What Happens at a Home Inspection - Homebuyer
If you are selling or buying a home, your Agent should be going over with you what to expect at a home inspection.
For our clients, I have provided this information:
Most homebuyers will choose to have a home inspection. It is done after being under contract on a property. Per our current multi-board real estate contract in the Chicago suburbs:
A buyer may conduct at the buyer's expense, any or all of the inspections of the real estate by one or more licensed or certified inspection service: a home inspection, radon test, environmental, lead-based paint, lead-based paint hazards, or wood-destroying insect infestation, or any other inspection desired by the buyer in the exercise of reasonable due diligence. A wood-destroying insect infestation test is a termite inspection
A request for repairs shall cover only the major components of the Real Estate, limited to central heating and cooling system(s), plumbing and well system, electrical system, roof, walls, windows, doors, ceilings and floors, appliances and foundation.
A major component shall be deemed to be in operating condition, and therefore not defective within the meaning of this paragraph, if it does not constitute a threat to health or safety, and performs the function for which it is intended, regardless of age or if it is near or at the end of its useful life.
Minor repairs, routine maintenance items and painting, decorating or other items of a cosmetic nature, no matter the cost to remedy same, do not constitute defects, are not part of this contingency and shall not be a basis for the Buyer to cancel the contract.
A request by Buyer for credits or repairs in violation of the terms of this subparagraph shall allow Seller to declare this Contract terminated and direct the return of the Buyer’s Earnest Money.
If radon mitigation is performed, Seller shall pay for any retest.
Buyer has 5 business days (10 calendar days for a lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazard inspection) after date of acceptance
Failure to conduct said inspection(s) and notify within the time specified operates as a waiver of Buyer’s rights to terminate the Contract
The above is per the 7.0 Multi-Board Residential Real Estate Contract in the Chicago Suburbs. As this may change, buyer should review his/her/their current contract and discuss with us/their Agent. This information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and is subject to change as the contract can be updated. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Home Inspectors usually inspect the:
Roof
Exterior of home
Heating system
Central air conditioning system (temperature permitting)
Interior plumbing
Electrical systems
Attic, including visible insulation
Walls
Ceilings
Floors
Windows and doors
Foundation
Basement / crawl space
Structural components
Appliances (running the washer, dryer, dishwasher, stove, microwave, etc.)
How long does a home inspection take?
The duration of the home inspection varies widely and can depend on:
The home size and home type
The findings or number of issues/defects
The thoroughness of the inspector
How well the owner prepared for the inspection
*This is for informational and education purposes only for our clients. When in doubt, ask your inspector(s) for confirmation as we are not licensed inspectors.
