:

  • Home exterior including doors, decks, and vegetation
  • Heating and cooling systems for leaks and efficiency
  • Electrical systems for safety and soundness of design
  • Plumbing systems for venting, distribution, and drainage

In addition, the inspector will review the roofing system, the home's interior, and several other parts of the property.

A home inspection may be ordered by a home owner or by a home buyer.

For a home owner, an inspection can detail a home's shortcomings and provide a roadmap for repairs. This can help a person prepare his home for sale because "major issues" can be addressed in advance of listing.

For a home buyer, a home inspection physically reviews a home under contract, identifying structural flaws that may impact the home's desirability. This is essential for the negotiation process because no home is "perfect" -- even new ones!

A home inspection highlights potential long-term trouble spots and the likelihood for expensive home repairs. This is why real estate professionals often recommend inspecting a home immediately after signing a purchase contract.

To find a qualified home inspector in your area, ask your real estate agent for a referral, or visit the American Society of Home Inspectors Web site. Bear in Mind however, the Home Inspectors in Pennsylvania are not licensed or regulated, and are merely bound by the rules and regulations of the professional societies they belong to. Be sure that your inspector carries Errors and Omissions Insurance for your protection.

Source
American Society of Home Inspectors
Frequently Asked Questions on Home Inspections
https://www.homeinspector.org

(Image courtesy: Anderson Home Inspections)

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

May I suggest that you add your Home Inspection definitions to the pool of over 3,000+ definitions about the real estate industry at Real Estate Wiki, the national free quality encyclopedia.

opendoor said...

Duluth home inspector invites you to come along during the inspection and ask any querries if you have regarding your home.For more information log on www.opendoorinspections.com.