Before you buy a home, you'll want to know exactly what it is you're getting. An inspector checks for deficiencies, the potential problems, and the safety of your potential new home. Home Inspectors focus especially on the structure, construction, and electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems of the house.  They focus on the big cost items of a house. 

Some of the safety items they will look at is the electrical system.  Are there ground fault plugs in areas that require them, are plugs working, are there items wired incorrectly?
Some inspector do carbon dioxide tests.  You can have an additional radon test done.
If there is a well you can have the water quality tested.  This is important to do.

Here are additional home safety ideas and pages.

The home inspector will make you aware of repairs that are needed immediately and potential problems in the future.  Remember that every inspector is different.  They do miss items sometimes.  They are usually are only liable for the cost of the inspection.

The Inspector does not evaluate whether or not you're getting good value for your money.  They do not give exact life expectancy of the roof, furnace, or other systems  Generally, an inspector checks (and gives general estimates for repairs on): the electrical system, plumbing and waste disposal, the water heater, insulation and Ventilation, the HVAC system, the foundation, doors, windows, ceilings, walls, floors, and roof. Be sure to hire a Wayne County home inspector  or Michigan Home inspector that is certified, qualified and experienced.

It's a good idea to have an inspection contingency clause written into the purchase agreement. An inspection clause gives you an "out" on buying the house if serious problems are found,or gives you the ability to renegotiate the purchase price if repairs are needed, or to get the sellers to repair the problem.
 
There are many inspections besides the basic home inspection.  A home inspection does not cover termites or pest inspection, radon testing, well, or septic inspections.  A home inspector gives you what is wrong.  But if you are uncomfortable with a certain part of the inspection you should hire a rooffing contractor, a foundation contractor, or a heating and cooling contractor to examine more carefully if needed.  Remember you need to do this quickly within the time period specified in the purchase agreement. 

Before 1978  most homes had lead paint in it.  So if you are buying a home built before 1978, and you have children under the age of seven, you may want to have an inspection for lead-based paint. It's important to know that lead flakes from paint can be present in both the home and in the soil surrounding the house. The problem can be fixed temporarily by repairing damaged paint surfaces or planting grass over effected soil. Hiring a lead abatement contractor to remove paint chips and seal damaged areas will fix the problem permanently. 

So when an inspection is done of your Oakland county home, Livingston county home, or any Michigan home it is important to get those safety items fixed as soon as possible.  Don't put them off.  Your family safety is more important that the few hundred dollars it takes to fix.  

                                                             Russ Ravary

Are you considering buying a lake home in Waterford but aren't exactly sure which lake fits your lifestyle? Here are Waterford Township Lakes to help you find that perfect lake home. 

Moving to or selling your home in Bloomfield can be an exciting time but you might be curious about the other homes in this area click here Bloomfield Township homes for more information. 

Blind Lake

Commerce Lake Sales

Tamarack Lake

$59,900

5567 BIRCH Lane

Springfield Township, MI

Beds: 0 • Baths: 0

$93,000

2830 Dixie Highway

Waterford Township, MI

Beds: 0 • Baths: 0

$1,695.00

614 Napa Valley Drive

Milford Township, MI

Beds: 2 • Baths: 2 full/1 partial

$310,000

0000 HIghland Park Drive

Highland Township, MI

Beds: 0 • Baths: 0

$194,900

5821 FELSKE Drive

Brighton Township, MI

Beds: 3 • Baths: 1 full