The [REAL] Purpose of a Home Inspection!

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Often home buyers will ask me what the purpose is of paying a licensed Home Inspector for a home inspection?

I have also seen situations where a home buyer might think that the licensed Home Inspector will tell them if they should buy the property or not.

The reality is that no home is perfect and the home inspection report will come back with a list of problems or items of interest.

When you go see houses with your Realtor you can certainly flip light switches on and off to see if they work.

You can look around to see if there are discoloured ceilings that might suggest a water leak from above.

But there are many things about a home that a human eye can’t see so technology will help in those situations, or things that a licensed Home Inspector is trained to look for and also trained on knowing where to look.

Typically there are common things that are licensed home inspector will look for.

They are the common things that might either be very costly for you to fix later on after you own a home or items that might suggest much more significant problems within the house.

The first major thing an Inspector looks for is water damage.
When water gets into a homes vicinity it can cause a range of major issues. Water in the basement can be a sign of structural damage.

And like I alluded to earlier, water stains on the walls or ceilings can be caused by roof leaks or plumbing issues above.

In addition to considering the potential costs of fixing such issues, in the event of overlooked or hidden water damage, mold can form and potentially make the environment toxic and unhealthy.

Exposure to mold in damp, indoor environments is linked with upper respiratory tract symptoms.
In severe cases, mold removal can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

The second major thing and inspector looks for is structural integrity of the property.
Foundations are meant to stay in one place. But overtime water can cause the soil around the foundation walls to expand.

When the water goes away, the soil shrinks and the foundation settles. This can create cracks and pathways for water to enter the structure.
The cost to repair a house foundation can range from $1000 to well over $10,000 depending on how severe the problem is.

The third major thing and inspector looks for is the condition of the roof.
A strong roof is necessary to protect a home from weather and elements.
And a deteriorating roof could lead to more extensive issues like leaks in the ceiling or even pest infestation.

The fourth major thing and inspector looks for his problems with the electrical system.
Some electrical issues may cost more than others to fix, however you need to take them seriously as they could eventually cause a fire or you could get electrocuted.

The fifth major thing an inspector looks for is problems with plumbing.
As I previously mentioned, water is a home owners worst enemy.

It can be hard to notice major plumbing issues like water pressure and drainage issues until an Inspector comes in.

Re-doing a house’s plumbing can cost tens of thousands of dollars. And minor leaks or rusted pipes could be a sign of a much bigger plumbing issue.

Even a leaky faucet alone could significantly run up your water bills.

The sixth major thing and inspector look for is past, rodents, or insect infestations.

Carpenter ants, certain types of beetles, and termites are among the common wood destroying insects that severely damage at home because most of the studs holding the walls in place are likely wood, as are the roof joists in the attic.

The seventh major thing and inspector look for is the furnace, air-conditioning, and ventilation system, which control the airflow in the home.

Certain components of the system can break down or malfunction, which can compromise the air efficiency and quality, especially in older systems.

In conclusion I will leave you with this.
A licensed Home Inspector is hired to inspect and identify possible issues with a property.

Some issues might be very minor while others might be major issues.

But an Inspector will not give a pass or fail on the inspection report.
And they won’t tell you if you should or should not buy a house or not.

It’s up to you and your Realtor to discuss the findings of the inspection.

If they are all minor issues that’s quite common and usually not an issue for a buyer.
But if there are major issues then there are usually three options for you as a buyer.

The first option is for your Realtor to renegotiate the purchase price of your offer in order to lower the price so that you can hire your own specialists to repair the issues once you own the house.

The second option is for your Realtor to renegotiate the conditions of your offer to require the seller to agree to fix or replace the issues that concern you prior to completing the purchase and sale.

The third option is that you can choose to not proceed with the purchase of that home.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

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