Frequently Asked Questions
A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation. Home inspections are designed to protect the buyer, by revealing problems they might not have noticed otherwise.
Home inspections generally take 2 to 4 hours to complete. My inspections are not on a timeline, but rather quality. I will stay as long as I need to in order to ensure a thorough inspection.
At True South Home Inspection, your home is my priority. I am dedicated to providing thorough and meticulous home inspections without rushing the process. My commitment is to ensure that every detail is examined carefully, giving you the peace of mind you deserve. I don’t set time limits on inspections because I believe in doing the job right, not just quickly. Trust me to provide the comprehensive evaluation your home needs.
A home inspection includes checking for any structural issues such as foundation cracks, roof leaks, plumbing issues, electrical wiring, heating/cooling systems, insulation, windows, doors, chimneys, etc. Depending on how big the property is, a home inspection typically takes 2-3 hours.
“After completing the inspection, I will personally call you to go over the findings in detail. This allows us to discuss any concerns or questions you may have and ensure that you fully understand the inspection results. Additionally, I’ll provide an explanation of the report you’ll be receiving, outlining its format, the key points covered, and how to interpret the information. My goal is to make sure you feel informed and confident about the condition of the property and any next steps that may be necessary.”
Although it is not necessary, we do recommend that you attend the inspection so you can ask questions and learn more about the home. You will learn a lot from the inspection report, but we always encourage you to attend!
Ensure all inspection points are free from clutter, including any closets that might lead to a crawlspace or attic, and clearing some space around your home’s perimeter. It’s also important to check the functionality of all built-in appliances, electric, and gas. If you don’t plan to attend the inspection, make sure your inspector has access to the home, and all pets are properly contained or moved.
A home doesn’t pass or fail an inspection. Instead, a home inspection is a thorough audit of your home’s components. In most cases, there will be concerns marked on your home inspection report, but these are strictly informative.
While you can legally skip a home inspection in many cases, doing so could mean you may end up buying a home that has major issues that need to be fixed.
While a home inspector may recommend some minor repairs, they are not qualified to make major repairs. He or she can provide information about what needs to be repaired — and it might be helpful to know that information — but the decision to actually do the work lies solely with the homeowner. Not only does this give you the freedom to choose your contractors, but it also helps prevent a conflict of interest.
A home inspection can affect appraisals for two reasons: 1) The inspector may find something wrong with the property that would lower the value of the home, 2) The inspector may find things that need repair which could increase the value of the home. If the inspection finds issues that require repairs, then the seller has to decide whether they want to fix them themselves, or hire someone else to do it. If the buyer wants to purchase the home, he/she must be willing to pay for those repairs.
A real estate option period is a specified time frame in a property purchase contract during which the buyer can conduct inspections and due diligence. During this period, the buyer has the right to terminate the contract for any reason and receive a refund of their earnest money. It is crucial to have a qualified professional evaluate the property further to determine any necessary repairs.
Yes, you can cancel your home inspection at any time. If you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled inspection time, you will receive a full refund. If you cancel within 24 hours of the inspection time, you will receive a 50% refund. Please note that no refund will be issued once the inspection has started.
Yes, True South Home Inspection proudly offers discounts to our military and first responders. We deeply appreciate everything they do for our communities and country, and this is our way of saying thank you for their service.
