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Guide to Whole House
Inspections
Generally, a
whole house inspection is intended to disclose any major defect that
might materially affect the property: not minor, routine maintenance
and repair items. The inspection is in no way a guarantee or warranty
and does not replace homeowners warranty insurance.
 | Appearance
of home from outside: Sidewalk, driveway, brick, wood siding,
chimney, foundation, grading around the home, roof, down spouts
and gutters, windows and trim |
| Entire
house: Random electrical outlets, doors, random windows, walls,
floors, ceilings, heat vents, fireplaces |
| Basement:
Floor, foundation walls, electrical panel box, subflooring, support
beams and support joists, plumbing, heating, water heater, air-conditioning
(except in winter months) |
| Kitchen
and bathrooms: Kitchen appliances such as range, refrigerator,
dishwasher, disposal, water pressure, drain pipes, toilets, sinks,
cabinets, fans, shower, bath tub |
| Attic:
Insulation, roof supports, vents |
| Garage:
Walls, floors, garage door, automatic garage door opener, fire
safety |
Items generally
not inspected:
| Security
systems, pools, pool equipment, hot tub, radon, asbestos, lead,
indications of wood destroying insects |
The inspector
will ask the person paying for the inspection to sign an agreement
before proceeding. Payment for the inspection is usually due at the
time of inspection. Most
inspectors will prefer that the buyer (if they are paying for the
inspection) be present. It is not necessary for the sellers to accompany
the inspector throughout the house; however, they may if they so choose.
The Realtor may be present. Some inspectors may inspect items not
included in this guide. A written report will be provided to the person
paying for the inspection. You may wish to have additional items inspected
that are not included in the whole house inspection. Recommendations
from people who have had satisfactory experiences with inspectors
in the past is one method of selecting a firm. If you must select
at random, check the Yellow Pages under Building Inspection Services.
Further, check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if any
complaints have been filed against any company that your are considering. These
suggestions are for informational purposes only and are not intended
to be a prerequisite to the inspection. Information obtained from
the Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors.
Contingencies
Buyers and Sellers
will typically outline conditions of sale in a contract to purchase.
The sales will be contingent on certain terms or events. It is critical
that these intentions are communicated clearly and concisely in writing.
The contingency itself should specify what will happen and when it
will happen. The contingency must also provide for the contract to
be canceled or renegotiated and for earnest money distribution, in
the event the contingency can not be satisfied. Contingencies should
be written and reviewed with great care. The following areas are often
incorporated into purchase contracts as contingencies.
| Financing;
type of financing, interest rate, amount financed, and number of
years for amortization |
| Whole House
Inspection |
| Limited Inspections
ex. Structure, Roof, Mechanics, Electric, Plumbing |
| Termite and
Wood Destroying Insect Inspection |
| Survey |
| Verifying
Zoning, Covenants and or Restrictions |
| Sale of Present
Home |
The Expertise
of a AMERICAN REAL ESTATE Sales Associate always provides valuable assistance.
For more information, please contact an
A.R.E. Representative
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