Home Inspection

What is a home inspection?
The home inspection is a visual examination of the physical structure, major components, and the mechanical systems of a home. 
The inspector is an experienced, neutral, third party, who offers a reasonable and unbiased opinion disclosing the existing conditions at the time of examination.

Why have a home inspection?
The purchase of a home is the single largest investment people ever make.  The primary purpose of the inspection is to inform the buyer of any readily visible major defects in the mechanical and structural components, and to disclose any significant health or safety issues.

What is Inspected?
Your inspector will check the foundation, doors, windows, roof, vents, fans, gutters, plumbing, electrical systems, heating, cooling, ceilings, walls, floors, insulation, ventilation, exterior, basement and attic. When the inspector is done, he will issue a report.  There may be some problems with the house - and they may be major problems or minor problems.

Dealing with Problems
The reason for the report is not to provide you with a laundry list of items for the seller to repair. The purpose is to provide you with information that you may have overlooked so you can make a final decision to move forward and close the deal or not. If you do discover a problem that is so troublesome you would consider backing out, it makes sense to give the seller a chance to repair it.
Always set deadlines if you negotiate a repair.  Put everything in writing with the appropriate initials, signatures, and dates.