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Home Inspections
Every Purchase and Sales Agreement should include
a Home Inspection to Protect the Buyer
By Mark J. Donovan
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A home inspection should be included as one of the key
contingencies in any purchase and sales agreement of a home. The home
inspection results should be provided to the buyer in writing, and the buyer
should have the rights to terminate the sales agreement if he/she is not
satisfied in any way with the results. Alternatively the buyer can ask the
seller to make the repairs or improvements to the home prior to closing on
the home. A home inspection consists of a number of key elements. |
At the most basic level a home inspector should complete a visual examination
of the property from the foundation to the roof, both from the inside and the
outside of the home. He or she should inspect to confirm that the home is
structurally sound, that all electrical and mechanical items are working
properly, and that there are no pest or hazard material issues. In addition, the
home inspector should be able to confirm that the home is constructed to all
local building codes. Home inspections are very detailed. Consequently you
should expect a home inspector to check every single appliance, electrical
outlet and switch, and door and window to ensure that they are working properly.
They should also carefully examine the home for water issues or damage,
particularly in basements, crawl spaces, and attics. They should also carefully
examine the roof to determine the state of shingles, flashing, and the overall
roof structure integrity.
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In addition to the basic home inspection the home inspector, can perform a
variety of other inspections and tests. These include, but are not necessarily
limited to, water quality tests, lead paint tests, septic system tests, and
radon/air quality tests. Each test comes with an additional price tag. There are also home inspection standards that home inspectors should follow.
Make sure to check with your state’s home inspectors association to understand
what specific tests should be performed on the home you’re considering
purchasing. |
The home inspection test report should clearly indicate the home inspector’s
findings, and whether or not the findings comply with federal, state and local
standards. Any discrepancies, deficiencies, or hazards should be highlighted for
easy review by the buyer. There should also be a concluding narrative of the
home inspectors overall opinion of the state of the property evaluated.
To find a home inspector in your local area check the American Home inspector
Directory, which maintains a national database of home inspectors. Similarly you
can find a home inspector via Renovation Expert’s national database of
contractors and home inspectors. Simply fill out their free form and 3 to 4 home
inspectors in your local area will contact you. There is no charge or obligation
to use this service or any one of the home inspectors.
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