What is included in a typical home inspection?

Category: real estate real estate buying and selling
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The standard home inspector's report will cover the condition of the home's heating system; central air conditioning system (temperature permitting); interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation, basement and structural



Also asked, what is not included in a home inspection?

Appliances. Not all home are sold with the appliances, so they are generally not included in the home inspection. This includes dishwashers, refrigerators, ovens, washers and dryers. In most cases, the inspector will also not thoroughly check the HVAC systems.

Similarly, what does a whole house inspection cover? A whole house inspection is a visual, non-invasive check of the structure, foundation, roof, electrical, plumbing, heating/cooling system and built-in appliances. A whole house inspection with termite report is the same home inspection but also includes an assessment of the possibility of W.D.I.

Keeping this in consideration, what things do home inspectors look for?

Here's what home inspectors look for that, if found, could impact your home sale:

  • Water Damage.
  • Your Home's Structural Integrity.
  • Damage to the Roof.
  • Problems with Your Home's Electrical System.
  • Plumbing Related Problems.
  • Insect and Pest Infestations.
  • Trouble with the Home's HVAC System.

What should I be worried about a home inspection?

7 Worst Things to Hear in a Home Inspection

  • Foundation issues. Foundation issues can be a big deal and are typically very expensive, says Mike Lyon, Quicken Loans vice president of operations.
  • Mold.
  • Water damage.
  • Roof problems.
  • Furnace issues.
  • Vermin.
  • Age of the electrical system.
  • Vermin.

23 Related Question Answers Found

Do Home Inspectors check for termites?

Your basic Home Inspection – Hire a qualified home inspector who will do an inspection of the structural condition of the home including electrical, HVAC, plumbing, roofing. They will test appliances and look under sinks for leaks. This inspection is more commonly referred to as a termite inspection.

How do you pass a home inspection?

If you complete each recommendation, you can rest assured that your home will pass the inspection and sell before you know it.
  1. Be Honest with Inspector.
  2. Check Roof and Foundation.
  3. Check Drainage.
  4. Remove Clutter Around the Home.
  5. Make Sure Floors are Even.
  6. Monitor the Exterior.
  7. Check Electricity.

Do Home Inspectors make good money?

To balance out the risks involved, home inspectors earn an average salary of anywhere between $50,000 and $64,000 per year with benefits for home inspectors employed privately or by the government including medical or health insurance, paid annual leave and a retirement plan.

How long does it take to get home inspector license?

It also depends upon the home inspector educational and licensing requirements in your state. Most of our students complete the Home Inspector Training Course in three to four weeks, although there are some who have finished in as little as ten days.

What does an appraiser look at?


Specifically, with regard to the exterior of a property, an appraiser looks at the site, the quality of construction, the integrity of the roof and foundation, any issues with the guttering or siding, parking facilities and the home's observable external condition.

Who usually attends a home inspection?

The Buyer. In many cases, the buyer or the buyer's real estate agent will be present for the inspection. It is typically to the buyer's benefit that he or she is present.

Are sellers present for home inspection?

The sellers should not be present during the home inspection for all the same reasons the sellers aren't present for showings. Buyers will often have questions about defects during the inspection which can only be answered out of earshot of the seller, as the buyer owns the information from the home inspection.

Do I have to fix everything on a home inspection?

And rest assured, there's no need for you to fix everything a home inspector thinks could stand for improvement; a home inspection report is not a to-do list.

How long after a home inspection does the buyer have to back out?

Home inspection contingencies are often set on a seven-day timetable—meaning you, the buyer, must complete the inspection and send a formal notice to the seller that you're canceling the contract within seven days after signing the purchase agreement. Be sure to cover your bases if you want to get out of the contract.

What should I do before a home inspection?


Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prepare for the inspection.
  1. Provide open access to areas that need to be checked.
  2. Clear the perimeter.
  3. Check the roof.
  4. Keep a clean house.
  5. Replace any bulbs that are out.
  6. Make sure your toilets are functioning properly.
  7. Put in a fresh furnace return filter.

What are major issues in a home inspection?

Some of the major home inspection items worth addressing are:
  • Termites or other wood destroying insects.
  • Wildlife infestation like bats or squirrels in the attic.
  • Major drainage or on going water problems.
  • Mold problems.
  • Elevated Radon levels above EPA suggested levels.
  • Major electrical defects that cause safety issues.

What can go wrong during a home inspection?

Dave Swartz
  1. Faulty wiring.
  2. Roof problems.
  3. Heating/cooling system defects.
  4. Plumbing issues.
  5. Inadequate insulation and ventilation in attic.
  6. Whole house is poorly maintained.
  7. Poor drainage around the structure.
  8. Air and water penetrating cracks and window perimeters at exterior.

Can seller walk away after inspection?

Can the seller back out of the contract after the home inspection? The home inspection is a key time for sellers to back out of a sale, usually because buyers will ask for sellers to make repairs to the property or issue a “repair credit” to cover those costs, which can easily cancel the real estate contract.

When should you walk away from a house?

6 Reasons to Walk Away From a Home Sale
  1. The house appraises for less than what you've offered.
  2. The home inspection reveals major problems.
  3. The title search reveals unexpected claims.
  4. The house will cost a fortune to insure.
  5. The deed restrictions are way too onerous.
  6. Work has been done without a permit.

Do Home Inspectors check for rodents?


Rodents are usually disclaimed by inspectors because inspections are considered non invasive, visual inspection. Rodents can be hard to find without removing materials.

How do you negotiate repairs after a home inspection?

Your Options After a Home Inspection
  1. Ask the seller to make the repairs themselves.
  2. Ask for credits toward your closing costs.
  3. Ask the seller to reduce the sales price to make up for the repairs.
  4. Back out of the transaction (if you have an inspection contingency in place)
  5. Move forward with the deal.

What happens if seller does not make repairs before closing?

If the seller didn't do repairs, yes you can refuse to close. You also need to look at what you lose if you don't close. If you actually don't close, you lose all your inspection money, appraisal money, and any money you put into the transaction.