If you’re buying or selling a home in Royal Oak, a professional home inspection is strongly advised. But what exactly does a comprehensive inspection entail?
As your local real estate provider, I want to demystify the home inspection process from start to finish. Consider this your guide to everything you need to know about home inspections in Royal Oak!
Why Inspections Matter
Before we dive into what’s inspected, let’s discuss why getting an evaluation is so important for any Royal Oak home transaction.
Having an unbiased third party thoroughly examine the home provides key benefits:
- An objective assessment of the home’s condition from roof to foundation
- Identification of issues that may require repairs or affect value
- Documentation of overall condition for the buyer’s protection
- Alerting the seller to flaws they can address before listing
- Catching urgent issues early that could impact safety or livability if left unaddressed
In short, an inspection brings peace of mind and reduces risk for both parties. Both buyers and sellers have much to gain from this process.
Choosing the Right Inspector
Not all home inspectors are created equal. You want to hire an inspector with:
- Extensive experience inspecting Royal Oak homes specifically
- Proper licensing as required in Michigan
- Advanced certifications (ASHI, InterNACHI, etc.)
- A great reputation based on reviews and referrals
- Strong communication skills to explain their findings
- A track record of thorough, detailed inspection reports
Look for a well-qualified Home Inspection Royal Oak specialist you can trust will be extremely thorough. This is not the area to cut corners.
What’s Inspected?
So what exactly will a comprehensive home inspection cover? Here are the key systems and areas the inspector will evaluate:
Roof and Attic
- Roof age, wear, damage and estimated remaining life
- Chimneys, vents and flashing
- Soffits and fascia
- Attic insulation, ventilation and air flow
- Signs of leaks or moisture damage
Exterior
- Condition of siding, trim, paint and caulk
- Windows, doors, decks, porches for function and wear
- Drainage issues around the foundation
Structure
- Foundation for cracks or shifting
- Basement moisture or leaks
- Levelness of walls and floors
- Ceilings and walls checked for signs of sagging
Electrical
- Main panel safety and function
- Outlets, switches and fixtures tested
- Wire gauge, circuits and grounding
Plumbing
- Pipes, fixtures, pressure, drainage
- Water heater safety and leaks
- Functional testing of fixtures
- Well water flow and quality
HVAC
- Condition of heating and cooling equipment
- Ductwork, vents for leaks or detachment
- Thermostats, insulation and air flow
Interior Spaces
- Walls, floors and ceilings inspected for stains or damage
- Doors, windows and cabinets tested
- Overall ventilation and energy efficiency
Garage
- Garage door function and safety sensors
- Garage foundation, walls, roof
- Automatic opener functionality
Patio and Deck
- Electrical outlets, lighting and fans
- Railings, steps and trim
- Underdeck moisture or damage
- Grading and drainage
Pools and Hot Tubs
- Structural condition
- Pumps and filtration
- Leaks or liner damage
- Electrical safety
- Proper barriers and access
Outdoor Structures
- Sheds, pergolas, gazebos inspected
- Retaining walls and fencing
- Walkways, patios, driveways
As you can see, inspectors will assess both the home’s systems as well as the general condition inside and out.
What’s NOT Included in the Inspection?
While comprehensive, there are limitations on what falls under the inspector’s scope. A few examples of what won’t be inspected:
- Termite or pest damage
- Assessing repairs that were done in the past
- Testing alarm systems
- Phone lines or cable/internet
- Recalling service records
- Examining areas not easily accessible
Cosmetic issues like carpet stains or minor paint flaws will also be noted but not be a major focus.
The Inspection Process
Now let’s talk through what you can expect during the inspection appointment itself:
Inspection Length: The average single family detached home inspection takes 2 to 3 hours, sometimes longer for significantly large custom homes. The inspector will be very thorough!
Attending the Inspection – The buyer is highly encouraged to attend the inspection in person. This allows you to see the home through the inspector’s eyes and ask questions. Just don’t obstruct their workflow.
Tools Used : Quality inspectors will utilize specialized tools such as moisture meters, outlet testers, thermal imaging cameras, endoscopes, and more to evaluate the home accurately.
Evaluating the Home – The inspector will examine the property methodically from the roof and exterior to the foundation and all systems in between. Expect them to take photos and copious notes along the way documenting their findings.
Identifying Issues – Homes are rarely perfect. Inspectors will call out any issues with the home’s systems and condition – both major and minor. Most homes have at least a few anticipated repairs needed.
Recommending Improvements : Beyond repairs, inspectors may suggest preventative maintenance or upgrades to improve the home’s function, efficiency and lifespan. But these are optional, not mandatory fixes.
Asking Questions : Don’t be afraid to ask inspectors questions as they work! They want you to fully understand the home. If you don’t understand something in their report later, speak up!
Wrapping Up – The inspector will review their major findings with you at the end and get your contact info for sending the full detailed report. This comes via email usually within 48 hours.
In a nutshell, that’s how a standard home inspection appointment will flow.
The Inspection Report
As mentioned, you’ll receive a comprehensive written report summarizing the inspection findings within a day or two. Here are some things to expect in the report:
Overview – A summary of the home’s overall condition and highlights any urgent repair needs. They’ll note if issues seem beyond the norm for the home’s age.
Details – A room-by-room breakdown documenting any issues found, however minor. They’ll include photos tied to each finding.
Recommendations – Suggested repairs and improvements with estimated time frames and costs for addressing them.
Maintenance Advice – Tips for regular maintenance of systems and areas prone to wear. Guidance tailored to the specific home.
Opinions of Major Issues – For any major flaws uncovered, inspectors will indicate their assessment of severity and potential next steps.
Negotiation Assistance – The inspector can help you determine appropriate next steps for the issues found – which to negotiate with the seller vs. not worry about.
The report provides an invaluable long-term reference document for repair needs and maintaining your investment.
What Comes Next?
After the inspection, here’s how to move forward:
Review Findings : Go through the report fully and make lists of which issues are immediate necessities vs. longer term improvements. Discuss with your real estate agent as needed.
Arrange Repairs : Based on inspection findings, submit repair requests to the seller in writing. Be reasonable – focus on safety concerns and functional issues vs. minor cosmetics.
Ask for Credits : Alternatively, sellers can provide credits or cost reductions at closing rather than completing repairs, leaving flexibility for the buyer to hire companies they prefer.
Renegotiate Price : For major issues, renegotiating a lower purchase price may be warranted based on the scope of flaws uncovered.
Terminate Contract : If there are deal-breaking issues and an impasse with the seller, terminating the contract is possible per your inspection contingency clause. But this is a last resort move. Seek solutions first.
In most cases, sellers will work with you reasonably to address issues found. This inspection process aims to make the transaction fair for both parties.
Why It’s Worth It
I know home inspections add time and costs upfront. But they provide immense value that more than justifies the investment:
Avoided Surprises : Finding issues early on avoids unpleasant and costly surprises down the road after moving in. Better to know now!
Informed Negotiation : The inspection gives you an objective, data-backed platform to negotiate repairs and pricing fairly, removing guesswork or emotions.
Leverage Inspector Expertise : Inspectors often find things even the seller was unaware of. Tap into their knowledge rather than relying on your amateur assessment.
Total Impartiality : Home inspectors only care about the true condition of the home – period. You need that impartial data point.
Added Safety :Identifying safety hazards, electrical issues, structural concerns etc. enhances safety for your family – what could be more valuable!
Save Major Expenses : Paying for an inspection seems small compared to shelling out $10K later for a new roof or flooding damage repairs that could have been caught early.
Peace of Mind : Most importantly, inspections bring peace of mind knowing you have a complete picture of the home’s condition before finalizing a purchase.
So in summary
Yes, a home inspection in Royal Oak requires some extra legwork. But it’s a smart investment that ultimately saves money, headaches, and regret down the road.
Let me know if you have any other home buying questions! I’m always happy to help walk you through the process.
