The Importance of a Naples Home Inspection

Mold, termites, radon gas – there’s a lot of scary stuff lurking in the average home. What makes this all the more 

frightening is that most of the time, these terrors aren’t visible to the naked eye. This is why having a home professionally inspected before you close on a purchase is so important.

Many first-time buyers don’t understand the difference between an appraisal and a home inspection. The appraisal is a procedure wherein the house is inspected and compared to other homes to determine its value. The home inspection, on the other hand, is a limited examination of the visible and accessible areas of a house to determine its condition.

There is no way that an inspector can find all possible problems in a home – what lies behind the walls, for instance. But a good Naples home inspector will be able to let you know enough to determine if you want to proceed with the purchase of the home.

The Naples area real estate contract contains a clause that allows the buyer, within a specified period of time, to have the home professionally inspected. This clause also allows the buyer to renegotiate the contract should the results of the inspection not meet with his or her approval.

One of three events typically occurs when repairs are required:  

• The buyer requests that the seller repair the items
• The buyer requests that the seller credit the buyer for the cost of the repairs
• The buyer requests a return of his or her deposit and cancels the sale

Not only does the home inspection protect you against costly repairs, it is also your duty under a condition known as “due diligence.” You, as the buyer, are expected to take all necessary steps to investigate the property before contracting to purchase it.

By law, Florida home inspectors must hold a state license and carry at least $300,000 in liability insurance.

Feel free to email or call me with any questions about the home inspection process or how to find a local inspector.