The home inspection process that occurs after you make an offer on a Michigan home may be unfamiliar to you. The technical term in Real Estate is, “Home Inspection Contingency.” Learn what a general home inspection is and what a home inspector is looking for on the buyer’s behalf.

What Is a Home Inspection?

Professional home inspectors investigate your home, townhome, new construction home on offer for problems from top to bottom. Some home inspections are requested by a seller prior to putting the home the market. This is called a Pre-Listing home inspection. The home inspection is a homebuyers perfect opportunity to asses a home’s condition before they proceed forward in the purchase.

As a Michigan home buyer, you always get to choose your home inspector. Your Michigan Real Estate agent will have some great suggestions of inspection companies they have worked with for your consideration.

What a General Home Inspection Is

Home inspections provide a homebuyer a better understanding of the visible and accessible components of a home and it’s major systems. (plumbing, roof, HVAC, appliances, foundation etc.)

• A home inspection is not the same as an appraisal of the property’s value. Appraisals are completed by a home appraiser.

• Home inspections do not guarantee compliance with local building codes, which are subject to change, or protect you if an inspected item fails in the future.
• The inspection is an assessment of the property, as it is on the day of the inspection. (Taking into account normal wear and tear.)
• A home inspection is a snapshot of the house’s condition and what type of maintenance or repairs (if any) that will need to happen in the future.

What Do Home Inspectors Look At In The Home?

A Home Inspector Don’t Always Find a Serious Issue

There is serious remorse among two-thirds of all buyers who waived their home inspection contingency. In the historic and frenzied pandemic seller’s market many buyers felt pressure to waive home inspections. They ended up discovering, expensive or dangerous home issues.

In one case, a homeowner learned their water contained dangerous levels of arsenic; in another case, a homeowner who waived the inspection also skipped a video sewer inspection. This owner, discovered a break in the line between the house and the city line! This allowed sewage to leak into the plumbing of the house! 

Although there may be certain home inspection findings that are concerning, it’s not always the case. Not all home inspections result in drastic defects or uncover anything major.

All homebuyers, from first-time buyers to upgraders, benefit from an inspection as it teaches them everything they need to know about the most important investment of their lives.

What Home Inspectors Do Not Inspect

The home inspection is a deep and thorough investigation of the home; from the foundation to the attic. Take a look at some of the items a home inspector cannot inspect.

• Anything blocked or locked. The inspector can’t move the items. Make sure access to attics or other important areas are accessible.
• Home value isn’t accessed by a home inspector. Only a qualified appraiser can assess the home’s fair market value.
• Well or Septic systems. You will need to locate a Well or Sewer inspector that specializes in that.
• Paint, wallpaper or home furnishings or landscaping
• Local code compliance

What are Home Inspection Testing Services?

Home inspectors offer a variety of extra services they are certified in. Top Floor Home Inspection offers comprehensive testing and lab analysis services that a homebuyer often needs a closer look at.