Central Ohio and Columbus, Ohio home inspection tips and information.

Home inspections are extremely common and important. A professional spending 2 to 3 hours going through the house will go a long way to not only protect the Buyer, but also to educate them about the house, how to maintain it, and what to expect in the foreseeable future.

• Have proper expectations before you start. The inspector will point out everything that is wrong with the house. All houses have things that are wrong, so it is important to have realistic expectations about the process and what can be done. The contract may not require the Seller to fix a thing. In that case, it all has to be negotiated.
• Major problems: If they find a major defect, you normally can decide to cancel the contract with no liability to you--as long as you do it within the time period allowed and your contract allows for it. Or you can negotiate for the Seller to remedy the defect.
• A big problem: These are usually easier to have the Seller fix than small problems. If the inspector uncovers a defect and the Seller does not want to fix it, then they would have to disclose it to any future Buyers. Otherwise, they could be liable for fraud. Consequently, the Seller usually fixes defects.  
• Minor problems: These may be hard to get the Seller to fix, especially if they are related to quality or are cosmetic. If the inspector does not like the way the plumbing was completed under the sink but there is not a leak, then it may be harder to get the Seller to repair it. Items  which are usually fixed are defects that are damaging the property, such as plumbing or roof leaks, or a safety hazard such as gas leaks.
• Nothing is wrong: If you determine that nothing needs to be fixed, then no request is made and now you have at least learned about your house. You may formally waive the contingency in writing, depending on how it was worded.