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What is a Home Inspection? A home inspection is a professional, objective, visual examination of the condition of a home. Home buyers now entering the marketplace view inspections as a way to gain valuable information about the biggest purchase of their lifetime. It helps them to determine whether there are any major defects or system inadequacies at the time of purchase. In most cases, home inspections are performed after
a sales contract, conditional upon a satisfactory home inspection, has been
accepted by the seller. The inspection can usually be arranged immediately
to within a few days. The home buyer is typically encouraged to attend the
inspection, so that he/she can see first hand the workings of the home. It
also represents an excellent opportunity for the prospective buyer to ask
questions about the home or to discuss potential changes. The home inspector's service to the purchaser is
primarily one of education. The goal of the inspector is to provide the purchaser
with a better understanding of the physical condition of the home in order
that they can make a well-informed decision. It is also the inspector's role
to keep his findings in perspective for the buyer. After the inspection is
completed, a written report should be prepared for the home buyer, documenting
the results of the inspection, along with an estimation of repair time frames
and costs. A complete home inspection should cover all of the
major systems of a house, including structure, exterior, roofing, electrical,
heating, cooling, insulation, plumbing and interior. As a minimum, an inspection
should meet the Standards of Practice of the National Association
of Certified Home Inspectors® (NACHI®). |
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