Preparing for the Final Inspection
When looking for a home inspector, credibility is the
biggest factor! Your inspector should be certified by one or more of the recognized trade associations. Most associations
such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), and California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA) have membership
certification requirements that include minimum levels of experience and on-going training, as well as a Code of Ethics and
Standards of Practice, which must be adhered to. Ask your inspector which association(s) he or she belongs to and then visit
the association’s website to confirm their current certification.
Preparing You, the Buyer, for the Inspection of Your New Property
At the Property Inspection Team, Inc., we understand that real estate
is an important and expensive purchase decision for our clients. This is why we encourage client involvement throughout the
inspection process. We urge our clients to attend the inspection so they can accompany our Inspector and observe the methods
and techniques used to conduct the inspection.
We also urge our clients to set aside sufficient time to read through the entire report and ask any questions they
may have about the inspection findings and report materials issued by the Property Inspection Team, Inc., prior to close of
escrow. Our objective in reporting inspection findings is to provide our clients with the information needed to make an informed
purchasing decision.
Our Inspectors
do not pass or fail a property, nor can the Property Inspection Team, Inc. protect clients against every potential risk associated
with the purchase and ownership of real estate. Rather, our Inspectors educate clients about building systems and components,
and they seek to identify and accurately report on material facts or conditions that affect the construction, general maintenance,
and overall safety of a building and its surrounding areas.
We absolutely believe that the inspection
services we conduct will provide our clients with valuable insight into the condition of a building and its surrounding property,
and a starting point for addressing visible building deficiencies and defects. Therefore, in offering our services to the
public, we remind our clients that they need to consider the importance of each inspection finding against the reality that
there is no such thing as a flawless property.
Finally, we understand that the inspection process can be stressful on all parties to a real estate transaction.
In an effort to minimize stress levels, we remind our clients that we are typically hired after a seller and a prospective
purchaser have agreed in principle on the general terms of a real estate transaction. Therefore, we take a balanced and non-adversarial
approach in conducting inspection services and preparing inspection findings. Our Inspectors will comment on defects as well
as positive attributes of a building, and they will report inspection findings in the proper perspective, that is, defects
will be reported in a straightforward manner without blowing them out of proportion or sugar coating. them. We recognize that
additional negotiations between a seller and a prospective purchaser are often the byproduct of home inspection services.
However, with the above points in mind, we discourage our clients from using the inspection process or the inspection findings
as the basis for placing unreasonable demands upon a property owner.
Preparing the Property for a Home Inspection
The inspector will need to have access to the following items and
areas to complete the inspection. It would help the inspector and be to your benefit if these areas are accessible:
- Electric panels (accessible and unlocked) -Electrical sub-panels inside the home are often painted and removing the cover
may mar the finish. The inspector is not responsible for cosmetic damage incurred while removing the cover.
- Water heater
- Furnace and air conditioning system
- Attic access
- Crawl space/basement access
- Electrical receptacles
- Under sink plumbing
Before the inspection:
"Seller shall make the property available for all buyer investigations.
Seller shall have water, gas electricity and all operable pilot lights on for Buyer's investigations and through the date
possession is made available to Buyer." (Excerpt from: Paragraph 9B of the California Association of Realtors® California
Residential Purchase Agreement) It is best to turn off computers as it is possible for a breaker to be tripped while removing
panel covers. Security systems should be disabled during the inspection(s) and re-engaged when the inspection services conclude.
Pets should be secured and out of the way during the inspection(s). During the time of inspection(s) please make sure that
all utilities are on and that pilot lights are lit (the gas provider will usually light pilots at no cost to the owner). Make
sure that all sinks, showers and bathtubs are clear of dishes or personal items. If you have child safety caps on receptacles,
we request that they be removed before the inspection. Receptacles with appliances, lights, computers and child safety covers
are not tested due to liability issues. In some cases, this could necessitate a re-inspect, usually at the seller's expense.
If there are systems, appliances, etc. that are in need of repair, please disclose them before the inspection. Further damage
is possible if the inspector tests them, without prior knowledge of defects.
Access Areas:
Areas noted as inaccessible
will usually raise a red flag and may result in a re-inspection, or the buyer to back out of the deal.
Check out
the ASHI Virtual Tour by clicking here!
