Buyers' Home Inspections

A home inspection is supposed to give you peace of mind, but often you will have to absorb a lot of information in a short time: a written report, checklist, photographs, environmental reports, and what the inspector himself says during the inspection. All this combined with the seller's disclosure and what you notice yourself makes the experience sometimes overwhelming.

What should you do?

Relax. Most of your inspection will be maintenance recommendations, life expectancies and minor imperfections. These are nice to know about. However, the issues that really matter will fall into four categories:

Major defects such as a structural failure.
Things that lead to major defects, such as small roof-flashing leaks.
Things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy, or insure the home.
Safety hazards, such as an exposed, live buss bar at the electric panel.

Anything in these categories should be addressed. Often a serious problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect both life and property, especially in categories 2 and 4.

Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of defects uncovered during an inspection; but, sellers are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the report.

Our Professional Inspections address thoroughly all potential issues in checking over 80 items and 400 points.

See a Sample of our Home Inspection Report

Keep in mind that No home is perfect!

And Keep things in perspective. Don't kill your deal over things that don't matter. It is inappropriate to demand that a seller address deferred maintenance conditions already listed on the seller's disclosure, or nitpicky items.

More: Three Deadly Mistakes Home Buyers Should Avoid

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Last modified: 12/31/2011

Home Inspections in Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington DC
Professional Services: Home Inspections, Residential Inspections, New Houses Inspections, Pre Drywall Inspection, Final Inspections, Historic Houses Inspections, Building Investigations, Infrared Thermal Imaging, Maintenance Inspections, Trouble Shooting Consultations, Environmental Consultations
Infrared Thermal Imaging, Infrared Inspections, Building Thermography, Building Thermogram, Infrared Scans, Building Infrared Scan, Building Science, Building investigations. Thermography, infrared scan of electrical systems, building envelope infrared scan, energy loss infrared thermal imaging
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Mold Inspections, Mold Testing, Mold Sampling, Mold Assessment, Allergens, Lead in Paint, Asbestos
Radon Tests, Electro Magnetic Fields Testing, EMF Testing, Noise Testing
Water Quality

Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Frederick County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County in Maryland

Montgomery County: Ashton, Aspen Hill, Bethesda, North Bethesda, Beallsville, Barnesville, Boyds, Cabin John, Chevy Chase, Clarksburg, Colesville, Darnestown, Derwood, Dickerson, Friendship Heights, Garrett Park, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Glenn Echo, Kensington, Montgomery Village, Olney, Potomac, North Potomac, Poolesville, Rockville, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Wheaton

Howard County: Clarksville, Columbia, Dayton, Ellicott City, Elksridge, Glenwood, Scaggsville

Prince George’s County: Beltsville, College Park, Greenbelt, Hyattsville, Landover, Laurel, Capitol Heights, Suitland, Upper Marlboro, Waldorf

Washington DC - District of Columbia

Northern Virginia: Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, Loudoun counties. Dulles, Centreville, Chantilly, Herndon, Reston, McLean, Vienna, Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston, Annandale, Sterling, Great Falls, Oakton, Ashburn, Leesburg, Tysons Corner, Burke, Manassas