Home Inspection: What to Expect From a Home Inspection?

What is a Home Inspection?

In a home inspection documents are assessed in an attempt to find defects of the home's interior and exteriorIt is a way to get a third party opinion on the condition of a potential home before you close on the deal. A property inspection also gives you added confidence to renegotiate your offer or request repairs.

What is the checklist for a Home Inspection?

A home inspection checklist refers to a written compilation of the different areas of a home that needs inspection. You should make a list before embarking on the inspection. A typical checklist usually considers the following:

  • Plumbing system
  • Electrical system
  • Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system
  • Sewage system
  • Attics and rooftops
  • Basements
  • Foundation
  • Walls
  • Doors and windows
  • Garage, walkways, and driveways

What to expect before a Home Inspection?

Property Inspection | SGPNow

 There are two essential things you should do before the home inspection, and they include:

Hire a Home Inspector

It's best to hire your inspector as a homebuyer rather than accept the seller's home inspection report. Here are tips for hiring a qualified home inspector:

1.     Ask for a Recommendation

It's common practice to get home inspectors' referrals from friends and family who have previously gone through the process. Another option is to ask your real estate agent, as there are chances that they've worked with a home inspection company before.

2.     Seek Online Reviews

It's also a great idea to search through local home inspectors' online directories to get reviews about them. Both positive and negative reviews can tell you a lot about the home inspector.

3.     Check Their Credentials

Some states require home inspectors to carry a license or have certifications before they can operate. For States that don't, try searching through the database of professional associations for the inspector's membership status.

Professional bodies like the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors and the American Society of Home Inspectors require inspectors to pass an exam before becoming members.

4.      Home Inspection can be expensive

With the requirements and expertise needed in specific states, completing a home inspection can be a costly endeavor.  An alternative to this is to use an inspection services company like SGPNow to complete photo and descriptive documentation of the property.  

Schedule a Date

A home inspection typically occurs after the seller accepts an offer, but before the buyer completes the purchase. It's advisable to schedule your home inspection as soon as possible, to give you enough time for additional reviews or renegotiation.

Ready for an inspection?

What to expect after a Home Inspection?

Within a few days after the home inspection, you'll receive a report detailing the inspector's findings. The report will include all issues, their severity, and the estimated cost of fixing each defect. From the inspection report, you can decide if you'd like to purchase the home and on what terms.

Services Provided by SGPNow

At SGPNow, we provide on-demand property services through our network of vendors and our parent company's technology. We also offer property maintenance services and custom orders based on your needs.