Top 5 Guidelines That Will Prepare the Buyer for a Home Inspection

**CharlesHeyward** · 11-19-2009, 03:31 AM

Planning and preparation are two essential aspects before considering home inspection. If the proceedings are not planned properly, you may lose out on time, efforts and money.

1. Cross check for the Home Inspector
Before hiring a home inspector, ensure that the person is a part of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). ASHI qualified inspectors have appropriate knowledge and are considered dependable.

2. Get his contact details
Request the home inspector to give you his contact information so that in case your bank or insurance company asks for additional details, you can call him back.

3. Communicate with the seller
As a buyer, it is important that you communicate with the seller to figure out if he has any particular issues that he wants to be checked. Make a note of these points.

4. Arrange the information into ‘Categories’
Categorize and record each potential component of a house that a home inspector would look at. You can categorize them as roof, flooring, heating system, septic system, garden, swimming pool, air conditioning and others.

5. Do some asking to the Home Inspector

a) Clarity on the condition of the house
Inquire about the condition of the roof and other components and take down estimates required to repair them. Before buying your house, try to choose a house in good condition. However, do not be disheartened if the home inspector points out some negative characteristics. Examine your contract carefully to see which components need to be worked upon and which ones can be left. For example, even your air conditioning system is old but if it works fine, there is no need for you to replace it. In some cases, your contract may not entail any repairs, which frees you from the seller’s unreasonable refusals.

b) Geography
Ask whether the geographic location of your house can damage it in any way and what would be the cost of protection.

c) Safety Issues
Ask if he has observed any safety issues that you must specially consider because of the presence of pets or children.

d) Structure of the Report
Ask him to explain the structure of the report and briefly state the important points.

e) Environmental Issues
Ask questions about other environmental issues such as UFFI, radon, lead paint and the septic system certification, if necessary.

**Moore** · 11-19-2009, 04:04 AM

I think the most important thing is to go together with the home inspector and see everything with your own eyes and then be sure that the house is OK.

**mr1** · 11-22-2009, 12:19 PM

I don't know how this is appropriate for "ask a Realtor" but...

I think the most important thing that will prepare a buyer for a home inspection is:

Use a home inspector who doesn't put every petty cosmetic issue in the report. Also unwanted items in the report are their unsubstantiated speculative opinions and verbiage. For example: don't say: "the HVAC is operative BUT is very old." Instead say: "the HVAC is operative. The HVAC was manufactured in 1989." Or "The roof does not currently leak, but is at the end of its life cycle." Instead say, "The roof does not leak. The roof is 25 years of age. Please check manufacturer for life expectancy of shingles." See how my description is less subjective yet more factual?

**Curtis McLain** · 11-22-2009, 08:15 PM

Great topic alot of buyers and sellers realy have no idea what to expect at or during a home inspection Buyers should always be there and ask questions.
Also stress to your sellers they have the rite to take a detailed look around the home (alot feel like they are intrudeing encourage them to peek in the atic and under the house to help eleminate this feer)
yisit our blog on home inspections.