One of the first things people should consider when purchasing a home is an inspection. A certified home inspector will ensure that major components of a home are looked at carefully so that buyers will know whether or not the property they are interested in has major issues. The results of this inspection are very useful when it comes to negotiating the selling price, and can save people a great deal of heartache later down the road.

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) is a North American organization that serves to promote awareness as to the importance of home inspections. This group’s members adhere to rigid guidelines known as Standards of Practice, which has essentially become the gold standard in the industry when it comes to home inspections.

Some of the things that are usually covered in a home inspection include mechanical items such as plumbing, heating and cooling, electrical wiring and major appliances. Floors, walls, ceilings, doors, windows and the roof are typically examined as well. Inspectors may also look at the amount of insulation in an attic in order to determine if a home would be energy efficient.

Buyers typically spend around 15 minutes inside a home when they are looking at it. In order to see every component of a house, individuals would need to spend around two hours or more in the home. Not only that, but accessing the roof or attic would require the use of special ladders that not many people have access to.

Sellers could also benefit from having a home inspection performed on a property they are placing on the market. That’s because inspectors provide homeowners with a report that outlines deficiencies. After examining this report, homeowners could make any needed repairs before the property is offered for sale, thereby increasing the amount they could ask for the home as a result.

Home inspector qualifications vary from one state to the next, and not all inspectors check the same components of a home. As a result, consumers should obtain a list of items to be checked so they can make sure that all the important elements of the home are looked at by the inspector they choose.