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A home inspection is supposed to give you peace of mind, but often has the opposite effect. You will be asked to absorb a lot of information in a short time. This often includes a written report, checklist, photographs and what the inspector himself says during the inspection.
  
All this combined with the seller's disclosure and what you notice yourself makes the experience even more overwhelming. What should you do?
Relax. Most of your inspection will be maintenance recommendations and minor imperfections. These are nice to know about. However, the issues that really matter will fall into four categories:
1) Minor conditions - An example of would be hairline linear cracks at the stucco siding.
2) Things that may lead to major (conditions) - Low interior water pressure, requires further evaluation by licensed plumbing contractor.
3) Potential safety hazards - Defective GFCI receptacles.
4) Imminent Hazards (Danger) - Can be fatal (i.e. - gas leaks)
Anything in these categories will be addressed. Often a serious problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect both life and property (especially in categories 2, 3 and 4).
WHO BENEFITS ? THE REPORT IS A USEFUL TOOL!
BUYER - Finds the report useful because it explains the condition of the house regarding durability and serviceability of the systems and components. Some of the items may need repair. The buyer in some instances is directed to have a professional tradesperson evaluate and repair the system or component.
SELLER - Prefers this kind of report because it does not recommend solutions, but identifies conditions/material facts without dictating actions.
REALTOR - (In most cases) Finds the report preferable because it povides - FULL DISCLOSURE - but still does not dictate actions and leaves the negotiating to the buyer and seller through the respective real estate professional.
Don't Fret About Inspections - Whether you are selling though an agent or by owner, the buyers will want a professional inspection of their home. This is actually to you (the seller) an advantage. (If the buyers don't request an inspection, I suggest you insist they have one!). The reason is your liability for an unknown defect. If buyers hire and pay for their own professional inspector to come in and check over the property and he or she does not find anything, it's much harder for that buyer to later come back after the sale and say that there was a defect that makes the property worth less (and demand that you pay to have it fixed, pay damages, or take the property back).
It is important that the home inspector make a professional inspection and consumers to ask questions if things or items about the inspection are not understood especially the written report for the following reasons:
1. If you have found items in your written inspection report that you have failed to understand, call the inspector and ask for a detailed explanation.
2 If you do not find defects listed in your report that your inspector verbally noted during the inspection, call the inspector to further discuss the written report.
3. If you get a conflicting opinion from one of the other parties involved in the transaction, such the agent or seller, ask the inspector for the basis of their opinion.
4. If you get a conflicting opinion from a contractor retained to perform corrective work on a defective system or component noted in the inspector's report, contact the inspector and ask for further explanation. Suggest the inspector speak to the contractor.
5. A home inspection report is not necessarily a "fix it" list for the seller, if something in the report is not to your satisfaction, however, you should discuss the issue with your representatives and the seller. The seller may be under no obligation to correct a problem.
6. If you find that the seller states that a certain item reported as defective or hazardous is not a problem and refuses to negotiate a price adjustment, it is the seller's legal right to refuse to negotiate. Accept the seller's position or look for another house.
7. And finally, if you feel that the inspector performed less than a thorough inspection, call the inspector and share your feelings. If the inspector fails to satisfy your feelings, offer to return the inspector's writen report, sign a legal waiver of action, and ask for your money back.
A home inspection is the best line of defense against the unknown conditions of the purchase of a home. Don't believe in a home without it. A home or house structure and its systems knows more about itself than you do. Want to find out whats wrong with them? Give us a call to find out!
Let the professionals at Eyeball Inspections inspect your house today without delay you won't regret it!
909 563-0461 or 909 652-0507
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