What is a Home Inspection?

So you’ve hired a real estate agent, you found the perfect house, and you successful outbid all the other prospective homebuyers on this house. Congratulations! However, the process is far from over and there are several areas that still need to be addressed before you close on the property. Most importantly, you need to schedule a home inspection. Home inspections are the single most important aspect of buying a home and should be taken very seriously. The majority of first time homebuyers are not familiar with the home inspection process. This article discusses inspections in great detail and attempts to answer any questions that you may have.

What is a home inspection, you may ask? A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems associated with the house to see if everything is in working order. This is done from the roof to the foundation. The home inspection report will include his opinion on the current condition of the home’s central air conditioning system, heating system, roof, attic, plumbing and electrical, ceilings, floors, doors, and windows. The substructure components such as the foundation, crawlspace, and basement are also included.

Being that buying a home is the largest investment you’ll ever make, it is absolutely necessary to get a home inspection scheduled. You want to learn as much about the property before you sign on the dotted line. The home inspector will include a list of needs and recommended repairs that the seller has the option of fixing. You’ll learn a great deal about the structure from the home inspection, which will give you confidence and allow you to make a smart decision in buying the home. As a seller, a home inspection prior to listing your home is also a smart thing to do so that you can go ahead and fix whatever repairs are necessary before your home goes under contract.