What is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection is a professional, objective, visual examination of the condition of a property. Property buyers now entering the marketplace view inspections as a way to gain valuable information about of their investment. It helps them to determine whether there are any red flags which may indicate major defects or system inadequacies at the time of purchase.
In most cases, home inspections are performed after a sales contract, conditional upon a satisfactory inspection, has been accepted by the seller. The inspection can usually be arranged immediately to within a few days. The purchaser is typically encouraged to attend the inspection, so that he/she can see first hand the workings of the building. It also represents an excellent opportunity for the prospective buyer to ask questions about the building or to discuss potential changes.
Home inspections should also highlight the positive aspects of a property. In fact, many of the inspector's observations or recommendations help to dispel purchaser anxieties, and provide useful repair suggestions.
The home inspector's service to the purchaser is primarily one of education. The goal of the inspector is to provide the purchaser with a better understanding of the physical condition of the property in order that they can make a well-informed decision. It is also the inspector's role to keep his findings in perspective for the buyer. After the inspection is completed, a written report will be prepared for the purchaser, documenting the results of the inspection, along with an estimation of repair time frames and costs.
The home inspection should not be confused with an appraisal, a municipal code inspection, an environmental audit, or a warranty of any kind.
A Home Inspection should cover all of the major systems of a house, including structure, exterior, roofing, electrical, heating, cooling, insulation, plumbing and interior. As a minimum, a home inspection should meet the Standards of Practice of the American Society of Home Inspectors® (ASHI®). | 
