Purchasing a home is likely one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make in your life. And when making such a major investment, you’ll want to make sure you have all the information to make the smartest choice possible. That’s where a professional home inspection comes in.
Getting a home thoroughly inspected before finalizing the sale can potentially save you thousands of dollars down the road by identifying issues early. Things like structural problems, electrical issues, HVAC defects, and more can be extremely costly if not caught soon enough. And in a hot market like Michigan where competition is fierce, buyers often feel pressure to skip the inspection contingency. But don’t let that deter you!
I’ve created this comprehensive checklist of what specifically home inspectors examine in Michigan homes. Read on for details of each item – whether you choose to be present for the inspection itself or just want to understand what the process entails. My goal is to educate and empower you to invest wisely.
Knowledge Is Power: Understanding Michigan Home Inspection Standards
While inspection requirements can vary a bit by region, Home Inspectors in Michigan typically follow a standardized procedure approved by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). These professionals go through intensive training, testing, and continuing education to earn their certifications. They must adhere to strict codes of ethics as well.
So what exactly should you expect from a home inspection in Michigan home? Let’s explore from top to bottom!
Examining the Exterior: Initial Impressions Matter
Before entering the home, the inspector will walk the entire perimeter and carefully assess the exterior. Issues here can impact energy efficiency, safety, costs, and appeal over time if not properly maintained:
Site & Drainage – They’ll evaluate the home’s position on the land itself along with drainage patterns. This includes things like runoff direction, area terrain/grade, soil stability, vegetation, lot lines, setbacks, and driveways or sidewalks if present. Proper drainage prevents flooding and foundation structural damage.
Siding & Paint – Common Michigan home exterior materials like brick, vinyl, wood, and stone will be closely examined for damage or deficiencies. This includes looking for cracks, rot, pest infestations, appropriate caulking, and other concerning signs. Fresh paint can hide problems temporarily but an inspector will look underneath to determine underlying issues.
Windows, Doors, & Sealants – Leaky windows and doors waste energy! Inspectors will seek drafts, fogging, broken seals, missing screens, functioning locks, and other window-related flaws. They’ll ensure exterior doors operate smoothly and seal tightly when shut. Areas around windows, flashing, pipes, vents, lights, and outlets get checked for appropriate caulk/sealants too.
Structural Elements – Critical structural components like the roof, eaves, chimney, decks, porches, balconies, attached garages, railings and supports will all be scrutinized during the exterior check. Safety is a priority.
Utilities & Home Systems – The electrical meter, AC compressor, water supply lines, well caps, and sewer laterals should present no outward issues. Underground oil tanks get assessed for potential hidden leaks too.
What specifically do they examine in these concealed areas?
Crawl Space – Inspectors will first determine if access is sufficient before carefully navigating the area. They’ll check for proper ventilation, adequate insulation, vapor barriers, electrical safety, and signs of moisture penetration. Plumbing leaks, wood decay, termite damage, and erosion or runoff issues may be visible too.
Foundation Walls – Cracks are not necessarily cause for panic, but professionals can gauge if movement appears to be ongoing. They’ll also look for signs of past water intrusion, mineral deposits from flooding, shifting, exterior drainage issues, or damage from pests/rodents.
Structural Supports – Posts, beams, joists, and subflooring holding up the home will get reviewed for levelness, bowing, deterioration or other concerning flaws. Inspectors check for signs of unusual settling, strain, rotating, or separation.
Ventilation Systems – Michigan inspectors will ensure any systems in place to control humidity, radon, and soil gas vapors appear properly installed and functional. This includes viewing vent pipes, exhaust fans, and related HVAC equipment.
It’s Showtime: What Gets Inspected Inside a Michigan Home
You’ve probably spent weeks picturing yourself living in this home. And now’s the time when an inspector finally makes that dream a reality – sort of! They’re not moving furniture in or decorating. But professionals will evaluate critical systems and features to provide peace of mind…or fair warning.
Michigan homes run the gamut style and age-wise. But inspectors making their rounds inside will pay particular attention to:
Electrical – They’ll seek faulty wiring, open junction boxes,exposed splices, missing outlet covers, sufficient amps/voltage, grounding, GFCIs near water sources, and code violations for the home’s location and age.
Plumbing – Inspectors turn on all faucets, flush toilets, run showers/tubs, and check for leaks, low pressure, corrosion, improper piping, and adequate venting/drainage. Water heaters get examined for functionality plus safety mechanisms like TPR valves. Septic systems may warrant an additional specialized inspection.
Appliances – While testing every setting and cycle falls beyond inspection scope, professionals will power items on to spot any immediate issues. This includes the furnace, AC unit, stove/oven, fireplace/chimney, and laundry connections.
Ventilation/Insulation – Today’s airtight, energy-efficient homes require proper ventilation to prevent moisture and condensation concerns. Inspectors confirm bath/kitchen fans, clothes dryer vents, attic fans, ridge vents, etc. vent outside appropriately. Insulation levels in walls, attics and crawl spaces get checked too.
Doors/Windows – Faulty weather stripping, damaged screens, inoperable locks, broken glass, peeling paint, and sticking doors/windows can frustrate homeowners later. Inspectors ensure these components function properly and seal out drafts. Security features get tested as well.
Walls/Ceilings – Drywall flaws like cracks or staining often surface post-closing but inspectors try spotting them early. Sagging ceilings, patched areas, texturing mismatches, or indications of prior leaks may be visible too. Professionals also watch for breaches that allow pests or rodents to enter.
Floors – From structural observation to finish defects, inspectors evaluate floors thoroughly. Levelness, spongy areas, stains, uneven transitions between rooms, and creaking boards warrant mention in the report. With carpet and some floors, full assessment proves limited.
Built-in Appliances – Permanent home features like ceiling fans, garbage disposals, doorbells, central vacuums, speakers, security systems and more get tested too. Inspectors ensure satisfactory operation and conditions.
Garage – Attached garages with automatic doors and functional openers are a popular feature for Michigan homes. Inspectors verify proper operation and check for common flaws like concrete cracking. They also ensure any living space above is safely firewalled if present.
The Final Shot: Don’t Skip the Roof & Exterior!
Before wrapping up and sitting down to compile their detailed home inspection report, professionals take one last walk around outside. They’ll use binoculars and/or a drone in some cases to closely check areas difficult to view up-close. Here’s what they’re eyeing from afar:
Roof – While inspectors tread carefully, they can’t risk damaging certain roofs to examine every inch. Instead they scan vigorously from the ground with binoculars for damaged, loose or missing shingles/tiles, pooling water, exposed nails, sagging spots, debris accumulation and other red flags. Odds are they snapped roof photos early too for closer screen scrutiny. Probing around flashings and penetrations is also key. Skylights, chimneys and joints between additions deserve attention as well. Ultimately the goal is determining general conditions and estimated remaining life with reasonable certainty.
Landscaping – How a home’s outdoor environment gets maintained often reflects how the interior fares as well. Inspectors take in general aesthetics like overgrown landscaping and deferred maintenance issues around structures like sheds, detached garages or in-ground pools. While underground irrigation systems and low-voltage garden lighting operate beyond inspection scope, making note of visibly problematic electrical lines or water leaks proves wise.
Grading/Drainage – Earlier exterior drainage checks continue from the roof level using binoculars and birds-eye perceptive. Inspectors ensure water can flow unheeded off the property based on surrounding grade and established drainage paths free of negative patterns. Downspout extensions should divert runoff away from the foundation properly. And window well grading allows sunlight but deters flooding.
Wrapping Up: The Home Inspection Report
Phew, that was a lot to digest, I know! But now you should have a much more solid grasp of everything encompassed during a professional home inspection in Michigan. And why it’s SO imperative for protecting your investment long-term!
While you chose either to shadow the inspector in person during the 2-3 hour assessment or await their detailed home inspection report independently, either way their findings aim to empower your purchasing decision without emotion or pressure. Yes, most homes possess some flaws needing attention over time. But inspectors shed light on immediate safety issues and expensive repairs that could severely impact finances down the road.
I hope this overview better prepared you to:
- Decide what to demand gets repaired/replaced before closing
- Budget for maintenance fixes the home currently requires
- Understand what inspection exclusions are normal
- Interpret which issues discovered require specialist assessments
- Determine if an alarming defect is deterring enough to reconsider buying
I wish you very best as you proceed with confidence through the home buying process! And remember, investing in a home inspection leaves no question about a home’s true condition. Let me know if you have any other real estate- or inspection-related questions down the road!
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