Buying a Home

Things to consider when buying your new house

A home inspection is not a pass or fail test. It is an opportunity to open the door for renegotiation. A seller is not obligated to fix anything, but at the same time, the buyer can walk away if not satisfied with the condition of the home.

In the process of closing on a home sale, the buyer typically hires a home inspector to come to the house and perform a VISUAL observation. In accordance with the state’s standards, the home inspector identifies health, safety or major mechanical issues. The inspector looks for things that are deficient, unsafe, near the end of the service life, or are not functioning properly.

A typical inspection will take approximately 3 hours, give or take, based on the size and age of the home. The home inspector will go through the interior and exterior of the home, as well as, look at the surrounding grounds. Any broken, defective or hazardous issues will be recorded, and a report will be generated. The report will typically be completed and returned to the buyer within 24 hours of the inspection.

Buyers are encouraged to be at the inspection and participate as much as possible to see what the inspector sees in real time. Questions are encouraged, but keep in mind, the inspector needs to concentrate and work the process, so it is preferable that the buyer hold their questions until each room is completed or until the end of the inspection.

All inspections are completed in accordance to the Wisconsin State Standards of Practice. The inspector will only be looking at functional elements of the home. Cosmetic issues will not be addressed unless they pose a potential safety risk.

Please keep in mind, this is a visual inspection. If the home is significantly cluttered or areas are not accessible, the inspector will be limited in the ability to make observations.

Contact Home Scan Inspections before you finalize that sale to make sure you are getting what you paid for.