Home inspection provides buyer with peace of mind

Buying a home involves a series of critical decisions. Even when buying a newly constructed home, the additional peace of mind that a professional home inspection offers is invaluable.

The inspector’s role

A good home inspector will help with the sale of a home. The inspector’s mission is to educate clients – in most cases, buyers – about the condition of the home. Inspectors cover everything from the roof to the foundation and everything in between.

A home inspector not only identifies current problems and safety concerns, but also will help the buyer to prepare for future repairs. This “ounce of prevention” is provided by identifying components that are showing wear and/or recommending ways to extend the useful life of the systems and features in the home.

You can expect the inspection to take two and a half to three hours. Conditions permitting, the inspector will walk the roof to examine the shingles, chimney and vents. If there is a crawl space, the inspector will evaluate areas that are safely accessible. In addition to the structure, all of the major systems inside the house will be reviewed, including heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing. If an area of concern is noted during the inspection, the next step may be to gather estimates for the cost of repair or replacement.

After the home inspection the client will receive a report. It is always recommended that the client be there for the inspection, as this will allow for an ongoing conversation about the home. Otherwise, videotaped inspections for out-of-town clients can provide a visual record of the home’s condition. Also, by using a small handheld computer and portable printers, reports can be submitted on-site. This method works extremely well for clients, since it gives the ability to e-mail the report to required parties.

Home inspectors never “pass” or “fail” a home. They are there to provide information. Inspectors look at houses with objective eyes and what is reported on would be the same no matter the client. A good inspector does not advise a client about what they should or shouldn’t ask to have replaced or fixed on a home. This point cannot be understated. An inspector is not privy to the particulars of the sale. The inspector does not know the price that is negotiated, if a second offer is on the table, or the abilities and desires of clients to fix things on their own. To decide the best way to proceed, clients should take the inspection report and information provided by the inspector and meet with their Realtor, lawyer or other representative.

Qualifications

A home buyer can look at several issues to determine whether a home inspector is qualified.

• Professional organizations: Look for inspectors that belong to organizations that promote professionalism in the industry. The American Society of Home Inspectors is the largest and most respected organization in the country. A good place to start looking for an inspector is at www.ashi.org.

• Errors and omissions insurance: Look for inspectors that carry errors and omissions insurance. Such insurance is difficult to acquire and expensive to purchase; it may serve as an indication of the professionalism of the inspector.

Buying a home without an inspection can be equated with buying a company without looking at the financial statements. It is always best to schedule an inspection as soon as the offer is accepted. If the home market changes to a buyers’ market, aggressive sellers may start hiring inspectors as the homes are listed. This will give them the chance to handle any issues before they have a chance to become problems.

Steve Mirowski is the owner of Mirowski Home Inspections LLC, which relocated to Springfield from Wisconsin.