A home inspector work can be both challenging and rewarding. Delivering bad news to homebuyers isn’t always easy, but revealing safety hazards or major issues can help buyers walk away from a deal.

A good home inspector can spot the basics, like overloaded electrical outlets. But they’ll also look for other problems that are harder to spot.

Qualifications

A home inspector must meet specific qualifications and follow a set of professional standards. These include obtaining a high school diploma or GED certificate, passing the required exam and completing training courses. Additionally, you must have a current license from the Department of State and carry insurance.

You must be able to communicate effectively with prospective homeowners and real estate agents, as well as work in various weather conditions. This job can also be stressful, as you may have to deliver unfavorable news about a potential problem with a property.

A standard home inspection includes an examination of the exterior, interior and structural components of a house. For example, a home inspector will check the plumbing for visible leaks and ensure that the electrical system is functioning properly. In addition, they will inspect the attic and visible insulation, and examine the roof and foundation for issues. They will also test all outlets for safety, and make sure that there are working ground fault circuit interrupters in place.

Inspections

Home inspections are often a buyer’s only chance to find out about problems before they close on a purchase. A good home inspector will be able to identify many issues that could cost the buyer money down the road and may even recommend follow up evaluations by a specialist.

A home inspector will thoroughly examine the structure of the house, looking for things like wood rot and foundation issues. He or she will also look at the plumbing systems including the showers, sinks, toilets, and faucets to see how they are functioning and what kind of pipes they are made of.

Having a home inspection done can save buyers from buying a money pit and allow them to negotiate with the seller about resolving any problems before closing. A home inspection is a vital part of the New York real estate process and should never be skipped. Your real estate agent can recommend a qualified home inspector or you can search online for an experienced professional.

Reports

A home inspector typically prepares a written report about the condition of a home and its systems. The report contains information about the property that can help a buyer make an informed buying decision. It can also aid real estate agents and mortgage lenders. The report may also serve as a record of the home’s condition for future reference.

Generally, the home inspection includes an evaluation of the following:

The report should include clear language so that the reader understands the description of the condition of the home. In addition, the home inspector should disclaim any portions of the home that he cannot inspect, such as those behind walls, ceilings or floors. Many inspectors use a color-coded system to indicate the condition of items in the home: green means good, blue indicates some concern and red indicates a major problem that needs repair. Some inspectors will also provide photographs with their reports. This helps the client visualize the problem.

Recommendations

Home inspectors recommend repairs based on their findings. However, they’re not required to provide a specific cost or time frame for these recommendations. This can leave buyers in limbo as they weigh whether to move forward with the purchase.

For example, if a roof has an anticipated life of 20 years, but it’s currently 12 years old, the inspector may recommend that you have it replaced. The problem here is that extraneous factors, such as regional weather conditions, can prevent structures from reaching their predicted lifespans.

In addition to looking at the structural integrity of the house, home inspectors also examine interior rooms. They’re on the lookout for leaning walls that indicate faulty framing, and stained ceilings that may reveal water problems. They also ensure that heating and cooling vents are properly sized and that plumbing is in good condition.