A staggering 86% of buyers said their inspector found at least one problem with the property they evaluated, which shows how crucial home inspections are.
Understanding what happens during an inspection will help you prepare and know what issues to look for. But if you’ve never dealt with one, you likely have no idea what to expect during the process.
Sounds like your situation? Don’t worry, we’ve got the answers you’re searching for. Here’s everything to expect from certified home inspections.
What Is a Home Inspection?
Although you may want to skip to certified home inspection tips, we should discuss what a home inspection is. These are objective assessments of the property’s physical structure and the systems within it, such as electrical and plumbing. But it’s important to note that these evaluations aren’t insurance policies or a guarantee.
Homeowners may also wonder about the cost, which depends on the property’s size and location. The type of home is also a factor because condos or apartments, for example, are cheaper than a free-standing home. On average, expect to pay a few hundred dollars.
Why Home Inspections Are Important
You may want to skip inspections to save time and money, but this couldn’t be further from the truth, especially if you’re buying a property. A simple home inspection can highlight issues with the property that you have overlooked.
For instance, you may not think that the house’s poor ventilation is an issue, yet this can cause major problems, such as mold. If this goes unattended, it can put your family’s health at risk and cost a fortune in damages. It also helps buyers negotiate costs, especially if they notice that the property needs extensive repairs.
We know it can feel daunting, which is why you must read our home inspection preparation guide first.
How to Prepare for a Home Inspection
Before we dive in, it’s important to discuss how to prepare for a home inspection. Although sellers don’t need to be present, you should check that everything is in good working condition.
You could, for example, replace old light bulbs and test smoke or carbon monoxide alarms because these will flag up during a safety inspection. Sellers should declutter their homes and keep all appliances on so inspectors can easily test them. If there have been recent repairs, organize the receipts and give them to the buyer so they know what to expect.
Additionally, homeowners should remove tree branches that extend over the roof as it prevents damage and costly repairs. Don’t forget to trim shrubs and other vegetation to prevent pests and improve the property’s curb appeal, which is crucial during the selling process.
What Inspectors Look For
Sellers may wonder what happens during home inspections, especially if this is their first time. Educating yourself means you will know what to look for. For instance, inspectors will check:
Interior Elements
One area inspectors focus on is the interior elements. Home inspectors will test faucets, showers, and visible pipes to check for leaks. Inspectors should test the water pressure and locate where the main water shutoff valve is for the new owner.
Next, inspectors will pinpoint the electrical system to confirm that it’s running smoothly. The goal is to prevent fire hazards by examining the electrical panel, giving both sellers and buyers peace of mind.
Another important interior element is the property’s heating and cooling system, including ventilation and air conditioning systems. Aside from functionality, on the home health inspection checklist, professionals will test the indoor air quality to check it’s safe for occupants.
Exterior Elements
Once that’s covered, inspectors will then move on to exterior elements, such as the walls. Walls must be structurally sound and have no signs of damage or missing siding.
Home inspectors will check the roof as they are on the lookout for poor installation or signs of damage, such as cracked and loose shingles. The same goes for the property’s foundation, and although it isn’t visible, credible inspectors know the telltale signs of issues, such as cracks.
On the flip side, during the inspection, these professionals will assess the property’s foundation. As it’s not easily visible, the inspector will look for secondary signs of problems like settling and cracks.
Further, sellers are more often choosing healthy home packages to prove that their properties are safe to live in. Credible inspectors will run multiple tests on indoor air quality and look out for mold, so buyers get peace of mind.
What Occurs in the Inspection Process
Most inspections last between two and four hours. During this time, inspectors take notes and photographs of the interior and exterior elements. When they are happy, inspectors will write a report detailing the findings, which is crucial if there are clear issues.
Although it’s not necessary, buyers should attend or at least meet the inspector to ask about the results and see if there are any repairs they could leverage.
Post-Inspection Steps
Once the inspector has completed the assessment, which takes a few days, the buyer can use the results to negotiate an ideal price. Buyers should confide in their real estate agent to determine what should be corrected before closing the deal.
If there are major issues, buyers have the right to ask the seller to cover the costs of repairs. Or, in cases where the inspector finds a significant problem, the buyer could knock down the asking price.
Everything to Know About Certified Home Inspections
Now that you know everything about certified home inspections, the process should run smoothly. Knowing what to expect will help you get the most out of the situation and ensure you’re making the right decision.
At Elite Mold Services Inc., we have extensive experience inspecting properties and searching for signs of mold. Thanks to our meticulous process, buyers will learn whether there are any issues with indoor air quality or mold.
If you’re in the Orlando, FL area and are interested in hiring our services, we’d love to hear from you. Schedule your inspection today.