Home Inspections in Kitsap County

Whether you are buying a home or selling one, a home inspection is an essential part of the process. It may identify the need for major repairs or uncover builder oversights (in new construction) as well as highlight the importance of maintenance to keep the home in good shape.

The inspection typically will take place after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed. Before you sign the purchase contract, be sure there is an inspection clause in the contract making your final purchase obligation contingent on the findings of a professional home inspection. This clause should specify the terms and conditions to which the buyer and seller are obligated. In this market cycle, I recommend that sellers contract with an inspector and complete the inspection before listing their home for sale. As part of the process, the sellers then either make the necessary repairs or disclose those not corrected on the property disclosure form. In addition, a copy of full inspection should be displayed in the homebook. Your home needs to "stand out" from the competition and this will be one point of difference.

The American Society of Home Inspectors (www.ashi.org) publishes a Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics that outlines what you should expect to be included in your home inspection report. Generally it will cover the conditions of the following:

• heating system
• central air conditioning system (temperature permitting)
• interior plumbing and electrical systems
• installed appliances
• roof, attic and visible insulation
• walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors
• foundation, basement and structural components
• insect infestation and damage

Fees for a home inspection vary geographically and depend on factors such as the size of the house, its age and optional services such as septic, well or radon testing.

When my daughter purchased her first home this past June, we contracted with Fair Home Inspections http://www.fairinspection.com/ to complete the inspection. I first met Chuck Fair through the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce in the mid-1990s. Chuck is also a licensed pest inspector in Washington State and he does a great job.