Why You Need a Home Inspection.

A home inspection is an all-encompassing examination of the condition of a residence.   The home inspection process is often but not always performed at the time of the sale of a house. A home is one of the most significant purchases someone will make.  A home inspection is an inexpensive way to discover the general condition of a home.  It is important to conduct a home inspection to avoid the costly mistake of purchasing a property in need of major repairs.  Even if you think you have found a “dream home,” it is a home inspector’s responsibility to let you know that your “dream home” may not be just right.

A certified home inspector is a professional who will conduct an inspection of the general condition of the home.  A good home inspection will assist a buyer in understanding exactly what they are about to purchase.  A home may look ready to live in, but an inspector will cover features of the house such as electrical wiring, plumbing, roofing, insulation, as well as structural features of the home and may unveil issues that are not noticeable to the buyer’s eye.  As a purchaser, you are making a large investment, and it is important to understand exactly what you are purchasing.  Having a certified home inspector conduct, a thorough inspection of the prospective property could be compared to taking out an insurance policy against all potential operating costs.

Standard Systems Inspected.

Your certified home inspector will inspect the structure, exterior, roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, interior, insulation, and ventilation.  Once the inspection is completed, you will be provided with a report suggesting any improvements or repairs deemed necessary to bring the home up to current standards.  Home inspections may often reveal problems with a home that could be pricey to fix.  This could be used as a great tool in purchasing negotiations with the seller.  As the buyer, you may be able to negotiate the price dependant on what the inspector has found.

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EXTERIOR

Inspect condition of exterior walls and coverings, eaves, soffits, fascia, stairs, chimney, electric service entry, exterior doors, exterior AC / Heat pump components and trim.

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FOUNDATION

Inspect condition of slabs, crawl spaces, basements, and grade.

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ROOF

Inspect condition of roofing materials, flashings, skylights, drainage, ventilation system, sky lights, plumbing vents, and gutters.

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PLUMBING

Check water pressure and flow, supply lines, fuel and water supply shut off locations, waste lines, fuel systems, water heaters, water softeners, and reverse osmosis systems.

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KITCHEN

Inspect condition of sink and plumbing, disposal, oven/range, dishwasher, counters, and cabinets.

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HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING

Identify type and location, test to be sure system is operating as it should, flue, filters, fuel distribution, amperage of compressor vs. breaker in panel rating,

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ELECTRICAL

Inspect main panel and test outlets and switches to be sure system is operating properly, check all GFCI / AFCI breakers, inspect for branch wiring deficiencies.

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INTERIOR

Inspect condition of all doors, windows, screens, walls, floors, ceilings, fireplaces and attics.

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BATHROOMS

Inspect condition of sink and plumbing, toilet, tub and shower fixtures.

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GARAGE

Inspect condition of doors, vehicle doors, automatic openers, walls, floors, electrical and ceiling.

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POOL/SPA

Inspect all pumps, heaters, filtering systems, electrical, and barrier fencing. (extra inspection fee)

Suggestions & Tips.

The Home Buying & Selling Process

  • Once you have an offer on your home for sale, and typically in escrow, it all may be contingent on a successful home inspection.
  • The home inspection is a contingency written into most offers, meaning that if the buyers aren’t happy with the result, they can cancel the sale without losing their earnest money deposit, or reopen negotiations and ask for a price reduction.
  • So it’s important to prepare yourself and your home for this important step of the process.

Your home inspection will let you know everything that’s wrong with your home. Equipped with that information, you may choose to fix problems, adjust the price to reflect necessary repairs, or simply have a ready response when the issue comes up again.

Home Inspection Preperation

  • Please make sure that the electricity is on and all areas of the residence are easily accessible.
  • Make sure you do not turn off any gas appliances prior to the inspection.
  • Please make sure your beloved pets are securely put away.
  • Check all areas of the home for working electric and plumbing fixtures.

Take a look at some of the common issues we identify during our inspection.

Request an Inspection

During the Home Inspection

  • If at all possible, it is recommended to attend your home inspection process.
  • A home inspection could take anywhere from 2-5 hours, again, depending on the size and age of the home.
  • It is not an inspector’s responsibility to correct or repair any potential issues found in the home.

Please take a look at the Arizona Standards of Professional Practice which details the systems to be looked at during the inspection.

After the Home Inspection

  • A home inspection can give both buyers and sellers peace of mind.
  • For buyers, an inspection report can also become a negotiation tool in closing and could inform the buyer of potential future maintenance and upkeep.
  • For sellers, an inspection report can help you in setting a price and with correcting any issues in the home before it is put on the market.

See one of our sample electronic Home Inspection Reports.

Have A Home Inspection Question?

We get many questions about the home inspection process, findings, and solutions to problems. Simply send us a question below and we’ll get an answer to your question today!