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A "Home Inspection" is a very common contingency for the purchase and sale of most properties. Customarily the home inspection which is not mandatory but highly recommended, should be completed within the next seven (7) calendar days. A home inspection covers serious structural or mechanical defects as well as the facade, roof, windows, basement, heating, air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, outside spaces, parking, etc. In addition, all appliances as well as the kitchen and bathroom fixtures are assumed to be in "good working order" unless otherwise already disclosed. However a home inspection is not intended to cover cosmetics and/or routine maintenance! Please keep in mind that it is customary for the buyer to assume responsibility for the first one thousand dollars in aggregate repairs in an effort to avoid disputes over minor issues. I respectfully suggest that all home inspection issues and repairs be negotiated by your legal counsel, and not the real estate agents!
With all due respect, Sellers really should not be present at the time of the home inspection, but all buyers should absolutely be present for the home inspection
which usually takes anywhere between one to three hours depending upon the square footage and the number of questions you may have. Please call me with at least 24 hour notice and I will schedule the appointment with all the other necessary parties and provide access to whatever is applicable: systems and/or basement, utilities, roof, facade and rear of building, outside space and parking. Please call my cell at 617 283-5044 or email: Rich@RichHaen.com to schedule the home inspection. Please try to avoid weekends!
  
Current legislation requires home inspectors to be more accountable to consumers. The State has also created a board of registration to issue state licensed requiring home inspectors to attend yearly continuing education and carry errors and omission insurance coverage. Please check out The American Society of Home Inspectors www.ashi.com which offers information in regard to home inspections, building defects and various issues you may want to review. A list of licensed home inspectors can be found by searching the Division of Professional Licensure website at
www.state.ma.us/reg/boards/hi. You might also like to read the Legal Update in regards to home inspection issues as well as the State of Massachusetts Facts for the Consumer in regards to Home Inspection issues.
The experiences of most buyers have shown that the home inspector should be familiar with condominiums as well as single family homes. It is a good idea to consult with friends, relatives, neighbors and business associates for home inspection recommendations. Alternately, most attorneys would also be a good resource for an unbiased recommendation. The cost is customarily between
$250.00 and $500.00 (depending upon the square footage of the property)
and would be non-refundable should the buyer not proceed with this transaction. An inspection can usually be scheduled with a 2-day advance notice and most home inspectors will submit the written report on the spot or within 24 hours.
Recommendations
More importantly, you will learn many things about your new property such as maintenance schedules, location of mechanicals and to receive a general sense of understanding the basics of your new home. If I am representing you as a Buyer's Agent I can recommend licensed home inspectors. Here is a list of my personal favorites. Please allow at least 24 hours for return phone calls:
Neither REMAX nor its agents assume any responsibility for the services of the aforementioned parties. This list is simply a matter of courtesy, consult your yellow pages for additional companies. We strongly suggest that you contact the Better Business Bureau @ 617 426-9000 or write The BBB @ 20 Park Plaza, Suite 820, Boston MA 02116-4404 (www.bbb.org).
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