If you are about to purchase a property, then you should know that most banks, financial agencies can help you out with the actual purchase. But the catch is that they would expect a home inspection report to be submitted to them, giving you and the banks the all-clear on purchasing that particular property. So that begs the question, what can you expect from a home inspection, and is it worth it, since you would have to shell out for the same. Do note that you need a certified and independent home inspector to carry out the actual inspection and not someone recommended by the local realtor, for obvious reasons.
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Home inspector
A home inspector in Grinnell is often required to be bonded and certified by accredited agencies such as the NACHI. The home inspector must be an accredited professional and one who has had several home inspections under his belt. In short, he must have the requisite experience and know-how to carry out a home inspection. Do note that the home inspector is always impartial in tone and one who does not recommend any repairs on his own – instead he flags several areas of concern which in turn, will be listed in the inspection report.
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The checklist
When it comes to a home inspection, both you, as the buyer and the home inspector, need to have a checklist. As a buyer, you need to have one to point out to the inspector what you need to be checked. The inspector should have one, out of sheer experience that he ought to take a close look at. The checklist is more like a roadmap, one which can point out the relevant issues to the inspector. You may want to go over the checklist as well, to make sure that both important, as well as minor issues, are featured in the same so that the inspector can take a close look at the same.
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Tools
When it comes to an inspection, it needs to be pointed out that the inspector has to do more than a mere visual inspection. He would need to take several samples of the ground soil, to determine Radon levels and whether it’s safe. Apart from this, the inspector would also require a moisture meter as well as thermal cameras to take a closer look at the walls. Newly painted walls tend to look bright, shiny, and dry. But with these cameras, the inspector should be able to accurately estimate the moisture content on the wall. Apart from this, the inspector can also use his various tools to check the hollowness of tiles as well as determine if any repairs had taken place recently.
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Software applications
You would be surprised to know that most home inspectors are tech-friendly. As it is, they utilize various programs from Excel to MS Word to record the inspection progress in depth. Furthermore, they utilize these programs to provide the buyer with a comprehensive inspection report, within 24 hours. So to state that software programs are essential for a timely inspection report, would not be an understatement.
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The D – day
When it comes to the day of the Inspection, you would find that the inspector comes prepped, with the requisite know-how, and has the required tools, software to carry out his tasks. As a buyer, it is your job to bring the inspection report to the attention of the seller and to enforce the contingency clause. Just know that an experienced inspector would not recommend a specific course of action but instead would flag the issue for your attention.
This is what you can expect from a home inspector during the inspection. Just be wary of any home inspector who has been recommended by a realtor. That’s why you need to do your homework and double-check the inspector’s credentials, and find out if they have the required certification and are indeed accredited, as listed in their profile. Make it a point to check all their past inspection reports as well as their customer feedback, reviews.
