Home Inspections

If you live in one of the cheaper real estate markets in the country and are thinking about buying a home then you are fortunate compared to other areas where prices are high. But that affordable home can become pretty darn unaffordable in a hurry when a major flaw is discovered. Things like cracked foundations, leaking roofs, malfunctioning water heaters and so on can cost thousands to repair or replace. Having a home inspection done prior to close can save you this expense.

But what types of problems can be gleaned from a home inspection report? Few buyers understand the intricacies of home construction. Fewer still understand the basic componentry. For this reason buyers may often have a hard time interpreting the information provided in a home inspection report. It's often as hard to know what constitutes a properly performed inspection as it is knowing what defects are serious enough to warrant concern.

The widely held belief that home inspectors are certified by HUD is simply not true. What's more, under HUD/FHA guidelines a home inspection is not required for FHA mortgage insurance. HUD simply requires that lenders provide buyers with a copy of a HUD pamphlet entitled, "For Your Protection, Get a Home Inspection". The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) sets certain standards for home inspections. Since the certification and/or licensing requirements for home inspector can vary on a state-by-state basis it is probably a good idea to go with an NACHI-certified inspector. It is also worth noting that home inspectors in many states are not required to be licensed. In certain states, a professional licensing agency will oversee the licensing of home inspectors.

It should also be noted checking for certain to a home's structural or functional integrity requires a license in most states. Examples are formaldehyde, asbestos, organisms known to destroy wood, radon, rodents, etc. Should any of these be a concern with respect to the home you're considering buying then it would be wise to hire an appropriately licensed inspector.

It is the functional and structural parts of a home that are checked for in a typical home inspection. Examples of structural elements include things like roofs, floors, foundations, etc. Things such as drainage, exterior lighting, windows and so on are checked as part of the exterior inspection. Things such as proper ventilation, properly working gutters and sound roof trusses will be checked as part of the roof inspection. Things such as plumbing, water heaters, fireplaces, AC units, etc. are good examples of functional systems. Checking the working order of appliances like stoves, dishwashers and so on is also important.

The purpose of a home inspection is to determine whether or not any significant threats exist which would have negative implications for the health and safety of the occupants or the overall integrity of the home. A leaky or dilapidated roof, a cracked slab or even a faulty air conditioning unit are all examples of significant problems.

Should a serious defect be discovered it would be wise to use a contractor of your own choosing to make the repair since any contractor chosen by the seller will likely have been selected on the basis of price alone. And we all know that you get what you pay for when it comes to contract work.

Since there's no such thing as a perfect construction process, component or material there can also be no such thing as a perfect home. Many small defects, such as chipped paint, spotted carpet, etc. will likely already be factored into the purchase price. Significant problems represent a significant cost. As such, it is these problems with which you should be concerned.

On closing, having a qualified inspector perform a thorough home inspection is the best way to know the true condition of a home you are thinking of buying. Knowing what problems exist beforehand can save literally thousands of dollars. Don't forget that the cost of owning anything is not determined solely by the acquisition price. Maintaining a home is analogous to maintaining your body if proper function and structure are to be ensured.