Why should I get a Home Inspection?
Even if home sellers were 100% honest, home inspections almost always reveal concerns
that were not disclosed to you on the property condition report. Some of these item may
have been deliberately concealed from you and others may have been truly unknown by
the seller. For the protection of your major investment, as well as, for your own personal
education concerning the property you are buying, you should unquestionably have a
home inspection. Furthermore, new homes are just as important to have inspected as old
homes. Many builders are subject to the workmanship of their subcontractors who are
often in a hurry to get to their next project. Corners may be cut with knowledge that the
average home buyer will never recognize these concerns until the subcontractors are long
gone.
Who conducts home inspections?
All home inspectors in the state of Wisconsin are required to be registered with the State of
Wisconsin to assure you a " minimum" of competency. You should make sure that your
home inspector is an active member of the Wisconsin Association of Home Inspectors
(WAHI) so you know they are staying abreast of the most current construction defects and
recalls. I recommend for you to ask your home inspector about credentials, how soon you
will receive your written report and the amount of time they will spend with you on site.
What is included in a home inspection?
Wisconsin State law was written to assure that you will have all of the major structural,
electrical, plumbing, and mechanical operating systems inspected during your inspection.
Other hazards, if known and observed by the inspector, will also be reported on. There are
limitations, such as a home inspector is not required/allowed to cut holes in walls, pulling up
flooring, remove blocked accesses, or enter unsafe areas during the inspection. While
inspectors are obligated by state law to stand behind their work, they cannot predict the
future performance of any home, therefore, guarantees or warranties are not included with
an inspection. Home owner warranties are available for purchase through Realtors and are
sometime included by sellers as a purchasing incentive. The true purpose of an inspection
is to reduce the risk of your investment, not eliminate it.
How much time does an inspection take?
A good home inspection should take from 3 to 4 hours on average. This greatly depends
on the size and condition of the property being inspected.
Can I attend the inspection?
You should absolutely attend your inspection. It will be an invaluable experience for you.
While the information regarding your real-estate transaction will be contained in your
report, bring along a note book is a good idea. Your inspector will likely be sharing a lot of
information with you that may exceed the scope of the inspection, but could save you
money later on if you follow the advice. Plan on attending the entire inspection, but if you
cannot, at least attend the last half so the discoveries can be pointed out to you directly.
What is a defect(concern) and what happens if defects are discovered?
Defects are almost always discovered during inspections, even on brand new homes. Your
real estate agent or attorney will help you to determine which items meet the legal definition
of a defect. Defects can be accepted, negotiated, or rejected depending on you and the
language in your contract. Most often they are negotiated with the selling party. Any
defects discovered during the inspection and subsequently revealed to the seller must
legally be disclosed by the seller to any future buyers. This makes it in the best interest of
the selling party to work something out with you the buyer for a faster transaction.
Ultimately, you are the final judge as to what you will or will not accept. Your home inspector
cannot make these decisions for you.
What is a home inspection report?
A home inspection report is not a pass or fail test. The inspection report documents the
current conditions of the property in writing. All reports are to contain all of the information
required by the state. Inspection reports do not state any costs or methods of repairs, nor
do they predict the future life expectancies of components. To obtain estimates for cost or
to have a specific component further evaluated, it is necessary to contact professional
service companies and contractors.
Even if home sellers were 100% honest, home inspections almost always reveal concerns
that were not disclosed to you on the property condition report. Some of these item may
have been deliberately concealed from you and others may have been truly unknown by
the seller. For the protection of your major investment, as well as, for your own personal
education concerning the property you are buying, you should unquestionably have a
home inspection. Furthermore, new homes are just as important to have inspected as old
homes. Many builders are subject to the workmanship of their subcontractors who are
often in a hurry to get to their next project. Corners may be cut with knowledge that the
average home buyer will never recognize these concerns until the subcontractors are long
gone.
Who conducts home inspections?
All home inspectors in the state of Wisconsin are required to be registered with the State of
Wisconsin to assure you a " minimum" of competency. You should make sure that your
home inspector is an active member of the Wisconsin Association of Home Inspectors
(WAHI) so you know they are staying abreast of the most current construction defects and
recalls. I recommend for you to ask your home inspector about credentials, how soon you
will receive your written report and the amount of time they will spend with you on site.
What is included in a home inspection?
Wisconsin State law was written to assure that you will have all of the major structural,
electrical, plumbing, and mechanical operating systems inspected during your inspection.
Other hazards, if known and observed by the inspector, will also be reported on. There are
limitations, such as a home inspector is not required/allowed to cut holes in walls, pulling up
flooring, remove blocked accesses, or enter unsafe areas during the inspection. While
inspectors are obligated by state law to stand behind their work, they cannot predict the
future performance of any home, therefore, guarantees or warranties are not included with
an inspection. Home owner warranties are available for purchase through Realtors and are
sometime included by sellers as a purchasing incentive. The true purpose of an inspection
is to reduce the risk of your investment, not eliminate it.
How much time does an inspection take?
A good home inspection should take from 3 to 4 hours on average. This greatly depends
on the size and condition of the property being inspected.
Can I attend the inspection?
You should absolutely attend your inspection. It will be an invaluable experience for you.
While the information regarding your real-estate transaction will be contained in your
report, bring along a note book is a good idea. Your inspector will likely be sharing a lot of
information with you that may exceed the scope of the inspection, but could save you
money later on if you follow the advice. Plan on attending the entire inspection, but if you
cannot, at least attend the last half so the discoveries can be pointed out to you directly.
What is a defect(concern) and what happens if defects are discovered?
Defects are almost always discovered during inspections, even on brand new homes. Your
real estate agent or attorney will help you to determine which items meet the legal definition
of a defect. Defects can be accepted, negotiated, or rejected depending on you and the
language in your contract. Most often they are negotiated with the selling party. Any
defects discovered during the inspection and subsequently revealed to the seller must
legally be disclosed by the seller to any future buyers. This makes it in the best interest of
the selling party to work something out with you the buyer for a faster transaction.
Ultimately, you are the final judge as to what you will or will not accept. Your home inspector
cannot make these decisions for you.
What is a home inspection report?
A home inspection report is not a pass or fail test. The inspection report documents the
current conditions of the property in writing. All reports are to contain all of the information
required by the state. Inspection reports do not state any costs or methods of repairs, nor
do they predict the future life expectancies of components. To obtain estimates for cost or
to have a specific component further evaluated, it is necessary to contact professional
service companies and contractors.
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