Q.
WHAT IS
A "HOME
INSPECTION"?
A home
inspection
is an
objective
visual
examination
of the
physical
structure
and systems
of a home,
from the
roof to the
foundation.
Having a
home
inspected is
like giving
it a
physical
check-up. If
problems or
symptoms are
found, the
inspector
may
recommend
further
evaluation.
Q. WHAT
DOES IT
INCLUDE?
The standard
home
inspector's
report will
review the
condition of
the home's
heating
system,
central air
conditioning
system
(temperature
permitting),
interior
plumbing and
electrical
systems; the
roof, attic,
and visible
insulation;
walls,
ceilings,
floors,
windows and
doors; the
foundation,
basement,
and visible
structure.
Q. WHY DO
I NEED A
HOME
INSPECTION?
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
also points
out the
positive
aspects of a
home, as
well as the
maintenance
that will be
necessary to
keep it in
good shape.
After the
inspection,
you will
have a much
clearer
understanding
of the
property you
are about to
purchase.
If you are
already a
home owner,
a home
inspection
may be used
to identify
problems in
the making
and to learn
preventive
measures
which might
avoid costly
future
repairs. If
you are
planning to
sell your
home, you
may wish to
have an
inspection
prior to
placing your
home on the
market. This
will give
you a better
understanding
of
conditions
which may be
discovered
by the
buyer's
inspector,
and an
opportunity
to make
repairs that
will put the
house in
better
selling
condition.
Q. WHAT
WILL IT
COST?
The
inspection
fee for a
typical
one-family
house varies
geographically,
as does the
cost of
housing.
Similarly,
within a
given area,
the
inspection
fee may vary
depending
upon the
size of the
house,
particular
features of
the house,
its age, and
possible
additional
services,
such as
radon
testing. 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
inspection
is well
worth the
cost, and
the
lowest-priced
inspector is
not
necessarily
a bargain.
The
inspector's
qualifications,
including
his
experience,
training,
and
professional
affiliations,
should be
the most
important
consideration.
Q. CAN'T
I DO IT
MYSELF?
Even the
most
experienced
home owner
lacks the
knowledge
and
expertise of
a
professional
home
inspector
who has
inspected
hundreds,
perhaps
thousands,
of homes in
his or her
career. An
inspector is
familiar
with the
many
elements of
home
construction,
their proper
installation,
and
maintenance.
He or she
understands
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.
Q. CAN A
HOUSE FAIL
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
what may
need repair
or
replacement.
Q. HOW DO
I FIND A
HOME
INSPECTOR?
The best
source is a
friend, or
perhaps a
business
acquaintance,
who has been
satisfied
with and
can recommend a
home
inspector
they have
used. Real
estate
agents,
lawyers and
mortgage
representatives
are also
generally
familiar
with
inspectors,
and should
be able to
provide you
with a list
of names
from which
to choose.
Whatever
your
referral
source, you
will want
to make sure
that the
home
inspector
is a Member of
the American
Society of
Home
Inspectors®
(ASHI®) in
order to
be certain of
his or her
professional
qualifications,
experience,
and business
ethics.
Q. WHAT
IS THE
AMERICAN
SOCIETY
OF HOME
INSPECTORS®?
The
American
Society of
Home
Inspectors®
(ASHI®) is
the oldest
and leading
non-profit
professional
association
for
independent
home
inspectors.
Since its
formation in
1976, ASHI's
"Standards
of Practice"
have served
as the home
inspector's
performance
guideline,
universally
recognized
and accepted
by
professional
and
government
authorities
alike. ASHI's
professional
Code of
Ethics
prohibits
Members from
engaging
in conflict of
interest
activities
which might
compromise
their
objectivity.
This is the
consumer's
assurance
that the
inspector
will not,
for example,
use the
inspection
to solicit
or refer
repair work.
Q. WHO
BELONGS TO
ASHI®?
Members
of ASHI® are
independent
professional
home
inspectors
who have met
the most
rigorous
technical
and
experience
requirements
in effect
today. To
become an
ASHI Member,
an inspector
must pass
two written
technical
exams, have
performed a
minimum of
250
professional
fee-paid
home
inspections,
and
maintained
his or her
candidate
status for
no less than
six months.
ASHI Members
are required
to follow
the
Society's
Code of
Ethics, and
to obtain
continuing
education
credits in
order to
keep current
with the
latest in
building
technology,
materials,
and
professional
skills.
Q. WHEN
DO I CALL IN
THE HOME
INSPECTOR?
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 an
inspection
clause in
the
contract,
making your
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.
Q. DO I
HAVE TO BE
THERE?
It is
not
necessary
for you to
be present
for the
inspection,
but it is
recommended.
You will be
able to
observe the
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 written
report
easier to
understand
if you've
seen the
property
first-hand
through the
inspector's
eyes.
Q. WHAT
IF THE
REPORT
REVEALS
PROBLEMS?
No house
is perfect.
If the
inspector
identifies
problems, it
doesn't
necessarily
mean you
shouldn't
buy the
house, only
that you
will know in
advance what
to expect. A
seller may
adjust the
purchase
price or
contract
terms if
major
problems are
found. If
your budget
is tight, or
if you don't
wish to
become
involved in
future
repair work,
this
information
will be
extremely
important to
you.
Q. IF THE
HOUSE PROVES
TO BE IN
GOOD
CONDITION,
DID I REALLY
NEED AN
INSPECTION?
Definitely.
Now you can
complete
your home
purchase
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 from
the
inspector's
written
report, and
will want to
keep that
information
for future
reference.
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