Home Inspectors are Like Medical General Practitioners

by Karen Briscoe
January 16, 2014

Once all of the terms are agreed to in writing in a contract for sale of a home and delivered back to the parties, at that time it is considered a ratified contract.  If there are any contingencies in the contract, the counting of the number of days begins from the date of ratification.  That date is like pressing the start button on a stop watch.

Typically one of the first items to be addressed is to schedule the home inspection.  According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Housing Administration:   Every buyer needs a home inspection because it gives the buyer more detailed information about the overall condition of the home prior to purchase.  In a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth, unbiased look at the home to:  1) evaluate the physical condition:  structure, construction, and mechanical systems; 2) identify items that need to be repaired or replaced; 3) estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems, equipment, structure, and finishes; and 4) educate the purchaser on handling the care and maintenance of the home for the highest useful life.

The way I view the role of a home inspector is like that of a medical general practitioner.  According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary a general practitioner is:  a physician or veterinarian whose practice is not limited to a specialty.  In practice, the physician or veterinarian examines a patient and with that information identifies if there are areas of concern that require further tests and/or evaluation by someone with more specified knowledge and training.  The general practitioner will recommend and oftentimes refer that patient to a specialist.  The home inspector assumes a similar role in the home purchase process; he/she examines the home and prepares a report identifying areas that may require further tests and/or evaluation by someone with more specified knowledge and training.

For example in working with a purchaser client recently, by visual examination the home inspector identified some areas of concern on the roof, there were shingles missing/loose and there appeared to be inadequate flashing.  We then contacted a professional roofing company that came out and made a more thorough inspection and then gave specific recommendations regarding the roof.

Sometimes the medical specialist determines that there is no cause for concern, and that too can happen with a home inspection.  It is my experience that if the identified issue has been examined by a specialist in the field, that overrides the home inspector’s evaluation.  Another option is to obtain additional opinion(s), particularly if there is a compelling reason to do so.

The best guidance is obtained from a professional Realtor® that is actively involved in your marketplace.  If you are in the Northern Virginia, Washington DC or suburban Maryland area, please contact Karen Briscoe and Lizzy Conroy with the Huckaby Briscoe Conroy Realty Group, Keller Williams Realty at 703-734-0192 or Homes@HBCRealtyGroup.com as we would be delighted to be of assistance.  Or visit our website for more information at www.HBCRealtyGroup.com.

Karen Briscoe is Principal of the Huckaby Briscoe Conroy Group (HBC) and author of "Real Estate Success in 5 Minutes a Day". She is an Associate Broker in Virginia, a Certified Luxury Home Market Specialist, and a member of the Women’s Council of Realtors. Karen began her real estate career developing residential lots with the Trammel Crow Company in Dallas, and in commercial real estate with The Staubach Company in the Washington, DC Metro area. Karen has a Masters Degree from Southern Methodist University and her BA from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri – her hometown.
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