Understanding The Home Inspection Process

Fort Collins Real Estate Inspections – Why Critical For Your Home Purchase!

So you are thinking about buying a Fort Collins or Loveland home. Do you need a home inspection? Before we offer any advice, it is suggested you read the rest of this article and decide for yourself. Once you finish reading this home buying resource you will have your answer. Remember this critical point - a well-informed consumer can make smarter decisions if you know and understand the facts about buying your next Fort Collins home. And that’s the precise reason for offering this article and this Fort Collins real estate website.

What is the Purpose of a Fort Collins Home Inspection?

Generally speaking, the primary purpose for having a home inspection performed is for your peace of mind and to identify any “conditions” with the Fort Collins home you are buying. A well-qualified home inspector has a trained eye and can identify a condition not readily seen by consumers caught up in the emotion of buying a home. Most home inspectors check for material facts or conditions with the home and its primary systems.

What Components and Systems are checked During a Home Inspection?

Fort Collins area home inspectors generally check the following areas and systems to determine if material facts and conditions exist.

• Air-conditioning and heating systems (HVAC – Heated Ventilated Air Condition systems)
• Basement seepage
• Electrical
• Environmental hazards
• Lead paint
• Plumbing
• Radon concentrations
• Roof
• Termites

Who Pays for Home Inspections?

Typically speaking, buyers traditionally pay for the home inspection. On rare occasions, sellers will have a home inspection performed on their property prior to listing the property with a real estate professional. Most buyers opt to include a contingency (rider) in the offer to purchase based on a favorable outcome of the inspection of the home. Remember this - it is unethical for a home inspector (who is also a contractor) to bid on jobs to perform corrective repairs on conditions they identify during their inspection.

The Home Inspection “Conundrum”

How can a home inspector perform their duties and not “wreck” the real estate transaction? Remember, the duties of a home inspector utilizing the protocol of the Uniform Home Inspector’s Code Book™ are to:

• Prepare a written report on the "conditions" of the visible and accessible components of a dwelling. A "condition" indicates, in the view or evaluation of the home inspector, that the performance of a component is outside the typical "norms" for that component, (as defined in the Code Book™).

So here is the dilemma, how does the home inspector achieve their legal obligation without "wrecking" the real estate transaction? That is the conundrum of the process of a home inspection. The absolute best approach to a home inspection is to ask your inspector to “state the material facts” or conditions that impact the value, habitability, desirability, or safety of the home you are buying. If conditions are found (know this - ALL homes have conditions even new ones) have several reputable tradesmen provide a free written cost estimate of corrections of stated material facts from the written report of the home inspection. That way you avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

Jump-start Your Loveland or Fort Collins Property Search

Contact CENTURY 21 Humpal if you have any specific questions about the home inspection process. As your real estate partner, our home buying assistance is a quick click away! To get started with your Berthoud, Firestone, Fort Collins, Frederick, Greeley, Johnstown, Longmont, Loveland, Platteville, Wellington, or Windsor property search, contact us for your initial home buying analysis today.