Home Inspections
The value of a general home inspection is incomparable. Purchasing a
new home is stressful enough without further worry about the condition
of the property you're buying. The cost of an inspection (paid by the buyer)
by a professional is minimal when you consider all the knowledge you will
gain about your new home -- average price for a $200,000 home is in the
range of $275. Most Realtors strongly recommend that a buyer obtain a home
inspection on all resale properties and home inspections are also available
for new homes.
The home inspection is not the same as an appraisal. The inspection
is meant to evaluate the structural and mechanical condition (not the market
value) of the property. The inspector's findings will be based on observable,
unconcealed structural conditions. The inspector will not normally guarantee
or warrant the condition of the home.
Please see the American Society of Home Inspectors for a list
of certified home inspectors at ASHI .
It is strongly recommended that the buyer accompany the inspector
when he inspects the property. You can expect the inspection to take anywhere
from 2 hours to 5 hours depending on the size of the home. During this
time, the inspector will give you invaluable maintenance tips, answer all
your questions, and give you information regarding further possible problems.
You will then be in a better position to understand his written report.
The professional home inspector has been trained thoroughly
and is fully educated regarding the various plumbing, electrical, and building
codes in the counties he works. A home inspection will encompass all the
following:
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Exterior walls, roof, driveways, patios, porches, decks, and fences;
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Foundation, sub-flooring, attic and crawl spaces;
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Interior walls, ceilings, floors, doors and windows;
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Kitchens, baths, and appliances;
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Plumbing and electrical fixtures, lines, switches and receptacles;
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Heating and air conditioning systems, insulation, vents and ductwork;
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Water heaters, fireplaces and chimneys;
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Gutters and drainage;
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Esimated life/replacement costs;
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Component and system maintenance guidelines.
Every inspection should include a written evaluation of all of the foregoing.
The report will not include a recommendation as to whether or not you should
buy the house, nor will it evaluate the purchase price. If major flaws
are uncovered, it should give you some idea of what it will cost to repair
or replace the problem. A reputable home inspector will never offer to
perform needed repairs and should not refer you to a contractor to perform
such repairs.
The report may serve the following purposes:
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To identify problems before you purchase a home to prevent unpleasant
surprises later;
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To enable you to get out of a contract (and get your deposit refunded)
if serious problems are found;
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To help you negotiate an adjustment in the purchase price if you want
to buy the house in spite of uncovered problems;
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To get the seller to agree to pay for needed repairs, either before
the sale or after the sale using escrowed funds; and
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To make you feel confident about going ahead with the purchase.
In Georgia, a home inspection is a contingency in the contract (usually
for 7-10 days). The buyer will remove this contingency assuming he gets
a satisfied home inspection report. In the case of problems, the buyer
(through an addendum written by the Realtor) may ask the seller to repair/replace
certain items. The seller may then agree or disagree. Sometimes the seller
agrees to repair/replace some things, but not others. The buyer may then
accept what the seller will do and remove the contingency. If the buyer
doesn't accept the seller's response, then the contract will become void.
You may also obtain additional inspections, such as
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Septic tanks, wells, or sewer lines;
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Common areas (in the case of a condominium or cooperative);
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Full or partial structural inspections;
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Environmental inspections (FRT, asbestos, lead-based paint, radon, formaldehyde,
electromagnetic fields, USTs, UFFI-insulation, toxins in soil, impurities
in water systems); and
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Probably anything else you can think of.
Please see Environmental Inspections
for further information about various EPA concerns.
W F Snyder Company can give you names of several reputable home inspectors
in the area you're buying.
For general information, please send e-mail to:
Buyer@wfsnyder.com
Please choose from the following:
