for all your real estate inspection needs

nav3.jpg

National Association
of Certified Home
Inspectors

American Home
Warranty Company

Environmental
Solutions
Association

Environmental
Microbiology
Laboratory

American Home
Inspectors Training

our Illinois home inspection process

A home inspection is a certified, professional, objective, visual examination of a home by a State Licensed Certified Home Inspector. Home buyers and sellers view home inspections as a way to gain valuable information about the biggest purchase of their lifetime. Clients can use the information given them by a general home inspector to determine whether there are any major defects or system inadequacies.

In most cases, home inspections are performed after a sales contract (conditional upon a satisfactory home inspection) has been accepted by the seller and is called a buyers home inspection. Other home inspections include the pre listing home inspection (sometimes referred to as a pre sale home inspection) and warranty and maintenance inspections. Inspections can usually be arranged to be performed within 24 to 48 hours.

WHEN TO SCHEDULE YOUR HOME INSPECTION

Most real estate contracts in Illinois require that home inspections be performed within 5 working days after a seller has accepted a purchase offer, for this reason we encourage scheduling of home inspections as soon as possible. Typically an average home can be inspected in about 3 hours and we would prefer that our clients attend the inspection, so that they can see first hand the workings of the home. It also offers an excellent opportunity for our clients to ask questions about the home or to discuss potential concerns or changes.

SHERLOCK HOMES REAL ESTATE INSPECTIONS HIGHLIGHT THE GOOD AND THE BAD

Home inspections also highlight the positive aspects of a home. In fact, many of the home inspectors observations or recommendations help to dispel home purchaser anxieties, and provide useful repair suggestions.

Cut-away home drawing showing many items that are inspected during an Illinois home inspection

A home inspectors service to the client is primarily one of education. The goal of the inspector is to provide the client with a better understanding of the physical condition of the home, the condition of the homes mechanical systems and the safety aspects of the home. Equipped with the knowledge and understanding of a professional certified home inspector, clients can then make well informed decisions. It is also the home inspectors role to keep his findings in perspective for the client. After the home inspection is completed, a report will be prepared for the client documenting the results of the home inspection.

DON'T BE CONFUSED ABOUT HOME INSPECTIONS

A general home inspection should not be confused with an appraisal, a municipal code inspection, an environmental audit, or a home owners warrantee. What is covered in a complete general home inspection are all of the major systems of a house including structure, exterior, interior, roofing, foundation, electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling, and insulation.

HOME INSPECTION STANDARDS

Real estate inspections by Sherlock Homes Inspection meet or exceed the Standards of Practice of the State of Illinois as well as the Standards of Practice of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI). Additionally a Sherlock Homes Inspector is licensed by the State of Illinois and has a construction and or building/building trades background in addition to professional training and certification in all facets of home inspection and commercial property inspection. Continuing education requirements at Sherlock Homes Inspection exceed all professional and State Standards in addition to our requirement of yearly re-testing and re-certification of our home inspectors and commercial property inspectors.

Consumers should be very careful when shopping for a home inspector. In addition to price, consideration should be given to background, knowledge, training and the experience of the home inspector. Home inspection companies that offer home repair services or recommend repair companies should be avoided due to possible conflicts of interest. Sherlock Homes Inspection is a professional full time company that only offers real estate inspection Illinois services.