What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a visual inspection of the structure and components of a home to find items that are not performing
correctly or items that are unsafe. If a problem or a symptom of a problem is found the home inspector will include a
description of the problem in a written report and may recommend further evaluation.
Why is a home inspection important?
Home Buyers: Emotion often affects the buyer and makes it hard to imagine any problems with their new home. A buyer
needs a home inspection to find out the problems /defects with the home before moving in.
Home Sellers: More and more sellers are choosing to have a thorough inspection before or when they first list their
home. First and foremost, you should have a home inspection for full disclosure. You will have demonstrated that you did
all you could do to reveal any defects within the home. Second, you will save money and hassle by knowing now what your
defects are, not after you have already negotiated a price and are faced with costly repairs discovered on the buyer’s
inspection. Defects found before the buyer comes along allow you to shop around for a contractor and not deal with
inflated estimates that a buyer will present.
What if the report reveals problems?
All homes (even new construction) have problems. Every problem has a solution. Solutions vary from a simple fix of the
component to adjusting the purchase price. Having a home inspection allows the problem to be addressed before the sale
closes.
What does a home inspection include?
A proper and comprehensive home inspection will review the accessible and visible condition of the home from the
basement to the roof, which includes the following systems and areas: Structural, Roofing, Exterior of Building,
Electrical, Heating, Cooling / Air Conditioning (temperature permitting), Plumbing, Interior of Building, Functioning
Permanently Installed Kitchen Appliances, and Fireplace Hearth. Many inspectors will also offer additional services not
included in a typical home inspection, such as termite, mold, radon, septic, water testing, etc…
What should I NOT expect from a home inspection?
A home inspection is not protection against future failures. Stuff happens! Components like air conditioners and Heat
Systems can and will break down. A home inspection tells you the condition of the component at the time the component
was inspected. For protection from future failure you may want to consider a home warranty.
A home inspection is not an appraisal that determines the value of a home. Nor will a home inspector tell you if you
should buy this home or what to pay for this home.
A home inspection is not a code inspection, which verifies local building code compliance. A home inspector will not
pass or fail a house. Homes built before code revisions are not obligated to comply with the code for homes built today.
Home inspectors will report findings when it comes to safety concerns that may be in the current code such as ungrounded
outlets above sinks. A home inspector thinks “Safety” not “Code” when performing a home inspection.
Should I attend the home inspection?
It is often helpful to be there so the home inspector can explain in person and answer any questions you may have. This
is an excellent way to learn about your new home even if no problems are found. But be sure to give the home inspector
time and space to concentrate and focus so he can do the best job possible for you.
Are we licensed? If so by Who?
Absolutely, InspectionNOW is fully licensed in the state of Florida by none other than InterNACHI. The International Association
of Certified Home Inspectors, the world’s largest inspection trade association. Based in the United States, InterNACHI
is both non-profit and federally tax-exempt, and operates in 65 different countries and nine languages. InterNACHI is
the inspection industry’s largest provider of education and training. InterNACHI has been awarded more than 1,400
governmental approvals and accreditations. For more info visit their website: https://www.nachi.org/
Where can I read the complete scope of a Home Inspection?
We at InspectionNOW, have been professionally trained and licensed to follow InterNACHI’s Standards of Practice. You may read the
links provided to get a better understanding of what a Pre-Purchase Home Inspection consists of:
