Home Inspections: A Step-By-Step Guide
Why Get a Home Inspection?
A home inspection gives buyers a clearer picture of a home’s condition before finalizing a purchase. While not required, certified home inspection in Fort Worth is highly recommended for the following reasons:
Identify Issues Early On
An inspection identifies existing or potential problems with the home such as:
- Structural defects
- Electrical issues
- HVAC problems
- Plumbing leaks
- Roof damage
Finding these early gives buyers time to ask sellers to repair issues or adjust offers accordingly.
Avoid Costly Surprises
Catching issues beforehand saves buyers from costly surprises down the road. Paying thousands in unforeseen repairs or even legal disputes are risks without an inspection.
Negotiate with Confidence
An inspection report adds credibility when asking sellers for repairs or price adjustments. Buyers gain solid understanding of what needs fixing when negotiating.
For buyers wanting in-depth understanding of a home’s condition, having an inspection is key. Sellers can also benefit from inspections by using reports to make repairs proactively.
Choosing an Inspector
Buyers have hundreds of inspection options to evaluate. To find a reliable home inspector, keep the below qualities in mind:
Licensing
Inspectors should meet state licensing requirements which vary across the U.S. Confirm credentials including completed training, certification, insurance policies, years in business, inspection reports, etc.
Strong References
References from past clients offer credibility. Ask potential inspectors for references and call them. Check online reviews as well. Happy customers indicate an inspector is thorough and helpful.
Membership Associations
Many professional home inspector associations require members to follow ethical guidelines and pass tests to demonstrate knowledge. Look for inspectors belonging to associations like ASHI, InterNACHI, CREIA, etc.
Sample Reports
Ask potential inspectors if they’re willing to provide a sample report. Checking previous reports gives buyers insight into an inspector’s level of detail, formatting, photos provided, overall clarity for buyers, and more.
Doing due diligence on inspectors protects buyers from inadequate inspections. Take time finding one who best meets your needs.
Scheduling the Inspection
Once an inspector is selected, buyers should schedule the inspection as soon as possible once the home is under contract. Buyers generally attend inspections as key decisions happen there.
Informing the Seller
Buyers must inform sellers of the inspection in writing within the timeline outlined in the purchase contract, usually 5-10 days before inspecting. This gives sellers a heads up.
Date and Time
Schedule the inspection through the inspector giving ample time for the inspector to thoroughly evaluate all areas of concern like the roof, attic, electric systems, plumbing, HVAC, appliances etc. Inspections generally last 2-3 hours on average.
Attending the Inspection
Buyers have an open invitation to attend the inspection along with licensed real estate agents involved. Sellers can attend if interested. Extra parties may include home inspectors-in-training, specialists like roofers, or repairmen giving repair estimates. The attendees roster helps the inspection go smoothly.
Buyers should prepare questions beforehand about specific concerns to get the most out of inspectors’ time there. Overall, scheduling inspections thoughtfully leads to productive evaluations.
What’s Inspected
Home inspectors evaluate the physical condition of homes based on visual observations. They aren’t required to break apart walls or dismantle equipment. Areas of focus include:
Structural Integrity
Inspectors examine the foundation, floors, walls, doors, windows, roof for signs of water damage, cracks, shifting, rotting wood, and more which compromise structural integrity.
Electrical Systems
They check electrical panels, wiring, outlets, switches, and fixtures for safety issues like exposed wires, overloaded circuits, improper installations, outdated components which don’t meet code requirements.
Plumbing
In bathrooms and kitchens, inspectors turn on faucets, flush toilets, run showers checking for leaks, adequate water flow and pressure, rust, corrosion and proper venting.
Heating and Air Conditioning Systems
Furnaces, heat pumps and central air units are examined to gauge age, ventilation, temperature output, energy efficiency and common issues.
Other Areas
Additional areas include checking insulation, ventilation, major appliances, fireplaces, ceilings, entryways and overall workmanship of the home.
In summary, inspectors extensively assess the physical condition of the entire home based on limited visual factors.
Inspection Results
Once complete, home inspectors summarize inspection findings into detailed reports for buyers. Typical report sections include:
Overview
A summary of major findings, recommended repairs, estimates, inspector insights, warranty options and more. Photos of issues may be included.
System Details
Individual sections breaking down the condition of structural elements, roofing, electrical, HVAC, insulation, plumbing, appliances etc. Photos show problems areas.
Marginal Issues
Findings not needing immediate repairs but could become problems later on like small leaks, cracked concrete, worn roof shingles etc. are highlighted to keep aware off.
Maintenance Advice
Inspectors share maintenance tips to extend the home’s lifespan like cleaning gutters regularly, servicing the HVAC annually, checking smoke detectors, examining the roof after heavy storms etc.
Registering Complaints
If unhappy with inspection results, buyers must quickly inform inspectors in writing indicating mistakes made, information lacking or areas inspected inadequately. Complaints submitted on time are added to reports.
In the end, buyers rely heavily on inspection reports when deciding next steps. Reports serve as tools when buyers negotiate repairs requests or adjusted offers too.
After the Inspection
Post inspection, buyers choose what to do with findings in reports:
Request Repairs
For concerning issues in reports, buyers submit repair request documents to sellers listing fixes needed before closing. Sellers then accept, decline, or counter requests.
Adjust Offers
Based on repair estimates, buyers may lower offers to balance out-of-pocket costs. Sellers can accept adjusted offers or try negotiating.
Withdraw Offers
For major issues unfixable within buyers’ budgets, they can rescind offers altogether and continue house hunting aware of such problems.
Final Walk-Throughs
Even after sellers complete repairs, buyers should conduct final walk-throughs shortly before closing looking for issues not caught in original inspections. New problems can surface within days.
Having an experienced home inspector is invaluable for buyers during already stressful home buying journeys. Inspections bring peace of mind so buyers don’t inherit expensive hidden issues post purchase. Know the home inside out before signing dotted lines.
