Home Inspection Questions and Answers

Home Inspection questions and answers.

Foreclosed homes are often left in poor condition by the previous owners. Safety is always major concern, not all properties meet a standard of habitability.

We take the guess work out of buying a home!

Is a foreclosed property safe to buy?

We help you with a detailed report that will give you a much clearer picture of the property prior to purchase. Every house should be inspected not just foreclosed houses.

Q : What is a Home Inspection?

A: A home inspection is a non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home. This is carried out by a home inspector, who usually has special equipment and training to carry out such inspections. A home inspection report is then issued by the home inspector.

Many home inspectors use home inspection software. Great West uses digital reporting to complete your inspection and they incorporate the report with color pictures. When the report is finished it is emailed directly to you as a PDF file. Great West also utilizes IR Infrared Camera Technology.

Our Company has over 20 years of experience and qualifications. We also check for recalled items that may or not be installed. In recent years there have been recalls on a number of appliances and electrical components, which include some smoke detection devices.

Go to our Consumer Recall Page for more information.

Q: What is the Inspector looking for during a home inspection?

A: A Home Inspector will check the roof, foundation/basement, heating system, water heater, air-conditioning system, structure, plumbing, electrical, and many other aspects of buildings looking for improper building practices, those items that require extensive repairs, items that are general maintenance issues, as well as some fire and safety issues. Home owners or home buyers often use a home inspection service before selling or buying their houses. The Great West Home Inspector conducts a thorough examination of a home to detect any potential problems with systems or components requiring attention. A home owner receives a detailed report of the condition of the house from Great West so that you may plan for needed repairs and upgrades when it is time to make them. See our Inspection details page.

Q: Is a Home Inspection the same as an Appraisal?

A: A home inspector is sometimes confused with a real estate appraiser. A home inspector determines the condition of a structure, whereas an appraiser determines the value of a property. Great West performs home inspections, take a look at our sample inspection for more details.

Q: Why is a home inspection important?

A: Home Buyers: Emotion often affects the buyer and makes it hard to see any existing, or potential future problems with their new home. A buyer should have a home inspection to find out all the problems possible with the home before moving in. Great West looks in detail at the house inside and outside, to make sure you are fully aware of the possible defects, or components condition of the property in real time prior to closing.

A: Home Sellers: More and more sellers are choosing to have a thorough inspection before or when they first list their home. First and foremost, you should have a home inspection for full disclosure. You will have demonstrated that you did all you could do to reveal any defects within the home. Second, you will save money and hassle by knowing now what your defects are, not after you have already negotiated a price and are faced with costly repairs discovered on the buyers inspection. Defects found before the buyer comes along allow you to shop around for a contractor and not deal with inflated estimates that a buyer will present. Sellers inspections allow you and the potential buyer to see the property in its current condition and can save you time and money down the road.

Q: Does the house inspected get some kind of a grade when it is done?

A: No, A home cannot "fail" an inspection, as there is no score or passing grade given. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of a house. It is not an appraisal. It is not a municipal inspection, which verifies local building code code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but rather describe its physical condition and indicate what components and systems may need a major or minor repair or replacement. Great West does not grade houses, nor do we pass or fail any property. We will give you a comprehensive report and give you our professional opinion on the condition of the components of the house.

Q: How much does it cost? Is it worth it?

A: The average inspection fee $250.00 to $350.00.Our fees our based on the square footage of the house we are inspecting, click Residential Fees for more details. A home inspection can often pay for itself by what is uncovered during the inspection, HVAC, Roofing, Foundation, Electrical, & Plumbing repairs.... the list is long and can be expensive!

Q: Should I attend the home inspection?

A: It is often helpful to be there so the home inspector can explain in person and answer any questions you may have. This is an excellent way to learn about your new home even if no problems are found. But be sure to give the home inspector time and space to concentrate and focus so he can do the best job possible for you. At Great West we are grateful to serve the customer and you are always welcome to attend the inspection. Inspections normally take two to three hours to perform on-site. Great West Inspectors publish the report off site which usually will involve another two hours of development time.

Call us today to Schedule your home Inspection.

209-658-5066

NACHI Certified Master Inspector

Fifteen Years Experience Serving Merced, Los Banos, Atwater, Turlock, Modesto