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You've made an offer for a home and included a professional home inspection rider. Hiring a good inspector is tough enough. But figuring out what the inspection report means can be more challenging.
Most inspectors either carry a stack of pre-printed forms that they use to complete during their home inspections, or a handheld computer device that they connect to a mobile printer and use to print out your home's inspection report.
The report is typically divided into sections. The first section details the services that the inspector will provide, and a statement limiting the liability of the inspector to the fee paid should he or she miss something during the inspection.
The report may have a section giving general information and tips to the home buyer as to the proper maintenance of the home. The balance of the report will consist of a room-by-room evaluation of the home, including electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, structural, landscaping, and general maintenance issues.
To make the most of your home inspection, plan to be there during the one- to two-hour inspection. You can listen to the inspector (and take notes!) as he or she makes comments about the home and ask about any problems.
By following the inspector, you can discover where the water shut-off valves, circuit breaker box, and furnace filter are, as well as where the emergency switches are for some of the appliances. Since many home inspectors have some knowledge as to the costs involved in maintaining and repairing a home, they can be helpful in giving you a ballpark idea of what costs you'll face as the home's new owner.
The summary section at the end of the report contains handwritten comments about the major problems the inspector wants the home buyer to notice.
The best reports have detailed written commentary to help the home buyer understand the scope of any problems or defects in the home. Read the report while the home inspector is there and then be prepared to ask about anything you don't understand. |
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 Before you hire an inspector, ask what the scope of the home inspection will be. Will the inspector inspect both the interior and exterior of the home? Perform a full inspection of the roof, furnace, boiler, air conditioning system and hot water heater? How long will the inspection take? Unless it is a small condo, beware if the inspection lasts less than two hours.
Before you hire an inspector, ask what the scope of the home inspection will be. Will the inspector inspect both the interior and exterior of the home? Perform a full inspection of the roof, furnace, boiler, air conditioning system and hot water heater? How long will the inspection take? Unless it is a small condo, beware if the inspection lasts less than two hours.
If the inspector points out a problem or defect, be sure to ask how much the inspector thinks it will cost to repair the defect and, more importantly, what will happen if the defect is left as is.
If the inspector points out a problem or defect, be sure to ask how much the inspector thinks it will cost to repair the defect and, more importantly, what will happen if the defect is left as is.
If the inspector recommends additional inspections for the home, including well water, septic system, radon, termite, synthetic stucco and lead in water, ask how much you can expect to pay for these inspections and if they can be done simultaneously.
If the inspector recommends additional inspections for the home, including well water, septic system, radon, termite, synthetic stucco and lead in water, ask how much you can expect to pay for these inspections and if they can be done simultaneously.
Be sure to show up for the inspection. The comments and information shared between the inspector and home buyer during the inspection are generally more detailed and of greater value than the written comments in the inspector's report.
Be sure to show up for the inspection. The comments and information shared between the inspector and home buyer during the inspection are generally more detailed and of greater value than the written comments in the inspector's report.
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