A home inspection is an evaluation of a home’s condition by a trained professional. The resulting inspection report is an unbiased, professional assessment of the condition of the house and its operational systems. To create this report, the inspector must conduct a visual inspection of virtually every accessible nook and cranny both inside and outside of the house.

Although it depends on the size and complexity of the house, a thorough inspection will typically take about two to three hours to complete. OBinspeX follows strict reporting guidelines and provides comprehensive written disclosure of all visible defects and conditions that will affect the function of the house.

The purpose of a professional real estate inspection is to help the client manage risk. However, your inspector does not possess x-ray vision and cannot see through walls and other items. As such, the inspection is limited to that which is both accessible and visible. While no inspector can discover every unknown factor, a broad study of the home by OBinspeX LLC helps identify many problems a consumer may otherwise overlook.

You should keep in mind that the inspection report does not issue a Pass/Fail grade, nor is it intended to determine whether the house complies with local codes, or to report on cosmetic defects apparent to the average individual. As home inspectors, we are considered generalists who cover a wide variety of areas. The purpose of a generalist inspection is to identify any significant defects or adverse conditions that would warrant evaluation or remedy by a specialist. It provides you with the information needed to make confident decisions regarding the suitability of the home.

In short, a home inspection from OBinspeX LLC is a wide ranging overview of a property. All this information is put in a convenient and actionable report that is easy to understand resulting in a clearer understanding of the property and its systems.

Home Buyers – Typically, you should schedule your home inspection as soon as you have a signed agreement. Home Sellers – When you get your home inspection depends on how you plan on using your pre-listing inspection report. If you plan on fixing any defects which may be uncovered, be sure to allow enough time to have the fixes completed. Home owners that would like to keep up on maintenance can also schedule a home inspection whenever is convenient for them. This can help catch problems early on, before they have a chance to fester and worsen drastically, potentially saving you thousands of dollars.

As far as the real estate transaction is concerned, we are looking for “material defects”. Regarding home inspection, Pennsylvania Law defines a “material defect” as follows: “A problem with a residential real property or any portion of it that would have a significant adverse impact on the value of the property or that involves an unreasonable risk to people on the property. The fact that a structural element, system, or subsystem is near, at, or beyond the end of its normal useful life is not, by itself, a material defect.” We interpret that to mean, if it is expensive to fix, around $500 or more for most homes, or it is a safety issue no matter what the cost, it is a material defect.

Attend your inspection and you will learn:

The age of the critical systems in your home

Approximate life expectancies, when you should budget for a replacement for things like the roof, heater, and water heater.

How to safely operate and maintain your home and protect your investment.

Tips to improve efficiency in the home and answer any questions you may have.

In addition to uncovering and documenting material defects, we inspect and describe the roof, siding, structure, heating and cooling systems, plumbing system, electrical system, windows, doors, kitchens, bathrooms, and garages. We will visually inspect virtually every accessible nook and cranny of the house, both inside and out. We will talk about maintenance and things you may need to budget for in the future. We will discuss possible upgrades that may improve efficiency and comfort, as well as answer any questions you may have.