What happens during the inspection process?

Home buyers often hire inspectors to check the integrity of a building’s structure, mechanical systems and other physical components. An inspector home will usually look at the roof, plumbing, electrical and heating/cooling systems, major appliances, floor surfaces and paint, windows and doors, foundation, and pest infestations. Inspectors will also examine the land around a house, including grading, drainage, retaining walls and plants that might affect the property.

The home inspection is a big step in the process of purchasing real estate, and it can be very stressful, especially if a potential problem is discovered. It’s easy to get caught up in the negative aspects of the home and overlook the fact that most issues are relatively minor. Having an objective professional go through the house and report their findings can help put things into perspective and make it easier to decide whether or not to buy the home.

Inspectors aren’t engineers, plumbers or contractors and can’t guarantee a home is sound. However, it is a good idea for potential buyers to find an inspector that has an accredited affiliation with a professional organization, such as the National Institute of Building Inspectors or the American Society of Home Inspectors. Membership in these organizations requires continuing education and error and omission insurance.

Some of the more serious issues that home inspectors can uncover include wood-boring insects in the structure, lead in the water supply, asbestos-based insulation and radon gas in the house. Home buyers should always ask the seller to perform a radon test, and should ask about lead-based paint in older homes.

Once the inspector completes their work, they will send a written report to the potential buyer. This report will include a list of the problems that the inspector found and will be accompanied by photos. It can be very intimidating for a potential buyer to read through the entire report, but it is important that they do so to understand what they are getting into.

It’s also a good idea for a potential buyer to tag along with the inspector during the home inspection. This will give them an opportunity to ask questions, and to see the inspector in action, interacting with the property. Tonini says she has done this in many cases and will even do her inspections on the weekend, just to ensure that her clients can attend.

If the inspector finds a serious issue, such as an unstable foundation or a roof that is about to leak, the buyer can request that the seller reduce the purchase price or provide a credit on the purchase to cover some or all of the repair costs. If the problem is serious enough, the buyer may choose to walk away from the deal altogether. However, most problems are relatively minor and can be addressed by a qualified contractor after the sale is complete.