A Home Inspection is a worthwhile
investment. About Home Inspections
A standard home inspection is a
visual examination of the physical structure and major interior systems of a
residential building consisting of one to four dwelling units. It should be
understood that there are certain risks inherent in the purchase of property
and a home inspection is inherently limited in its scope and depth. The
information gained from home inspection conforming to 266 CMR 6.00 may reduce
some of those risks, but the home inspection is not intended to provide the
client with protection from all of the risks involved.
An inspection can be likened to a
physical exam by a physician; however, it should be clearly understood that a
home inspection is not to be confused with an appraisal, a building code
inspection, a guarantee of any kind, and/or an insurance policy on the
condition of the property.
During an inspection, the inspector
will review the readily accessible exposed portions of the structure of the
home, including the roof, the attic, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors,
basement, and foundation as well as the heating/air conditioning systems,
interior plumbing and electrical systems for potential problems.
Home inspections are not intended to
point out every small problem or any invisible or latent defect in a home.
Most minor or cosmetic flaws, for example, should be apparent to the buyer
without the aid of a professional.
Timing of the Home Inspection
A home inspector is typically hired
by a potential home buyer right after the offer to purchase. However, before the
potential buyer signs the offer to purchase contract, he/she should be sure
that there is an inspection clause in the contract making the purchase
obligation contingent upon the findings of a professional home inspection.
This clause should specify the terms to which both the buyer and seller are
obligated.
Selecting a Home Inspector
An advantage for working with a
Buyer's Agent with a signed Buyer's Agreement is the ability by MA
law to be able to refer a home inspector to his/her client. An agent active in the real
estate profession has vast knowledge of home inspectors they can recommend
for the property you are looking to purchase. Agents, however, may provide
assistance to buyers in accessing information on licensed home
inspectors.Other referral sources for home inspection services can
be friends, neighbors, or business acquaintances who have been
satisfied with a home inspector. The names of local inspectors can be
found by entering the words home inspection and the zip
code of the community where you are purchasing the dwelling and/or
searching the Division of Professional Licensure website at www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/hi, or in the
Yellow Pages where many advertise under "Building Inspection
Service" or "Home Inspection Service."
A current homeowner may also want to
get a home inspection to identify any problems, especially if the owner plans
to sell the home in the near future.
Following are additional tips when
searching for a home inspector:
- As of May 2001, home inspectors
are required to be licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A home
inspector's license should be verified prior to hiring. Consumers should
not be confused by home inspector "certifications" offered by,
or sold by home inspection trade societies or companies, obtained via
home study courses, or provided by home inspection companies that
certify their own home inspectors. Since the home inspection business is
unregulated in most states, certifications are available to anyone. A
home inspector's license can be verified with the Board of Registration
of Home Inspectors at its or by calling the Board at (617) 727-
4459.
- The home inspection company
that is retained should welcome the potential buyer's presence at the
home inspection. The home inspector should be willing to address all of
the buyer's questions and provide a full verbal and written report.
Those hiring an inspector should
expect an open door policy from the home inspection company to be able to ask
questions about the content of the home inspection report in the future.
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