Who Needs A Home Inspection?

Home Buyers

Buying a home? The process can be stressful. A home inspection is supposed to give you peace of mind, but often has the opposite effect. You will be asked to absorb a lot of information in a short time. This often includes a written report, checklist, photographs, environmental reports and what the inspector himself says during the inspection. All this combined with the seller's disclosure and what you notice yourself makes the experience even more overwhelming. What should you do?

Relax. Most of your inspection will be maintenance recommendations, and minor imperfections. These are nice to know about. However, the issues that really matter will fall into four categories:

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

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

• Things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy or insure the home.

• Safety hazards, such as an exposed, live buss bar at the electric panel.

Anything in these categories should be addressed. Often a serious problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect both life and property.

Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of defects uncovered during an inspection. Realize that sellers are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the report. No home is perfect. Keep things in perspective. Do not kill your deal over things that do not matter. It is inappropriate to demand that a seller address deferred maintenance, conditions already listed on the seller's disclosure or nit-picky items.

Home Sellers

Eventually your buyers are going to conduct an inspection. You may as well know what they are going to find by getting there first. Having an inspection performed ahead of time helps in many other ways:

• It allows you to see your home through the eyes of a critical third-party.

• It helps you to price your home realistically.

• It permits you to make repairs ahead of time so that ...

• Defects won't become negotiating stumbling blocks later.

• There is no delay in obtaining the Use and Occupancy permit.

• You have the time to get reasonably priced contractors or make the repairs  yourself, if qualified.

• It may encourage the buyer to waive the inspection contingency.

• It may relieve prospect's concerns and suspicions.

• Alerting you to immediate safety issues before agents
and visitors tour your home.

Copies of receipts for any repairs should be made available to potential buyers.


Home owners interested in remodeling, repairing or maintenance of their homes can often benefit from the services of a Home Inspector.

Please feel free to browse the rest of the HomeSmart website for further information and resources.

Call Rich at 773.419.0860 to schedule an inspection.

Email Rich at rlamszus@homesmartresidential.com for further information or to send feedback. I always love to hear from my clients.

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