by Francis Jock

Created on: November 07, 2008   Last Updated: April 27, 2012

The process of buying a home can be a harrowing task for a new home buyer. Once the buyer and the seller agree to the terms of the purchase offer, the real estate professional, agent or broker, get to work seeing to the completion of the requisite paperwork, including the Home Inspection Report. For all parties involved, especially the homebuyer and seller, the Home Inspection Report is important for legal as well as good-will reasons.

A Home Inspection Report is an independent appraisal of the home's condition, somewhat like a medical check up, where the patient is the home. The person inspecting the home is usually a licensed professional, although not all states require home inspectors to be licensed. The inspector conducts a detailed examination of the home's structure, utilities, services, building code compliance, safety and just about anything else that might be a problem for the new homeowner. The inspector would examine each area for deficiencies in operation from a health and safety aspect, and rate any deficiency in terms of its seriousness or urgency for repair.

Depending upon the structure and location of the home, a Home Inspection Report would cover just about everything, from the roof to the basement or crawlspace below. It should only be completed by a professional, and it is advisable to ensure that the person conducting the inspection is certified or licensed to do so. Ideally the inspector would include digital photographs along with the report as a matter of record. They are paid for their service and will sign the inspection report attesting to the accuracy of their statements concerning the home's condition and any problems that require attention before closing the sale. Obviously, a defect free Home Inspection Report is a very important aspect of the sales process.

Even newly constructed homes should have a completed Home Inspection Report included. New construction is especially required to be in compliance with the latest building code requirements and the Inspection attests to that. It will also point out and deficiency in the home's construction which may be the result of the builder trying to cut corners in order to save money while the buyer pays full price thinking that they are getting their dream home. Older homes, on the other hand, may have deficiencies, but these may be more likely to be the result of a do-it-yourself homeowner or a homeowner that hasn't kept up the premises. In many cases, changes in building codes may be "grandfathered"

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