You’ve found your dream home and scheduled your home inspection (good for you!) Here are 5 things that you should be mindful to prepare for a home inspection.
The utilities have been turned off.
As you prepare for a home inspection, keep in mind the inspector will need to operate all of the systems and appliances that pass on with the house. This includes everything from the dishwasher, to the HVAC systems, and even the irrigation system. If the home inspector cannot evaluate a system because the utility service is off, these will be identified as systems which could not be properly inspected.
2. The inspector is unable to access important areas.
In order to perform a proper home inspection, the inspector must be able to access almost every part of the house. This includes opening and inspecting inside electrical panels, attic spaces, crawl spaces, etc. The seller will need to remove boxes, bookcases, furniture and anything else blocking access to the furnace, air conditioner, panels, and water heater. The inspector will need three to four feet of working space to inspect these items.
3. The buyers lose sight of the purpose of the inspection.
The purpose of a home inspection is to find out if there are severe structural or mechanical defects. For those that don’t buy and sell homes every day, it is important to understand that the issues should be large enough that they could have a significant impact on the use and enjoyment of the home now and in the future. A home inspection should not be to itemize every minor defect with the home you expect the seller to fix. A stain on the carpet or a smudge on a painted wall are not structural or mechanical defects. And as such, are not noted as “deficiencies” during a home inspection. An excellent buyer’s agent should be able to provide counsel on what is worth focusing on and what should be considered trivial.
4. The buyers are not present for the inspection.
When it comes time for the home inspection, the would-be home buyer should plan to be there. Again, buying a home is a huge investment, and the buyer has a right to attend. Not only that, but the buyer will likely learn a lot about the house. This may include where gas, water and electric shut-off valves are located and age/lifespan of appliances and systems. If you aren’t able to be on-site for the entire inspection, try to carve out at least 30 minutes near the end of the inspection so the inspector can go over his or her findings with you, face-to-face.
5. The buyers do not return the service agreement.
This will not “ruin” your inspection, per se. However, many inspectors will not release their written report to you until this document is signed and returned. Why? Home inspectors are service providers, and when an inspector agrees to perform services for a client, they are entering into a legal contract. The inspector promises to do the work, and the client promises to pay for it. The agreement spells out the terms of the contract and should be read, signed, and returned to the inspector by the buyer BEFORE the inspection is performed. If not, it may cause a delay in the delivery of the report.
When purchasing a home, it's important to remember that you're not just buying the attractive features like a chef's kitchen or a perfect master bath. You're also buying any potential issues that may not have been apparent during your initial tour of the property. This is why a home inspection is crucial, as it allows you to gain insight into the current condition of the home and make an informed decision. If you have any questions or would like more information about home inspections, please feel free to contact David Garrido at Pro-Elements Home Inspection. You can reach him at (305) 767-7623 or email him at Dgarrido@proelementshomeinspection.com.
Comments