Frequently Asked Questions

A home inspection is a visual examination of the home's major structure, systems and components that are visible and safely accessible. I systematically inspect your home to look for defects that may affect its safety and/or integrity. Most inspections last around 3-4 hours. You will then receive a report describing our findings, with explanations and annotated photos. Here are some sample reports you can view. Read InterNACHI's Standards of Practice to find out what is included and excluded in your home inspection.

I follow the InterNACHI Standards of Practice. The following are some of the many items I will be inspecting:

Able to identify defects that cannot be found through a visual inspection.
Technically exhaustive.
A county code inspection.
A certification of property or its components.
Looking for aesthetic issues that amount to a matter of taste or preference.
Able to assess the market value of the home.
A source of advice as to whether or not you should buy the home.
Capable of communicating the life expectancy of the property or components.

Buying a home is typically the biggest investment you will ever make, so it's important to get a home inspection because the inspector should be able to discover and document defects that may or may not be obvious to you as a prospective buyer. Such defects can range from simple replacements or repairs, to severe damage or safety and health concerns. Home buyers often use the inspection reports to negotiate any repairs that should be done by the seller prior to closing. Additionally, many mortgage companies require a home inspection on a property before approving the home loan.

Home buyers typically schedule an inspection once their offer on the home has been accepted, but before closing. Many contracts between the seller and buyer include conditions where the buyer can back out if the home inspection reveals major defects. The report also serves as a useful tool for negotiating any repairs or credits the sellers should make prior to closing.

Home sellers should get an inspection prior to putting their home on the market so that they can identify any repairs on issues that may otherwise scare off buyers. The report can also aid in identifying repairs that could increase the market value of the home.

You should attend the inspection, and you should reconsider hiring an inspector who doesn't allow this. You can learn a lot by following an inspector through the home. You will certainly gain a better understanding of the home's condition, which will give you insight into its potential sale points and defects. Additionally, you will likely learn information about the home's maintenance, systems and components that may provide useful for the transaction.

That would pose a pretty major conflict of interest. According to InterNACHI's Code of Ethics:

The InterNACHI member shall not perform or offer to perform, for an additional fee, any repairs or associated services to the structure for which the member or member's company has prepared a home inspection report for a period of 12 months. This provision shall not include services to components and/or systems that are not included in the InterNACHI Standards of Practice.

An inspector should not benefit financially from what they include or exclude from their reports.

The inspection report should categorize problems from minor to major. Most homes have at least a few problems. Once you have received your report, I make it easy for you to create a repair request report, which you can then share with the seller as a way to negotiate any repairs or credits they will make before you close. If serious problems are found, the report should indicate the type of professional you may want to consult with to more deeply understand the issue and what may be involved in resolving it.

Here’s how this program works:

It's valid for home inspections performed for home buyers only by participating InterNACHI® members.
The home must be listed for sale with a licensed real estate agent.
The Guarantee excludes homes with material defects not present at the time of the inspection, or not required to be inspected, per InterNACHI's Residential Standards of Practice.
The Guarantee will be honored for 90 days after closing.
InterNACHI will pay you whatever price you paid for the home.

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas.

You cannot see, smell or taste radon. But it still may be a problem in your home. When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General of the United States has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

“This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements [are at risk for elevated radon levels].” – EPA – “A Citizen’s Guide to Radon”

You should test for radon.

Testing is the only way to find out your home's radon levels. The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon.

You can fix a radon problem.

If you find that you have high radon levels, there are ways to fix a radon problem. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.

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