Are you selling your home and your buyer wants the home inspected?  Are you a buyer and you want to know everything there is to know about this home you want to buy?  What happens now?  Your Realtor will inform sellers that their buyers will have an independent evaluation by a qualified and certified inspector.  In the same, Realtors will recommend to their buyers to have an inspection completed so that they will know the homes condition prior to taking possession.  So what is a home inspection?

What is a home inspection?

A home inspection is a report on the overall condition of a home.  The home inspector is hired by the buyer and gives details about the homes structure, foundation, electrical, plumbing and that the major components are in working order.  Getting a home inspection is very important because it helps the buyer know if a home may need costly repairs.  Real estate contracts provide contingency clauses that allow buyers to inspect the property physically, at the buyers expense.  This inspection provides a comprehensive review of the infrastructure of the property.The home inspection company will provide a written report, with recommendations, for repair or further inspection by a specialist. Home inspections generally range from $150-$300, depending on the size of the home and are paid for by the buyer.

Each home is unique, so what specifically is inspected in a home is different.  The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) recommends that its certified home inspectors thoroughly inspect these areas:

• Attic – including insulation condition
• Basement or crawlspace
• General condition of:
• Foundation
• Heating and cooling systems
• Interior and exterior electrical systems, including wiring
• Plumbing systems
• Roofing
• Interior and Exterior structure

There are areas which a home inspector will not include but there are other specialized inspectors that can review these areas in detail.  These areas include sheds, barns, chimney, interior wall spaces, septic tank, water testing, and well pumps.

In Arizona, a structural pest control inspection is also recommended to be included with a home inspection.  The purpose of a structural pest inspection is to determine the existence of any active infestation by wood destroying organisms (aka: termites).  This is a separate report performed by a pest control company certified in termite inspections and will reflect items that need immediate attention due to an active infestation.  The lender will usually require that the work be performed prior to funding the loan.  The report also includes items found that may cause infestation (i.e. storing wood close to the house) that if not corrected may cause damage. 

Other inspections that are common include: water conservation, heating and AC, structural engineering, zoning and energy audits.  

Having a home inspection will give a buyer the confidence need to make the home purchase.  It also benefits the seller in that it gives an independent review of the major components of the home.  With the inspections, it gives buyers and sellers the opportunity to negotiate repairs as part of the sale or how to budget the repairs after the close of escrow.