Inspection Services

A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the structure and systems of a home, from the rooftop to basement. A home inspection summarizes the overall condition of a property, lists needed repairs, identifies potential future problems, and may recommend further evaluation or remedies.

Types of inspections

Buyer’s Home Inspection: A professional inspection will show homebuyers the true condition of the home they are planning to purchase. Few homes are perfect, and a detailed home inspection provides valuable information so that buyers can make an informed purchase decision. The Home Examiner will inspect the home, prepare a detailed, printed report on the condition of the home, and walk the buyer through the home to review the findings.

Seller's Inspection: Home sellers who want top dollar for a property often have an inspection performed before listing its sale. A pre-listing home inspection will find items in need of service or repair before the home is put on the market. A home in top condition is easier to list, may attract better offers, and can help reduce the time and stress involved in negotiation and closing.

New Home Warranty Inspection: Performed prior to the expiration of your builder's home warranty, a new home warranty inspection helps you take advantage of your home warranty. It assures that necessary repairs guaranteed under the builder's warranty are executed, should damage or problems be discovered.

Maintenance Inspection: You wouldn't drive your car for several years without a tune-up, right? The same holds true for your home. An inspection can help protect one of your largest investments by revealing needed repairs and maintenance, and possibly preventing small problems from becoming expensive repairs.

Radon Testing: The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes for Radon gas. Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from exposure. Whether performed in conjunction with a pre-purchase home inspection or as part of a maintenance inspection, accurate results are delivered quickly.

Home Energy Tune-Up: The Home Examiner will assess your home's energy efficiency and provide a guide to improving the energy performance of your home.

At the Home Examiner, we know that buying or selling a home can be stressful. Our job is to provide buyers and sellers with peace of mind, but our findings can have the opposite effect! That's why we work hard to make sure you're comfortable with the entire process, from the written report and environmental reports, to the post-inspection walk-through and seller's disclosure.

An inspection report most often contains maintenance recommendations, life expectancies and minor imperfections. In other cases a report will address issues that really matter, which will fall into four categories:

1. Major defects. An example of this would be a structural failure.

2. Things that lead to major defects. A small roof-flashing leak, for example.

3. Safety hazards, such as exposed, live electrical wiring or a gas leak.

4. Things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy, or insure

the home.

If your inspection reveals anything in these four categories it should be addressed to protect both life and property. For sellers, an inspection can reveal defects that could negatively impact your home's sale. Buyers must realize that sellers are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the report, deferred cost items, conditions already listed on the disclosure statement, or minor items.

In the end, remember: No home is perfect. Keep things in perspective. And remember why you love the house so much.