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What's Included in a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive visual examination of a residential property and its installed components. Its primary purpose is to identify significant defects, safety hazards, and areas requiring repair or maintenance that might not be readily apparent to an untrained eye. 

Here's a breakdown of what that means:

• Limited and Non-Invasive: Inspectors don't open up walls, dismantle systems, or move heavy furniture. They focus on readily accessible areas and visible components. This means they can't see everything, and there might be hidden issues they can't detect.

• Visual Examination: The inspection is based on what the inspector can see and observe at the time of the inspection. They'll use their experience and knowledge to look for clues of underlying problems.

• Professional Expertise: Home inspectors have specific training and certifications to understand how various home systems work and to recognize signs of wear, damage, or improper installation.

• Key Systems and Components: A comprehensive home inspection typically covers:

  • Structural components: Foundation, framing, walls, ceilings, floors.

  • Exterior: Roof, siding, windows, doors, chimneys, grading, drainage, driveways, walkways, decks.

  • Interior: Walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, fireplaces, major built-in appliances.

  • Electrical system: Main service panel, wiring (visible), outlets, switches, light fixtures.

  • Plumbing system: Visible pipes, fixtures, water heater, drainage.

  • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning): Furnaces, air conditioners, ductwork, thermostats.

  • Attic and Basement/Crawl Space: Insulation, ventilation, signs of moisture or pests.

  • Safety features: Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, GFCI outlets.

The main goals of a home inspection are to:

1. Educate the Buyer: Provide the buyer with a clear and objective understanding of the home's current condition. This empowers them to make an informed decision about the purchase.

2. Identify Issues: Uncover potential safety concerns, costly repairs, or maintenance needs that could impact the home's value or the buyer's long-term expenses.

3. Provide Negotiation Leverage: The inspection report can serve as a basis for the buyer to negotiate with the seller for repairs, credits, or a reduction in the purchase price.

4. Allow for Contingency: Most purchase agreements include an inspection contingency, allowing the buyer to back out of the deal without penalty if the inspection reveals unsatisfactory conditions.

5. Inform Future Maintenance: The report often highlights areas that will require future attention, helping the new homeowner plan for ongoing maintenance.

It's important to remember that a home inspection is not an appraisal (which determines market value), a code compliance inspection (though violations may be noted), or a guarantee of future performance. It's a snapshot in time to assess the overall health and safety of the property.

We partner with local companies such as Pest Pros and Exact Pest to conduct your pest inspection.  The benefit of this is that not only can these companies provide you with a pest inspection report, but also - should they find any signs of infestation - they can provide you with a quote for the proper treatment as they are state licensed to do so. 

What is Radon?

Radon is a colorless, odorless, naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock.  It typically enters the home from the soil that the house is built upon, working its way into the lowest level of the home through cracks in the foundation and floor.

Is There Any Good News?

Yes! The good news concerning radon gas is that radon mitigation systems can be installed in most homes to lower radon levels for an average cost of about $1,000.  The other good news is that unlike other dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide, radon gas requires prolonged exposure for it to be a serious health risk.  This means there is no immediate danger, you have time to save up for the installation of this system and compare estimates from a handful of contractors.