Home inspection reveals property's value.

by Ken Howard

Who should have their home inspected and why?

Home inspections are normally conducted when a prospective buyer of real estate desires to know what condition the home they intend to purchase is in.

Home inspections though, are not just for the buyer. They are also conducted for owners (sellers) of property. Owners have professional home inspections conducted prior to listing their property with a real estate agent mainly because they, too, want to know the condition their property is in. By knowing, they can fix or repair any or all deficiencies noted, or choose not to fix or repair any.

Regardless what course of action the owner chooses, knowledge is known and this knowledge helps the owner, as well as the listing agent, place market value on the property. In other words, the more information the seller and listing agent can provide the prospective buyer the better opportunity they have to sell the property.

Without this "listing home inspection," the prospective buyer has to have it conducted - providing they choose to do so. It is not mandatory. Home inspections can be foregone. Just as can many other types of inspections, i.e.; radon testing, lead base paint testing, etc.

All the prospective buyer need do is simply put in writing that they choose not to have any or all inspections conducted.

By doing so, the prospective buyer is simply saying that they accept the home in the condition it is in.

What is inspected?

To answer thatjust about everything, visually, mind you.

To clarify: Home inspections are visual inspections. Inspectors visually look at the condition of property. Which simply means they do not pull up carpet to look at the condition of floors. They do not light fires in the fireplace to see if the draw is adequate. They do not loosen roofing tiles to see if the material was put on according to manufacturers directions, etc.

What professional home inspectors do look at is the condition of driveways, sidewalks, landscaping, grading, decks, fences, gates, foundations, exterior walls, roofs, chimneys, trim, soffit, facia, basements, attics, crawl spaces, insulation, roof flashing, gutters, downspouts, plumbing lines, hose faucets, water heaters, fuel systems, heating and air conditioning systems, electrical wiring and paneling, doors, windows, ceilings, walls, floors, smoke detectors, garages, kitchens, appliances, venting systems, bathrooms, bedrooms and many other items.

Do home inspectors need to be licensed?

No. Not one state in the United States requires home inspectors be licensed.

However, if one wants to ensure that the inspector they hire is reputable, one should ensure that the inspector is at least bonded and state registered.

Some inspection companies even belong to Nationwide Home Inspection Agencies. Most reputable home inspection companies are listed with the Better Business Bureau and most are very well-known, as well as recommended by, all local real estate agencies.

Ken Howard is the owner and chief inspector of Collegiate Peaks Home Repair and Home Inspection. His business is fully bonded and state registered. Ken has bee conducting home inspections in the Chaffee, Lake and Park county area since 1995. He has a bachelor's degree in management and has been involved in property management for over twenty years.