THE PURPOSE OF A HOME INSPECTION

THE PURPOSE OF A HOME INSPECTION

Generally the purpose of the Home Inspection is to allow a Qualified Building Professional to examine the property in detail and to identify any risk to be incurred financially or structurally by the purchaser or lenders. A home inspection report will be issued on completion. The basis of the findings and subsequent report will determine if the sale will be re-negotiated or succeed with conditions. If a Home Inspection is not carried out, the buyer in most cases assumes all risk. The common Latin phrase is “Caveat Emptor” meaning “Let the Buyer Beware”

Many people are unaware that the Home Inspection industry in California and many states is currently unlicensed and unregulated.

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) www.ashi.org regulates its own home inspection industry by requiring all home inspectors who wish to become members obtain a minimum inspection experience of 250 inspections. These inspections reports are examined and graded to ensure the Professional Practices and Code of Ethics are maintained. When ASHI is satisfied with the inspector’s competence, the inspector is then required to take and pass a home inspection exam. The home inspection exam is designed to test the knowledge and experience of the construction industry together with construction fault diagnosis and remedies. Becoming a member demonstrates to the Real Estate Industry the inspector’s level of professionalism.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

• Always get a home inspection.
• Always get the home inspection ASAP after entering a contract on a property. A home inspection carried outside the time period allowed for home inspection within he contract may not allow a cancelation of a contract.
• Check with your local state for the requirements for licensure for home inspectors and home inspections.
• Always ensure your Realtor has a local knowledge and experience of the area you are purchasing your property. Always ask if there has been a previous home inspection carried out on the property and if so request a copy of the home inspection report from the seller.
• Identify from your Realtor if your potential property has sustained any damage. This should be detailed in the seller’s disclosures.
• Always check with a Professional Organization for recommended home inspectors.
• Never use an unqualified, unlicensed (depending on state requirements) or uninsured inspector.
• If a Home Inspection is not carried out the buyer generally assumes all risk.
• To ensure you have a professional home inspection it is advisable to check that your home inspector is accredited to a professional home inspection association. A common Standard of Practice and Code of Ethics exist with professional home inspection associations to ensure the high level of competence is achieved within the industry protecting the buyers.
• Always review the home inspection report for any defects noted.
• Never rely on a previous home inspection report that you have not ordered.
• Always be present during the home inspection.
• Make sure the home inspector includes photographs in the home inspection repot.
• Make sure the home inspection report covers all areas of the property that can be accessed.
• Review the home inspection agreement prior to the home inspection to identify any liability waiver clauses.
• Check the home inspection agreement to see if it covers other inspection such as Mold , Lead Paint etc
• Check the home inspection agreement to identify any home inspection warranties.
• Ask the home inspection company for a copy of a previous home inspection report or a sample home inspection report to review prior to the home inspection.
• If the home inspection identifies defects that are rectified by the seller arrange for the home inspection to carryout another home inspection to close out any issues raised on the original home inspection report.