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You are here: Home / Buying a Home / What Exactly is a Home Inspection?

What Exactly is a Home Inspection?

February 25, 2020

what exactly is a home inspection

Home Inspection

There are lots of things called an inspection when you are buying a home – termite inspection, home inspection, final inspection, city/county inspection, radon inspection, the pre-drywall inspection, well and septic inspections, heating and air inspection, and yes, there are more inspections that can be done.

The inspection that covers the most items on a property you purchase is called a home inspection (aka private home inspection). In NC you should hire a licensed home inspector. In 1994, North Carolina established the North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board (NCHILB). There are professional associations for home inspectors such as ASHI and InterNACHI and they are separate from the licensure board.

There are minimum standards for what a licensed home inspector should check during an inspection. Most of the home inspectors my buyer clients hire go above and beyond these minimums. For example, a minimum requirement is to check “a representative number” of windows and electrical outlets. You want to hire a home inspector who will check all windows and electrical outlets that are reasonably accessible (i.e. not blocked by furniture or in a 2 story space).

Inspection checks all the major systems, interior and exterior, including:

  • Roof (inspect the condition of shingles & flashing)
  • Exterior cladding (inspect for wood rot or areas of potential water penetration)
  • Windows and doors (confirm they open & close easily; inspect for failed seal between window panes)
  • Kitchen appliances
  • Ceilings and floors (inspect for water damage, unevenness)
  • Plumbing (run water in all sinks & tubs and flush all toilets; inspect water heater)
  • Electrical (inspect electrical panel, check outlets & GFCIs)
  • Crawlspace (inspect for fallen insulation, failed vapor barrier)
  • Structural components (inspect structural components in attic and crawlspace)
  • Other systems (fireplace, garage door, HVAC)

An inspection is not a guarantee that the home you buy will be perfect.

A home inspection is different than a home warranty. Unless a home is being sold as-is, buyers will request repairs or a credit to make repairs after closing. Sellers are not required to make any repairs, so do not assume that a seller must fix or replace an item. Sellers are also not required by the contract or required by the buyer’s lender to bring any part of the house up to the current building code.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in the coming months and want to know more, let’s chat!

Give me a call at 919-818-5001 or email amy@amyshair.com.

Filed Under: Buying a Home, Selling a Home Tagged With: home inspection, Triangle Real Estate

About Amy Shair

Amy Shair is an Award-Winning REALTOR® and Real Estate expert serving Durham, Cary, and Raleigh North Carolina areas for over 25 years. Amy continues to stay current with online and real estate trends so that her clients are well-prepared for buying or selling their home. Call or Text Amy for your SHAIR of the market at 919-818-5001.

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