A home inspection is not an appraisal, nor many other things

5 Points of Consideration for What a Home Inspection is “NOT”

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5 Points of Consideration for What a Home Inspection and Report are NOT:

  1. The inspection is not a warranty, guarantee or insurance policy. Systems and components are visually inspected and operated with normal controls without regard to life expectancy as specified in the NYS Home Inspection Standards of Practice
  1. The inspection and report are not a substitute for the Real Estate Property Disclosure document furnished by the seller
  1. This building inspection is not an engineering analysis, building code compliance report, certificate of occupancy, or zoning ordinance report.  The inspection process and report are not designed or intended to be technically exhaustive
  1. This inspection is not a property survey or property appraisal of value

The home inspection and report do not include the following whether concealed or not:

  • Fire and security systems testing
  • Intercoms, telephones, televisions, satellite systems testing
  • Cables systems components and wiring inspections
  • Radio controlled devices, elevators, lifts and dumbwaiters inspections
  • Timer controls for thermostats, lighting, hot water set-backs, motion sensors, etc. testing
  • Water softeners, water filters and any other treatment or purification systems inspections
  • Pools, spas, saunas, steam bath fixtures and components inspections, unless specifically ordered by client as an additional service
  • Asbestos, lead, formaldehyde, electromagnetic radiation, radon, mold testing
  • Above ground storage tanks inspection
  • Underground storage tanks inspection
  • Any other environmental hazard inspection, unless specifically ordered by client as an additional service
  • Termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, borers or any other wood-destroying inspect inspection, unless specifically ordered by the client as an additional service
  • Private wells, water flow rates, water purity, water potability, water lead, water nitrates/nitrites, private septic system components and effectiveness inspections, unless specifically ordered by the client as an additional service
  • Kitchen and laundry appliances testing, unless ordered by the client as an additional service
What is a real home inspection?

10 Points of Consideration for What a Home Inspection “IS”

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What the home inspection “IS”

  1. This is a visual inspection of the general systems and components in order to identify items in need of immediate major repair or replacment. A component or system that has been identified as Significantly deficient is unsafe and/or not functioning as designed in the opinion of the inspector.
  1. This inspection is performed without the use of invasive or destructive measures.
  1. Only readily accessible areas are inspected.  In the event an area is blocked, sealed or concealed, we will not forcibly gain access. No destructive testing or dismantling is performed.  Client assumes all responsibilities pertaining to the conditions of the areas that are concealed.
  1. The inspector is a generalist and is not an expert in any particular area or trade.
  1. The inspection is performed in compliance with the standards of practice established for Home Inspectors by the State of New York.
  2. Any follow-up recommendations, as noted on the Summary and Recommendations sections in the report are the responsibility of the client.
  3. The inspection report reflects the observed conditions at the time of the inspection.
  4. Client must call 607-684-4167 immediately with any concerns contrary to the reported conditions.  Contact us prior to making repairs unless there is an emergency situation.
  5. The content and findings of the report are confidential.  The release of information contained in the report is prohibited without the permission of the client and inspection company.
  6. Just like two homes are alike, not two inspectors or inspection reports are alike. Although we endeavor to write all reports objectively, without regard to any party’s personal or financial interests, additional inspections, investigations and testing should be considered.
Home inspection software and computer system setup

About Home Inspectors advanced computer system

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How Our Unique & Custom Computer Systems Benefit Clients

How does it benefit the customer?

If you were to combine and layout the 300+ photos taken at the inspection site, and you turn it into one giant image, you end up with a 5 ft x 5ft image, which tells you that Rick is indeed taking more than 300 pictures. Most inspectors take only a dozen or so photos and use their tablet or laptop to view them for issues. We know most people are visual and sometimes the photos explain issues better than any words can. Of course you will also find explanations that go with the photos.

The Hardware

2 High resolution monitors are coupled with a computer gaming speed of graphic card that accelerates the editing of all those photos. Other home inspectors are amazed at how we can even take 300+ photos let alone manage all of those photos to corresponding data!

Master of Technology

It was 1987 when Rick Bates wrote one of the first ever computer database driven inspection programs that tracked characteristics by feature, address, zip code right down to the model of thermostat.

The Software

We bought Dragon dictation software at version 1.0.  Today we are regularly using the state-of-the-art version 15! to describe our inspection findings.  Each report is customized with 100+ photos, specific descriptions and actionable recommendations.  Most inspectors use templated reports with check boxes that are lacking the attention to detail and are challenging to understand.

Not many in the home inspection industry have invested so heavily in the computer hardware and software to generate complete, accurate and concise reports that are graphics rich and informative (almost fun) to read.  See our unique “Gold Standard” report

Home buyer signs the mortgage papers

Top 10 Buyer Benefits of a Home Inspection

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Ten Home Buyer Benefits:

  1. Lower your risks of making a mistake by being informed of conditions that may or may not have been known or disclosed
  2. Gain peace of mind in knowing what condition the property you are buying is in
  3. Make smarter decisions.  No home is perfect and you will be able to factor in any repairs that are needed
  4. Get expert advice and knowledge from the most respected and prestigious home inspectors in the area
  5. Have a trusted , unbiased advisor who is working for you and always has your best interest in mind
  6. Experience the highest professional standards, policies and procedures in the home inspection industry
  7. Your home inspection report will the easiest to read and understand of any document ever while being very thorough
  8. The report will provide guidance in maintaining your home going forward
  9. Paul Peck is the most credentialed home inspector professional in the area
  10. We are approved instructors and trainers for home inspectors and Realtors.  Area competitors take our continuing education courses:  Why hire the student when you can have the teacher?
Seller of home gives keys to buyer of home

Top 10 Home Seller Benefits

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The Top 10 Benefits for Home Sellers

  1.  Be Proactive

    The home inspection industry has been designed around the home buyer.  Why not take the initiative and utilize the numerous benefits buyers have when using a home inspector?  Best practice is to get the most respected home inspector in your area to work for you.

  2. Know what you are selling

    Buyer home inspections are typically done after a contract has been approved.  That is no time to discover new and negative information about your home.  Be prepared and reduce surprises

  3. Prevent renegotiation of your selling price

    By giving the inspection report to the buyer before entering into a contract.  It is common that once a home inspection is performed and any major issues are found that the buyer wants to either have them corrected, get a credit at closing, or worse.

  4. Keep your deal from dying

    Realtors often claim that the home inspector killed the deal…So why not have the inspection on the front end?  The home inspection for the buyer is done at the worst possible time and only fuels buyer feelings of second thoughts and cold feet.

  5. Expedite the closing

    Some popular buyer mortgages, i.e. FHA, VA, USDA require homes to be in a certain minimum conditions and free of even small defects.  Know what they are by having one of our inspections before your home is listed for sale.  This will speed up the closing process.

  6. To repair or not to repair

    You have a contract with a buyer. Then the appraisal for the buyer’s lender is done which finds items in need of repair as mentioned above.  Are you prepared to make those repairs which will cost you time and money?  Do you think the buyer, acting under attorney advice, will make repairs on a property the buyer does not yet own?

  7. No wasted effort

    Your property may be in such a condition that in order to avoid the issues identified above you may choose to not accept an offer that is contingent upon a specific type of mortgage.  You will know this beforehand and no efforts have been wasted.

  8. Your team

    Between our inspection findings and your professional Realtor’s recommendations, you will be making the best choices of what and what not to do in preparing your home for sale.

  9. Mini Report Booklets

    We provide all our seller clients an unlimited supply of  mini-report booklets that can be put out for any open house or showings so that your property stands out from the rest.  We have field testing this process with several variations to know which one works the best to help expedite your sale.

  10. Earlier rather than later

    Since 1987 it was clear that both buyers and sellers would benefit most by having the home inspection done earlier rather than later.  This is like getting a Car Fax report on a vehicle before the purchase.  This is absolutely a “Best Practice” that is finally catching on for those buyers who want to sell their home faster, with fewer showings, less required repairs to make, and for more money since no re-negotiations were needed once the buyer found out what “As Is Condition” really means.

Questions? Give us a call at (607) 684-4167