| What is Involved in Home Inspections For buyers | | | | be inspected. |
| As a buyer, you may be asking yourself whether | | | | Home Inspection Checklist Items Needing Service |
| you really need to spend the money for a Home | | | | Home inspection reports do not describe the |
| Inspection. I would have to say that there is no | | | | condition of every component if its in excellent |
| Home Buyer that can afford not to have a home | | | | shape, but should note every item that is defective |
| inspected by a qualified Home Inspector. | | | | or needing service. The serious problems can include: |
| Here is what they do: | | | | Health and safety issues, Roofs with a short life |
| In North Carolina where I live, Home Inspectors are | | | | expectancy, Furnace / A/C malfunctions, Foundation |
| licensed through the State, and are usually members | | | | deficiencies, Moisture / drainage issues. If at all |
| of the National Association of Certified Home | | | | possible, everyone involved in the purchase of a |
| Inspectors. (If you are in another state, you will been | | | | home should be present for the inspection. You are |
| to check on State Regulations there for what a | | | | paying for it and you need to understand all of the |
| Home Inspector is required to do). You will receive a | | | | report from the person who is doing the inspection. |
| report with the following items as a check list in | | | | They can physically show you what items are an |
| order to allow you the important information you | | | | issue. You will receive a detailed report, which will |
| need to continue with the purchase of a home. | | | | included photographs of all of the items the inspector |
| Structural elements include construction of walls, | | | | states are problems. But if you are not present at |
| ceilings, floors, roof and foundation. The inspector will | | | | the inspection, you may not be able to find the items |
| crawl under the homes foundation, or inspect the | | | | they are talking about. So being present gives you a |
| basement for leaks in the walls, sagging in any | | | | better idea of what is going on. |
| supports, water sitting under the home, and more. | | | | Items that should be fixed: |
| The floors will be checked for structural soundness, | | | | As a buyer, you have a choice as to what you think |
| especially around water pipes exiting the living space. | | | | are the most important items to fix. Large items like |
| The roof framing, ventilation, type of roof | | | | a furnace or roof issue should be addressed as soon |
| construction, flashing and gutters will be inspected to | | | | as possible after the inspection. You can submit a |
| make sure everything is working properly. It does | | | | repair request to the sellers and ask them to repair |
| not include a guarantee of roof condition. | | | | the items prior to closing. They have the option of |
| Exterior Evaluation Will include things such as all | | | | saying yes or no. Be sure to talk with your agent in |
| covering, landscaping, grading, elevation, drainage, | | | | order to understand what is a reasonable request |
| driveways, fences, sidewalks, fascia, trim, doors, | | | | and what can effect the purchase of your home. |
| windows, lights and exterior receptacles. Keep in mind | | | | You can call around a get estimates for repair of any |
| that here in North Carolina, the grade of a road or | | | | items on the inspectors list. This will give you a better |
| driveway, and its condition, are both very important. | | | | idea of whether you will want to repair the items |
| We have some steep roads here and they must be | | | | after moving in, or have the sellers do them. Keep in |
| maintained well. | | | | mind that an inspection only reports what is visible to |
| Plumbing will identify pipe materials used for potable, | | | | the inspector. They cannot uncover walls and see |
| drain, waste and vent pipes, including the condition. | | | | inside. But they can detect issues that are visible. |
| Toilets, showers, sinks, faucets and traps are | | | | I would recommend that all buyers, whether a first |
| inspected for leaks or drips. It does not include a | | | | time buyer, or a seasoned on, should get a full report |
| sewer inspection. You must get a separate septic | | | | from a Qualified Home Inspector prior to buying a |
| inspection from a certified Septic Inspector if needed. | | | | home. There are things they can see that you may |
| Air Conditioners | | | | not. It is worth the peace a of mind and well being to |
| Systems and Components. This will include water | | | | know what you are getting into. |
| heaters, furnaces, air conditioning, duct work, | | | | If you are a seller and want to stand out in the |
| chimney, fireplace and sprinklers. An inspector will | | | | competition, you can be proactive and have a Home |
| typically run all systems while there to insure they are | | | | Inspection done prior to placing your home on the |
| working properly. | | | | market. Or, if your home is already on the market, |
| Electrical Main panels and circuit breakers, types of | | | | you can still have this done. Once you get the report |
| wiring, grounding, exhaust fans, receptacles, ceiling | | | | done, you may choose to do some of the repairs |
| fans and light fixtures will all be inspected. | | | | and offer the inspection and repair list to potential |
| Appliances Dishwasher, range and oven, built-in | | | | buyers as a show of good faith. It will go a long way |
| microwaves, garbage disposal, and even smoke | | | | in building trust throughout the process. |
| detectors will be inspected. Garages The slab, walls, | | | | Whichever side of the home process you are on, |
| ceiling, vents, entry, firewall, garage door, openers, | | | | Home Inspections can assist you in making the right |
| lights, receptacles, exterior, windows and roof will all | | | | decision. |