| copyright 2007, Moore Inspection Group dmoore@mooreinspectiongroup.com |
Inspection Services for the Home Buyer:
What Really Matters
Buying a home? The process can be stressful. 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, environmental reports, 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, life expectancies and minor imperfections.
These are nice to know about. However, the issues that really
matter will fall into four categories:
1. Major defects. An example of this would be a structural
failure.
2. Things that lead to major defects. A small roof-flashing leak,
for example.
3. Things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally
occupy, or insure the home.
4. Safety hazards, such as an exposed, live buss bar at the
electric panel.
Anything in these categories should be addressed. Often a
serious problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect
both life and property (especially in categories 2 and 4).
Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of
defects uncovered during an inspection. Realize that sellers
are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the
report. No home is perfect. Keep things in perspective. Don’t
kill your deal over things that don’t matter. It is inappropriate
to demand that a seller address deferred maintenance,
conditions already listed on the seller’s disclosure, or nit-picky
items.
What Really Matters
Buying a home? The process can be stressful. 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, environmental reports, 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, life expectancies and minor imperfections.
These are nice to know about. However, the issues that really
matter will fall into four categories:
1. Major defects. An example of this would be a structural
failure.
2. Things that lead to major defects. A small roof-flashing leak,
for example.
3. Things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally
occupy, or insure the home.
4. Safety hazards, such as an exposed, live buss bar at the
electric panel.
Anything in these categories should be addressed. Often a
serious problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect
both life and property (especially in categories 2 and 4).
Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of
defects uncovered during an inspection. Realize that sellers
are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the
report. No home is perfect. Keep things in perspective. Don’t
kill your deal over things that don’t matter. It is inappropriate
to demand that a seller address deferred maintenance,
conditions already listed on the seller’s disclosure, or nit-picky
items.
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Moore Inspection Group
Residential and Commercial Real Estate Inspections
Residential and Commercial Real Estate Inspections
What Can the Buyer
Expect?
A home inspection is an
objective non-invasive visual
analysis of a home’s structure
and systems as they exist at
the time of the inspection.
The report will review the
condition of the various
systems of the home from the
roof to the foundation. My
reports are detailed and
include photographs to
illustrate current conditions.
I will meet with the client at
the conclusion of the
inspection to discuss my
findings.
A home inspection is not
protection against future
failures; it is not a code
inspection; it is not an
appraisal and it is not a
warranty.
All homes have problems.
Solutions can vary from a
simple fix to a more complex
remedy. Having a home
inspection allows the problem
to be addressed before the
sale closes.
Expect?
A home inspection is an
objective non-invasive visual
analysis of a home’s structure
and systems as they exist at
the time of the inspection.
The report will review the
condition of the various
systems of the home from the
roof to the foundation. My
reports are detailed and
include photographs to
illustrate current conditions.
I will meet with the client at
the conclusion of the
inspection to discuss my
findings.
A home inspection is not
protection against future
failures; it is not a code
inspection; it is not an
appraisal and it is not a
warranty.
All homes have problems.
Solutions can vary from a
simple fix to a more complex
remedy. Having a home
inspection allows the problem
to be addressed before the
sale closes.