Should i use my realtors home inspector

There are places where termites are a major issue, or soil has eroded. The basic home inspection covers a range of items that are required by the state, but there may be other issues that are not part of the standard process.

Your inspection might include testing the air quality of the home for mold. Homes with basements will often include radon checks for an extra fee. A good home inspector will offer the full picture of what they find. They do not have a duty to go above and beyond the basics, but if they catch an issue off the books and share what they found, this is a good sign of an honest job. Most home inspectors don't perform a full pest inspection , for instance, but they might note in their reports any damage that they see.

Home inspectors are in the business of inspecting homes, so there's a chance they could be creating a conflict of interest if they direct you to a certain contractor to work on repairs. Liability issues can ensue if a home inspector suggests repairs.

Some state rules allow an inspector to take on specified repairs, but it's in your best interest to keep these two issues separate unless the inspector can also provide qualifications to make repairs.

The repair work should really be handled by licensed contractors who can be warrantied. Make sure your home inspector gets permits for repairs from your local building authority, which is most often the city. Most home inspections take from two to three hours, but they can take longer. The inspector will climb into the attic, crawl under the home or check out the basement, access the roof, and open all of the closet doors in your home.

They'll check the cabinets, under sinks, behind vents, the intakes of air conditioning units, and much more. Inspectors will often use strong flashlights to search each corner of your home and yard and jot notes as they work. You may wish to walk along with them—as you would with any stranger—as they move through your home.

This is common practice, except when they crawl under the house or onto the roof. Let the inspector point out any defects they see. Carry a notebook with you and write it all down, or keep notes on your smartphone. Ask questions about all minor and major action items they might make note of so you can prepare for what's next. When thinking about how long the process should take, it all depends.

There are many factors at play, such as the size of your home, the number of systems it has, how complex these are, the number of electrical and main panels, and current state and age of the home. Inspections that take less than two to three hours might just be glossing over many parts. Home inspectors will often need a few minutes to wrap up their notes after they finish their reviews.

The inspection is your big opportunity to understand the good, the bad, and the ugly about your new home. Watch out for red flags, such as if the home inspector references their professional relationship with your real estate agent when refusing to expand upon details on their report.

In many markets across the U. If a foundation issue crops up two years down the road, you may wonder if the problem was present at the time of inspection. Ideally, your inspector will be associated with a professional organization such as the National Association of Home Inspectors or the American Society of Home Inspectors.

If you want to become a home inspector, you will need to complete the list of requirements issued by your home state.

There isn't a national certification, and each state has its own rules and regulations. You must earn your license through a combination of home inspection classes, hands-on experience, and passing a state exam. A home inspection will cost you a little bit of time and money, but in the long run, you'll be glad you did it.

The inspection can reveal problems that you may be able to get the current owners to fix before moving in—or else prevent you from inadvertently buying a money pit. If you are a first-time homebuyer , an inspection can give you a crash course in home maintenance and a checklist of items that need attention to make your home as safe and sound as possible. Whatever the situation, addressing issues early through a home inspection can save you tens of thousands of dollars down the road.

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The Home Inspection Contingency. What a Home Inspection Covers. Exterior Inspection. Interior Inspection. However, while a client will want to take advantage of the experience and knowledge of their agent throughout the process, they may not be willing to abdicate their responsibilities in the choices they will need to make.

Clients can consider the following when assessing a home inspector that their agent recommends. An agent should fully understand the goals of their client and the client should be open enough to assist the agent in providing the best possible advice. This is not to say that each must blindly follow along. They should, therefore, take into consideration any recommendations made by an agent, but also verify on their own, the validity of any claim or recommendation.

One of the biggest benefits of taking the recommendation of your real estate agent is the time it can save in performing your own research. It also shows confidence in your relationship with your agent. The agent may have had success in working with the inspector previously and may appreciate the efficient performance of that particular inspector. They likely have a high degree of confidence in anyone they recommend.