Selecting the right home inspector is really important when you are under a contract and buying a new home. When it comes to purchasing services, there is never truly a one size that fits all. While some prefer to have a thorough and detailed inspection, however, others such as contractors or engineers may only truly need someone to walk with them through the home to help confirm their own observations. Having said that, the type of home inspection service and level of detail or support needed is the reason why a small amount of time dedicated to making the right selection ensures that you proceed with greater confidence through a real estate transaction.

Typically, a Home Inspection company performs a visual inspection of the house and provides are report of the inspection observations for you to consider as part of your decision to purchase the home. Often, many Home Inspection companies separate the parts of the home into several categories to make the types of issues easier to group together. A typical home inspection report will have some of the following categories:
Roofing
Structure
Plumbing
Electrical
Heating Ventilation and Air conditioning
Interior
Exterior
While this is not an all encompassing list of all the possibilities, many home inspection reports contain these general categories.

The content of the Home Inspection reports vary from company to company. Many companies today provide or include photos of some of the items that they have encountered during the home inspection while several companies do not. It is always a good idea when selecting a home inspection company to ask how they provide their reporting. Many will either have examples that they can send over to you for you to get an idea of what the end formatting will look like. In unique places such as Texas, the home inspection companies have a standard reporting format requirement along with strict rules under which they operate.

There are several important things that you want to make sure that you get out of the home inspection that can help you gain a bit more knowledge about the home you are about to purchase. Here are some things to make sure you get out of the inspection report:
The current ages and conditions of major appliances such as air conditioning, heating units, and water heating system. Knowing how old these items are can give you a good idea whether or not you should budget to replace these items over the next year or two or whether or not you don't have to replace these for a while. Pay careful attention to the inspection report, as small signs of aging such as rust may indicate potential upcoming repairs that should be budgeted for.
Current conditions of items like roofing and structure of the home. Make sure that if you are purchasing an older home, that certain areas of the home such as the attic, crawl space or basement that is present is thoroughly examined. You want to make sure, especially if you are purchasing an older home that it is still in good condition. All homes will need maintenance as they get older and you should plan carefully to ensure that you are considering the maintenance aspects of a home.
Any major visible damage and other repair items. While in most cases the current home owner might be aware of items that have been troubling, there are times when small problems grow undetected over time. Sometimes these can be minor roof leaks that go unnoticed because they are hidden in small areas. The previous homeowner may not be aware of these items to be able to tell you about them. So make sure that you consider the seasonal conditions that the home is typically subject to, any surrounding large trees or vegetation and the location of the home. While a home close to the beach is a great place to be, these homes have unique maintenance issues that differ from the inland ranch home or a home that is subjected to winter weather and snow.

You should also check the state licensing bureaus to determine the licensing requirements for home inspection companies and verify that any company that you are about to hire is properly licensed. Most states will also require a background check, however you must still confirm with the state rules to ensure that this is the case in your state.

Here are some additional tips to consider or ask your home inspector when you speak with them over the phone. This is not an all encompassing list, of course, but this should help you get started:
How long have you been in business?
How soon does the report become available once it is completed?
Do you provide a printed or electronic report?
Can i get a copy of your license and proof of insurance?
If I have any questions about the report will you be available after the inspection to answer questions?
What's interesting about this type of service is that this is one of the few services where you purchase the service without fully getting a chance to sample the end product. This is why some home inspection companies have resorted to posting a sample report on their websites. If that is not available you should ask the home inspection company if they have a sample report that they can send you.

And last but not least, don't be afraid. Take some time to go over your report with the Real Estate Agent. I'm sure that if you have any questions about the Home Inspection report you can certainly call the home inspector. Your Realtor can also help to direct you to resources to help provide you with some insight and answers.

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