A Complete Guide to Home Inspections

There is a lot you can expect from a home inspection. It is an objective assessment of a home’s condition.

A certified home inspector performs a thorough examination of the home’s structure and systems from top to bottom, inside and out.

Why is a home inspection important?

Having a home inspection done can detect issues that need to be addressed, which is critical since it allows you to understand what’s going on with your property.

A certified home inspection is not an appraisal and does not establish the market value of a property, but it may assist you in negotiating or deciding whether or not the property is for you.

As a home buyer, you want to know that you’re making an informed decision. A home inspection can provide peace of mind by providing an unbiased evaluation of the property’s condition.

What does a home inspection cover?

Generally, a home inspection consists of a visual examination of the home’s interior and exterior, as well as an evaluation of the home’s systems and components.

The specific areas included in a home inspection can vary depending on the inspector and the type of inspection, but typically a home inspection includes:

Foundations
Framings
Roofs
Plumbing Systems
Electrical Systems
Heating and Cooling Systems
Insulation
Windows and Doors
And more!

To learn more about the most common issues observed in each of these areas, see this blog post below!

9 Most Common Issues Found During Lakeland, FL Home Inspections

What does a home inspection NOT include?

A home inspection is not an appraisal, and it will not determine the value of a property. The inspector will not provide an opinion on whether or not the property is worth the asking price.

An inspection is also not a pass/fail test.

The goal is to provide you with information about the condition of the property so that you can make an informed decision.

How much does a home inspection cost?

The cost of a home inspection varies depending on the size and age of the property, as well as the location. Generally, inspections start at around $300 and can go up to $1,000 or more.

Pricing also varies on the type of inspection(s) that you need. There are several home inspection services.

What are the different types of inspections?

RESIDENTIAL INSPECTIONS

Before buying or selling a home, residential inspections are a necessary step to expose any unknown defects of the property.

Our inspections include free thermal imaging to catch potential issues that may not be visible to the naked eye, like water leaks.

WIND MITIGATION INSPECTIONS

A thorough wind mitigation inspection of a home can reveal what equipment is in place that is protecting it from wind damage. This can possibly qualify you for several insurance incentives and discounts!

There are a plethora of wind mitigation techniques available that can significantly lower the danger of property damage.

This is especially important in Florida as the state has seen more hurricanes than in another state since 1851! This makes sense because of its location between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

4-POINT INSPECTIONS

A 4 Point Inspection is a basic evaluation of four critical areas of a home—the HVAC systems, the roofing system, the electrical system, and the plumbing system.

This inspection is often required by insurers before they’re willing to issue or renew a policy on an older home.

PRE-LISTING INSPECTIONS

A pre-listing home inspection will check for any issues with your house before you list it for sale.

We will check things such as plumbing, electrical wiring, heating/cooling system, roofing, foundation, and more.

A pre-listing inspection gives you an idea of what needs to be fixed or improved. This helps you sell your home faster and for more money!

11-MONTH WARRANTY INSPECTIONS

Most builders offer a one-year warranty on a new home.

You want to have a full home inspection completed before the builder’s warranty expires.

Just because your home is new doesn’t necessarily mean it is defect free, especially in developments where lots of homes are built quickly and at the same time.

ANNUAL HOME MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS

Annual inspections include roof inspections, plumbing inspections, electrical inspections, foundation inspections, attic insulation inspections, and building structure inspections.

These inspections are important to keep your home in optimal condition and can help you avoid expensive repairs in the future.

These inspections are critical to the safety and upkeep of your home.

POOL AND SPA INSPECTIONS

Pools and spas can be relaxing and therapeutic additions to any home or multi-unit housing structure, but only if they’re safe and properly maintained.

How are home inspection reports delivered?

The home inspection report will provide you with a detailed summary of the inspector’s findings. Reports can vary from inspector to inspector in how they are delivered but there may be some key things you would like to include to make your life easier. We don’t want to waste your time!

For example:

What are some unique aspects we include in our reports?

HIGH-QUALITY IMAGES – We will take images throughout our inspection and integrate them into our document
STEP-BY-STEP BREAKDOWN – Easy to digest and understand, and are broken into individual sections, such as Interior, Heating and Air Conditioning, Electrical, Plumbing, Roof, and so on.
24-HOUR EMAIL DELIVERY – We know your time is valuable so we don’t keep you waiting. We guarantee that we will deliver your report to you within 24 hours of your inspection so that you can take any necessary actions quickly.
MOBILE-FRIENDLY REPORTS – We offer both desktop and mobile reports, ensuring that you can always view the results of your inspection, even when you’re on the go.
FOLLOW-UP SUPPORT – Once we’ve delivered your findings, we’ll schedule a follow-up consultation with both you and your agent, where we can discuss the report in-depth, provide recommendations, and decide on the next steps.
REPAIR REQUEST GENERATOR – Agents can quickly copy and paste information from the report using the Repair Request Document Generator, in order to request concessions or repairs from sellers.

What should I do if I find problems with the property?

If you find problems with the property during the inspection, you can use this information to negotiate with the seller to have the repairs made before you purchase the home or to lower the selling price of the home.

You might opt to walk away from the bargain if the repairs are too expensive or lengthy or the sellers will not negotiate or fix the major issues.

Ultimately it is up to you and because of the report you received, you will be able to have confidence in your decision.

What should you do if you’re considering a home inspection?

If you’re considering a home inspection, be sure to ask for referrals from friends, family, or your local realtors. Even better, you can do a quick google search and read reviews for home inspectors in your area. Simply search “home inspection near me”.

Once you’ve found a few qualified inspectors, be sure to ask about their experience and credentials.

You should also ask to see sample reports so that you know what to expect.

When choosing an inspector, it’s important to find someone who you feel comfortable working with. The home inspector should be someone who you feel you can trust to give you an honest and objective opinion about the property.

With all that said…

As one of the top home inspectors in the Lakeland area, I can assure you I have seen it all. Please get a home inspection before you make any big financial decisions and please make sure you choose a certified inspector who has good reviews.

Too many people are forgoing home inspections because of the fast-paced market we are seeing right now, and unfortunately, buyers are not seeing problems with the house they just bought until it’s too late.

You worked hard for that money! Don’t throw it away.

So, if you are searching for homes for sale in Lakeland Florida, do not hesitate to call me with any questions. I will make sure you are taken care of and get the best quality of service.

I even offer free thermal imaging! Which is a game changer when it comes to detecting leaks, especially in Lakeland Florida weather.

Talk to you soon!