When making the largest purchase you will probably ever make in your lifetime by purchasing a home, it is very smart to know as much about the home you are about to buy as possible. This is why a home inspection is so important in the home buying process.
When the inspector walks through the property to assess its current condition, they will make notes of their findings and then deliver a formal report of the results to both parties in the sale transaction.
What is in the Inspection Report?
The inspection report is a thorough document stating a wide range of findings on the conditions of specific areas in the home. All of the things the inspector is required to look at and what they see as the current condition of those items will be in the report. Every inspector decides on just how much info they will inspect and provide in the report, but they do have a minimum as required by the state they operate in that they must inspect.
These things include:
- Exterior: the siding, eaves, soffits, doors, windows, the driveway, stairs, decking, drainage, and retaining walls are all looked at
- Roof: the overall condition of shingles, the chimney, gutters, and any skylights
- Basement: if the home has a basement the foundation and structural integrity will be checked down there
- Attic/Crawlspaces: including the insulation and ventilation
- Ventilation: in areas like the bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry room
- Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing systems
- Interior: doors, windows, landings, stairs
- Fireplaces
- Garage door(s)
Some home inspectors choose to look over more things than what are listed above depending upon what the state requires of them and/or the level of service they wish to provide customers.
What to Look For
One of the major things to look for in an inspection report is water intrusion. This usually occurs in the basement, plumbing system, and roof. Water not only causes major damage it can bring about mold growth which causes health issues. Evidence of past damage or damage that can occur in the future should be taken into consideration.
Really the entire report should be read carefully to get the inspector’s full insight on the condition of the home. Ideally, a home buyer should walk through the home with the inspector to get real-time insights into the home. Good and experienced inspectors will comment on what they are seeing and if it is good or bad. They will make note of the safety issues and will also point out cosmetic concerns that should not be a sale breaker, but are just something to be aware of.
Negotiating Major Repairs
If there is something you are concerned about in the report is it a good idea to ask your realtor and to contact your inspector. They can help to clarify the issue and tell you what they might do in the situation if it was their home. If there are major issues that will cost a large sum to fix or alter the livable safety of the home these things should be discussed with the home owner. A real estate agent can help guide this process between the two parties and help you to decide if you ask the owner to fix the issue or take a lower price on the home to allow for the cost of repairs the new owner will need to make.
Many times if a home buyer walks through the home with the inspector they do not read through the report. It is always a good idea to read the inspection report even if you were present at the actual inspection and know as much as you can about the condition of the home you are going to buy.
For buyer and seller home inspections in the Champaign area please contact us anytime.
To hire an inspector in Champaign to help locate water damage and other issues in homes for sale please contact us any time. If you are looking for a reputable home inspector in Champaign or surrounding areas? Do you need a reputable home inspector in Champaign? Please contact us anytime we are highly trained and knowledgeable and will give you the best insight into your potential home purchase.