Home Inspections

Although not required as part of the homebuying preocess, home inspections are highly recommended. Home inspections will provide buyers with the knowledge to make a well-informed decision and peace of mind during the sometimes hectic process of purchasing a home.

Home inspections are typically arranged and paid for by the buyer, and must be conducted within a 10-12 day window after the purchase and sales agreement has been signed. Depending on the size of the home, inspections can last 2 to 3 hours and buyers are encouraged to attend. Home inspectors will visually examine all accessible areas of a home and the buyers will be given a report of the inspector's findings and recommendations.

Fees for home inspection vary. Select a reputable company that has experienced, professional home inspectors, has comprehensive Errors & Omissions Insurance and is affiliated with the top national home inspection associations, such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).

What Your Home Inspection Should Cover

• Siding: Look for dents or buckling
  
• Foundations: Look for cracks or water seepage
  
• Exterior Brick: Look for cracked bricks or mortar pulling away from bricks
  
• Insulation: Look for condition, adequate rating for climate
  
• Doors and Windows: Look for loose or tight fits, condition of locks, condition of
  weatherstripping
  
• Roof: Look for age, conditions of flashing, pooling water, buckled shingles, or loose
  gutters and downspouts
  
• Ceilings, walls, and moldings: Look for loose pieces, drywall that is pulling away
  
• Porch/Deck: Loose railings or step, rot
  
• Electrical: Look for condition of fuse box/circuit breakers, number of outlets in each
  room
  
• Plumbing: Look for poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots or corrosion that
  indicate leaks, sufficient insulation
  
• Water Heater: Look for age, size adequate for house, speed of recovery, energy rating
  
• Furnace/Air Conditioning: Look for age, energy rating; Furnaces are rated by annual fuel
  utilization efficiency; the higher the rating, the lower your fuel costs. However, other
  factors such as payback period and other operating costs, such as electricity to operate
  motors.
  
• Garage: Look for exterior in good repair; condition of floor—cracks, stains, etc.;
  condition of door mechanism
  
• Basement: Look for water leakage, musty smell
  
• Attic: Look for adequate ventilation, water leaks from roof
  
• Septic Tanks (if applicable): Adequate absorption field capacity for the percolation rate in
  your area and the size of your family
  
• Driveways/Sidewalks: Look for cracks, heaving pavement, crumbling near edges, stains
  

Reprinted with permission of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®