Home inspection services can give you peace of mind about your big real estate purchase. There are many things to consider when purchasing a home such as price, location, schools and neighborhood amenities. Once you have narrowed your choices and made a selection you should hire an expert to look at the condition of the property. A qualified home inspector that follows recognized standards of practice can visually inspect your home and uncover unknown problems that you need to be aware of.

Being aware of existing problems can be very helpful in the purchase negotiation process. Sellers are motivated to close on the home. They are usually prepared to address the problems that are uncovered. Sometimes they will lower the price of the home so that the buyer has money to take care of it themselves after closing.

Professional home inspectors conduct a thorough visual inspection of the property and provide a written report of their findings. Most inspector look at the structure, exterior finishes, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, interior finishes, insulation and ventilation, and fireplaces during the home inspection process. In most cases you are welcome to follow along with the inspector so that you can ask questions and learn more about the system in your new home.

The average home inspection takes about three hours onsite and one hour to put together the home inspection report. Larger homes and homes with a lot of items to report can certainly take longer to inspect.

It is not uncommon to find plumbing and roof leaks during the home inspection process. The biggest enemy a home has is water intrusion. Wet structural members can rot and attract termites. Other common problems included air conditioning systems that are not cooling properly, improper electrical connections, ventilation issues, loose or missing insulation, structural issues and defects with the interior and exterior finishes.

At the end of the inspection most inspectors will review their findings along with pictures and inform the buyer that the home inspection report will be sent to them within 24 hours. Many inspectors will also provide a copy of the home inspection report to the real estate professional that is representing the buyer. They use the information on the home inspection report to put together a repair addendum for the real estate purchase agreement.

Home inspection fees very based on the size of the home and the type of foundation that it built on. When hiring a home inspector don’t let the price be your primary selection criteria. If you go with the cheapest inspector in your area you are likely to get what you paid for.

Your home is likely the largest purchase that you will ever make so be sure to have it inspected by a professional. When selecting a home inspector you should consider their training and experience. Ask what type of certifications they have and what standards they follow. The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), for example, has a Standards of Practice and a Code of Ethics that many home inspectors follow. Additionally, most states require licensing for individuals hired to conduct home inspections. Check to be sure the home inspector you select is licensed in your state.

Author Kirk Bingenheimer, provides expert home inspections services in greater Charleston, South Carolina. His company, B-Sure Inspections conducts more than 400 home inspections per year and is now expanding into other South Carolina cities. Visit B-Sure Inspections Today!

Author Kirk Bingenheimer, provides expert home inspections services in greater Charleston, South Carolina. His company, B-Sure Inspections conducts more than 400 home inspections per year and is now expanding into other South Carolina cities. (http://www.bsureinspections.com)

Author Bio: Author Kirk Bingenheimer, provides expert home inspections services in greater Charleston, South Carolina. His company, B-Sure Inspections conducts more than 400 home inspections per year and is now expanding into other South Carolina cities. Visit B-Sure Inspections Today!

Category: Real Estate
Keywords: buying a home,home inspection,home inspector