What is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of the accessible areas of a residential property, performed for a fee. Once the inspector completes an evaluation, you will receive a report with the inspector’s findings.

The report will include information about how severe each deficiency is, general recommendations for fixing the issues and referral to hire licensed contractor, if necessary.

If the inspection reveals more problems than you’re comfortable with, you can choose to back out of the sale or try to negotiate to have the seller make the repairs, or lower their price. If you’re satisfied with the condition of the home or the shape it will be in after the seller meets the arrangements of your negotiations, you can move into your new home with more peace of mind.

Important notes:

• The home inspection is based on the observations made on the date of the inspection, and not a prediction of future conditions.


• The home inspection will not reveal every issue that exists or ever could exist, but only those material defects observed on the date of the inspection.


• Please be aware that the inspections are not graded on a pass or fail basis, there are many factors that determine the condition of the multiple systems inside a home.


• The Inspector does not inspect systems that are not active at the time of inspection, if the utilities are off and you would like them inspected, please make arrangements to have them turned on prior to the inspection date with your real estate agent and or the utility companies.

When are home inspections performed?

Home inspections are preformed pre-purchase, pre listing, or periodically.

• Pre-purchase inspections are typically requested by the buyer of a home. These inspections are a critical part of the home buying process and can reveal many defects in the condition of the house.


• Pre-listing inspections are typically requested by a home owner that is considering selling a home. These inspections help insure that there are no surprises during the home selling process. Bringing any issues to light and properly addressing them before listing a home can really help to sell a home.


• Periodic home inspections are requested by by a home owner and are an essential part of an overall home maintenance plan. Periodic inspections are a great way to find and address issues before they turn in to costly repairs.

While an inspection will give you an idea of a house’s overall condition, it might not uncover hidden problems such as pests, mold or asbestos. It also won’t turn up flaws in areas that are below ground or otherwise inaccessible to the inspector, like wells and septic tanks, or areas concealed by wall/floor coverings. It’s also important to remember that an inspection is only a snapshot in time, on the day of the inspection. So if you’re buying a house in the middle of summer, try to consider how the home might perform in different conditions, like the winter or fall or during inclement weather.

Questions to ask yourself after the inspection:

• Which repairs are mandatory? You’ll mostly want to prioritize repairs that are a safety concern. Issues that require immediate action are noted in the report summary and include suggestions for remediation.


• How much will repairs cost? If you’ll be taking care of the repairs, you’ll want to get at least three quotes from reputable contractors.


• Do you have to hire a professional or can you DIY the repairs? Gemini Property Inspections recommends hiring licensed contractors to perform all work.