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"Just what does a Home Inspector do?"

By
Home Inspector with HOME INSPECTOR USA, LLC

Think of a professional home inspector as a detective searching throughout the house for clues that lead to a conclusion of the home's overall condition. A certified home inspector performs a very important service. He inspects an existing home using professional standards and equipment as a measure to accurately report the condition of the home. A professional home inspector will inspect the property to the highest professional and ethical standards in the industry and provide the client with an accurate, comprehensive, easy-to-read, written assessment report thereafter. The inspector does not evaluate the home for cost or value. A home inspection is a non-invasive examination of the condition of a home performed on specific time and date. The home inspection is carried out by a professional home inspector, who usually is certified and has specialized equipment (tools), education and training to ascertain and carry out such task.

To be a competent and professional home inspector it must be fully educated & trained in the proper operation of all commonly found home systems. These systems include:

•v  Structural Components (foundations, floors and walls),

•v  Exterior Components (siding paint, windows, decks, garage doors, etc.),

•v  Roofing (coverings, flashings, chimneys, etc.),

•v  Plumbing (piping, fixtures, faucets, water heating and fuel storage systems, etc.),

•v  Electrical (wiring, main service panels, conductors, switches, receptacles, etc.),

•v  Heating (equipment, safety controls, distribution systems, chimneys, etc.),

•v  Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps (cooling and air-handling equipment, controls and ducting, etc.),

•v  Interior (partitions, ceilings, floors, railings, doors and windows, etc.),

•v  Insulation and Ventilation (attic, walls, floors, foundations, kitchen and bathrooms, etc.)

Why a Home Inspection?  Public awareness, increased liability, and the growing demand for qualified information have catapulted the home inspector into the public spotlight. When purchasing a home, many home buyers have saved literally thousands of dollars through information provided by the home inspector. People who have owned a home for several years have benefited through the home inspector's knowledge of maintenance, repairs and experienced eyes to avert potential problems. In many areas where disasters have occurred, homeowners have relied on inspectors to help them identify any damage resulting from storms, earthquakes, etc.

The home inspection report must be neatly written and conform to the accepted standards of the industry. With proper education, training and experience a home inspector can be an effective asset to the home buyer. A home "cannot fail" an inspection, as there is no score or passing grade given. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but rather describe its physical condition and indicate what components and systems may need a major or minor repair or replacement. The home inspector play a very important role in the decision making process and in the result of the real estate transaction.A home inspection has become an intricate part of the real estate transaction. 

For more information, please visit:  www.HOMEINSPETORUSA.biz       

Michael Sahlman
www.HomesForVIPs.com - Keller Williams Realty - Miami Beach, FL
e-PRO - Miami Beach Florida Luxury Homes

So that's what they do! No just kidding. I have to actually pay attention when they do them here.By the way, is there any state licensing or what kind of standards are there?

Aug 17, 2008 12:02 PM
Bill Kennedy
Keller Williams Greenville Upstate - Greenville, SC
Homes For Sale Greenville SC

Welcome to active rain! I've had a blast since joining almost exactly a year ago, and I bet you will too.  This is a great community for learning and sharing.  Join some groups, check out some blogs, and enjoy!

Aug 17, 2008 12:37 PM
Scott Magaw
The Bill Kennedy Team - Keller Williams Realty - Spartanburg, SC

Welcome to the rain! I don't know if this site is better because of what I've learned or from the business I"ve generated.  Good luck with it!

Aug 17, 2008 12:42 PM
Paul Howard
Cherry Hill, NJ
Paul Howard Realty, 856-488-8444

Welcome to Active Rain. this is a good place to learn - and share.

You are not wasting any time. Very through. 

I have a question:

Are there differences (if so what are they) in inspecting an ocean front home with a dock vs a similar house a block from the beach.  What issues come up and are specialized inspections needed.

 

Paul Howard

 

 

Aug 17, 2008 01:39 PM
Sasha Miletic - Windsor Real Estate
RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. - Windsor, ON

Hi John, Welcome to AR, Be a Blogholic and start writing your own blog soon on AR. All the best for your RE business. This is the right place for customers, friends, realtionships etc.

Best - Sash 

PS: FREE blog traffic strategy video...Hope this will help you... click here

Aug 18, 2008 01:34 AM