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Frequently Asked Questions | |||||
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Below are some commonly asked questions that Realtors have about home inspections. Just click on the question to see a detailed answer. And if you don't see the answer you want, help is just a phone call away at 770 988-9929. 1. WHAT IS A HOME INSPECTION? A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a home, from the roof to the foundation. Having a home inspection is like giving it a physical. If problems or symptoms are found, the inspector may recommend further evaluation.
2. WHAT DOES A HOME INSPECTION INCLUDE? House Smart’s standard inspection reports review the condition of the home’s heating system, central air conditioning system, interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, doors and windows; the foundation, basement, and the visible structure of the home. House Smart’s computerized reports include digital photographs of the home’s issues and are given to clients onsite. Our services also include access to our free Extended Advice program. Extended Advice is an email-based program that homebuyers can customize to give them monthly maintenance advice specific to their homes. Homeowners who participate in this free program may also take advantage of expert advice from inspectors for 12 full months after their inspections.
3. WHY DO I NEED A HOME INSPECTION? The purchase of a home is probably the largest single investment you will ever make. As such, you should learn as much as you can about the home before you buy, so that you aren't hit with any unexpected repairs or difficulty after the home is yours. In addition, the home inspection will note positive aspects of the home, as well as maintenance required to keep your home in good shape. The inspection also helps you to get a much better understanding of the property than you could get on your own.
4. DO I NEED TO BE THERE FOR THE INSPECTION? While it is not necessary for you to be at the inspection, House Smart highly recommends that you attend the inspection to get its full benefits. The inspection gives you the chance to ask questions of the inspector directly and to see your home through the inspector's eyes. This will give you a better understanding of the inspection report as well as the property itself.
5. HOW LONG WILL THE INSPECTION TAKE? The time required generally depends on the size of the home. For example, an average 2,500 square foot home will take between 2-3 hours to inspect. Another factor that may affect inspection time is the condition of the home. If the home has a lot of problems, additional time may be required for the inspector to describe those problems and discuss what options the buyer may have to repair those problems.
6. MY HOUSE IS BEING BUILT NEW. WHY SHOULD IT BE INSPECTED? An inspection of a new property is important to help spot any shortcuts the contractor or builder may have taken. A trained home inspector will be able to spot certain telltale signs that might otherwise go unnoticed to an untrained eye. Especially valuable is an inspection before the drywall is put up. This gives the buyer the chance to identify and fix problems when they are much easier to spot and repair. Revealing issues during the framing process that will later be hidden beneath walls can potentially save homebuyers thousands of dollars in repairs.
7. HOW MUCH DOES A HOUSE SMART INSPECTION COST? The cost of a home inspection varies based upon a number of factors, including size, age, special services requested, etc. Typically, the cost is in the range of $295 to $450, although the fees can go higher. However, cost should not be a factor in deciding whether or not a buyer has his or her home inspected. Rather, they should consider the home inspection an investment that will pay for itself many times over.
8. CAN'T I DO THE INSPECTION MYSELF? Even the most savvy do-it-yourselfer will not have the level of training, knowledge and expertise as professional home inspector who has looked at hundreds, or perhaps thousands, of homes in his or her career. An inspector is familiar with the complex elements of home construction understands how the home's systems are intended to function, as well as how and why they fail. Most importantly, the inspector is a disinterested third party that can be totally objective about the condition of the home.
9. WHAT IF THE REPORT REVEALS SOME PROBLEMS? No house is perfect. If there are problems, it doesn't mean that your client shouldn't buy the house. However, if there are major problems, you and your client may want to go back to the seller to either get the problems corrected or to negotiate the contract price to reflect the inspector's findings.
10. CAN A HOUSE FAIL ITS INSPECTION? No. A home inspection is not the same a code inspection. While the inspector will be familiar with the local building codes, his or her objectives are to describe the physical condition of the house and indicate what may need repair or replacement.
To learn more about House Smart and home inspections, click on one of the links to the left. To arrange an inspection, call us at 770 988-9929 or click here to schedule online.
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