HI-OZ Home Inspections

A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home. Home inspections are usually conducted by a home inspector who has the training and certifications to perform such inspections. The inspector prepares and delivers to the client a written report of findings.

The client then uses the knowledge gained to make informed decisions about their pending real estate purchase. The home inspector describes the condition of the home at the time of inspection but does not guarantee future condition, efficiency, or life expectancy of systems or components.

Home inspections are not required by law, but they are definitely worth the money. The inspection helps protect your investment. It gives you the peace of mind that comes from knowing the true condition of the home. 

In most cases, the inspection takes place shortly after the seller accepts the buyer’s offer. It happens before the appraisal. You want to schedule the home inspection as soon as you can, so you can have time to make repair requests.

In nearly all cases, the home buyer pays for the home inspection. It is designed to protect the buyer alone, so the buyer bears the cost.

The inspector will look for problems with the home’s heating and cooling system, structure, roof, plumbing, electrical system, windows and doors, foundation and more. They cover all parts of the house, including the installed systems. Before you hire a  Home Inspector, you should ask what he is going to look for when he conducts the inspection.

The Arkansas Home Inspectors Registration Board  publishes a standards of practice that outlines what is the inspector will inspect as well as what is not required.

Your real estate agent might be able to recommend an inspector. You can also find one by address and city through a professional organization’s website (Ar.registered home inspectors) as well as online search.

The inspector will tell you if he sees obvious termite damage, such as half-eaten floor joists in the crawlspace. But he won’t perform a complete termite inspection. You would have to use a pest-control company for this service.

The home inspector will alert you to any visual signs of mold or mildew that he finds. But he won’t do a comprehensive mold inspection. Proper mold testing is a specialized service that requires special training and equipment.

It depends on the size of the house and the speed of the individual inspector and how many inspectors are present. It might take anywhere from two to four hours.

This will depend on the kind of real estate market you’re in, and the severity of the item to be repaired. You should always consider the cost of the repair work when making these decisions. It may be beneficial to suggest the seller make all repairs instead of an allowance deducted from the sale price. And remember, the worst the sellers can do is say no. So when in doubt, ask for the repair.

Yes, if you include such a contingency in your purchase agreement. We recommend that you put this kind of contingency in the agreement. This allows you to back out of the deal if the inspector finds something that is unacceptable to you.