Home Inspection: ?How those words can cause dread in the seller, the buyer and the agents.

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For potential homebuyers, a real estate inspection means the house they have searched for and recently fallen in love could be plagued with expensive conditions to reconsider or renegotiate.

For home sellers, an inspection might mean finding problem areas that result in a price reduction or a laundry list of items to be negotiated or repaired before a closing can take place.

But for both buyers and sellers, it doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience. ?There’s a large misconception out there that home inspectors are here to kill a deal or ruin a sale, but that’s not what we’re about,? says U.S. Inspect, a national home inspection company. ?Our job is to help a sale go through so everyone understands what they’re getting. The buyer is our client so obviously we’re there to help them, but we’re not the enemy.?

It helps if both the buyer and the seller know what to expect.

For the buyer, a home inspection is designed to, let people know what they’re getting into. ?A home inspection is a detailed analysis of the condition of a house and each of its operating systems. The list includes structural elements — foundation, walls, support beams, chimney, roof — and systems including heat, plumbing, electrical and air-conditioning.

A home inspection is to help the buyer make an informed decision and determine whether there are any major conditions they weren’t aware of before they purchase the house. Buyers have the opportunity to learn about the different systems in the house, and they learn what to expect based on the age and condition of things.

Home inspectors provide a lot of education….how systems function, the differences between systems, life expectancy and how much life they have left on them.

Some other helpful tips about your home inspection:

  • An average home inspection should last about three hours. ?Prices start around $300 but may vary depending on the size and the age of the home.
  • Buyers are always encouraged to follow the home inspector through the home inspection process and ask questions. ?However, when a buyer can not attend the home inspection, you can expect the findings to be presented in an easy-to-read, comprehensive inspection report.
  • Most qualified home inspectors will discover the same major things., Significant items that pertain to safety and major capital expense will be identified in the report.
  • Buyers should not expect their reports to cover more superficial conditions, the types that can be fixed with a can of paint or minor repair. ?Home inspectors are looking for items that would impact the safety and structural integrity of the home.
  • The presentation of inspection reports — and the timeframe in which they are delivered — varies considerably. Buyers should ask in advance about what they’re getting to be certain it meets their needs and any desired closing deadline. The most qualified inspectors produce narrative or commentary reports versus the old, handwritten ones that dominated the industry for so long. ?Be sure to ask which kind of report you will be receiving.

Be sure to hire a qualified inspector. ?In Kentucky, inspectors must be licensed by the state and should be experienced in examining houses similar to yours. ?For the latest in changes in state regulations and rules, check with the?National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

For more information, visit our website at www.homemd.com or call us directly at 502-290-3935.