From Realty Times-
Five Things You Should Know About Home Inspections.
Written by Blanche Evans.
If
you're hiring someone to inspect the home you want to buy, or you're a seller
trying to find out if there are any hidden problems that need fixing before you
put your home on the market, here are five things you need to know:
1.
You can choose your home inspector.
Your
real estate professional can recommend an inspector, or you can find one on
your own. Members of the National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. (NAHI),
must complete an approved home inspector training program, demonstrate
experience and competence as a home inspector, complete a written exam, and
adhere to the NAHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
2.
Home inspections are intended to point out adverse conditions, not cosmetic
flaws.
You
should attend the inspection and follow the inspector throughout the inspection
so you can learn what's important and what's not. No house is perfect and an
inspection on any home is bound to uncover faults. A home inspector will point
out conditions that need repair and/or potential safety-related concerns
relating to the home. They won't comment on cosmetic items if they don't impair
the integrity of the home. They also do not do destructive testing.
3.
Home inspection reports include only the basics.
A
home inspector considers hundreds of items during an average inspection. The
home inspection should include the home's exterior, steps, porches, decks,
chimneys, roof, windows, and doors. Inside, they will look at attics,
electrical components, plumbing, central heating and air conditioning,
basement/crawlspaces, and garages.
They
report on the working order of items such as faucets to see if they leak, or
garage doors to see if they close properly. Inspectors may point out termite
damage and suggest that you get a separate pest inspection. The final written
report should be concise and easy to understand.
4.
Home inspectors work for the party who is paying the fee.
The
NAHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics clearly state that members act as
an unbiased third party to the real estate transaction and "will discharge
the Inspector's duties with integrity and fidelity to the client." A
reputable home inspector will not conduct a home inspection or prepare a home
inspection report if his or her fee is contingent on untruthful conclusions.
The
inspector should maintain client confidentiality and keep all report findings
private, unless required by court order. That means it is your choice whether
or not to share the report with others. If you're a seller, you don't have to
disclose the report to buyers, but you must disclose any failure in the systems
or integrity of your home.
5.
Inspectors are not responsible for the condition of the home.
Inspectors
don't go behind walls or under flooring, so it's possible that a serious
problem can be overlooked. Keep in mind that inspectors are not party to the
sales transaction, so if you buy a home where an expensive problem surfaces
after the sale, you won't be able to make the inspector liable or get the
inspector to pay for the damage. In fact, you may not be entitled to any
compensation beyond the cost of the inspection.
As
a buyer, you need the home inspection to decide if the home is in condition
that you can tolerate. You can use the report to show the seller the need for a
certain repair or negotiate a better price. You can also take the report to a
contractor and use it to make repairs or to remodel a section of the home.
One
thing you should not do when buying a home is skip having the home inspected
because of cost or undue pressure by the seller. A home inspection is
reasonable, it can save you money in the long run, and it's required by many
lenders, particularly for FHA loans. There's a reason why buyers should beware,
and a home inspection gives you the information you need to make a sound buying
decision.
Read the
article.
For your next commercial real estate transaction, house purchase, mortgage refinance, reverse mortgage, or home equity loan, contact us. We can help. Located in Fairfield, NJ, we are the title insurance agent that does it all for you.
For your next title order or
if you have questions about what you see here, contact
Stephen M. Flatow, Esq.
Vested Land Services LLC
165 Passaic Avenue, Suite 101
Fairfield, NJ 07004
Tel 973-808-6130 - Fax 973-227-0645
E-mail sflatow AT vested.com
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