They're paid for the service they provide—home inspection—and therefore, offer an unbiased opinion on the condition of the home. With a real estate agent, or even a lender, a percentage of the sale is taken as profit, so it's possible for them to be biased in their assessment.
What are home inspectors not allowed to do?
The home inspector has a responsibility to perform a non-invasive, visual examination. This means the home inspector can only examine the readily accessible areas of the home. A home inspector is not allowed to perform destructive measures such as removing drywall, siding, trim, paneling, floor coverings, etc.
How do you impress a home inspector?
- GFCI Electrical Outlets.
- Smoke Detectors.
- Seal Roof Fasteners.
- Seal Exterior.
- Plumbing Leaks.
- Anti-Siphon on Exterior Fixtures.
How do I ask for a property inspection?
- 'What does that mean? '
- 'Is this a big deal or a minor issue? '
- 'What's that water spot on the ceiling, and does it need a repair? '
- 'I've never owned a house with an HVAC/boiler/basement.
- 'What are your biggest concerns about the property?
What should I ask at inspections?
- 'What do you check? '
- 'What don't you check?
- 'What do you charge for a home inspection?
- 'How long have you been doing this?
- 'Can I come along during the inspection?
- 'How long will the inspection take?
- 'Can I see a sample report?
- 'What does that mean?
How do I ask seller to fix after inspection?
- Ask the seller to make the repairs themselves.
- Ask for credits toward your closing costs.
- Ask the seller to reduce the sales price to make up for the repairs.
- Back out of the transaction (if you have an inspection contingency in place)
- Move forward with the deal.
What can you ask the seller to fix?
- Major electrical issues that are safety or code issues.
- Plumbing, drainage, sewer, septic, or water issues (or well water issues, if applicable)
- Mold or water damage.
- HVAC problems that affect home comfort.
- Leaking roofs or missing shingles.
- Termite and pest damage.
How should a buyer prepare for an inspection?
- Provide open access to areas that need to be checked.
- Clear the perimeter.
- Check the roof.
- Keep a clean house.
- Replace any bulbs that are out.
- Make sure your toilets are functioning properly.
- Put in a fresh furnace return filter.
What should buyer do during home inspection?
A home inspector will look at things like a home's foundation, structural components, roof, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems, then provide a written home inspection report with results. Buyers should attend the inspection so they can explore their new home in detail and ask questions during the process.
Should buyers be present at home inspection?
In a nutshell, home buyers are always encouraged to attend a home inspection because they need to know as much as possible about the home, and may have several questions to ask. However, it isn't mandatory. If you can't get time off work, don't worry. There will be an entire report with pictures for you to review.