Home Inspections part 1

What is the definition of a home inspection? Wikipedia has their definition quoted below my posting. Over the years my industry has matured with issues like Agency, Disclosures, Options vs Earnest money. Another such area is the clear distinction between a Realtor and an Inspector. After the following, go ahead and read the definition of a home inspection by Wikipedia.

Buyers desire to own their own home, Sellers need to sell their home. Realtors aid in establishing market value for both scenarios either by showing homes to buyers or discussing the market conditions at any given moment with buyers and sellers. Once a home is "found" by a buyer, their Realtor assists them with the process of offering, negotiating and closing the home. A fundamental guideline for this process is the buyer wants the home. If the buyer decides the home is not for them, they can not make the offer or utilize one of the "outs" created by the offer they made with their Realtor. During the "under contract phase" of this process; a buyer will have professional people performing exact steps and offering opinions (Lender, Surveyor, Title, Inspector, Appraisal, specific Contractor). Lets focus on The Inspector.
The Inspector and the Realtor are 2 seperate profesional occupations in Texas both licensed by The State of Texas. Inspectors don't discuss sales and Realtors should not discuss durability-integrity-conditions of improvements. A Realtor could and should discuss what upgrades are worth in the open market of a home sale. A Realtor could also help create a plan with a written Home Inspector's report in making an offer or countering an offer with an active option period. Realtors know how to negotiate the steps in a home sale, that is what we do. When an inspection is in process it is best to have the home empty of the seller owner. Just the inspector and buyer should be around. This simplifies who says what and really frees up the buyer to get their money worth with their inspector by asking questions and learning about their home. We Realtors are a talkative bunch. We see a lot of inspections. We get immune to what an inspection could mean to a buyer, especially if that buyer is first time OR has not bought in 20 years. I would also warn adding decorating ideas during an inspection. A list of inspectors findings in addition to a list of personal preferences could really confuse the entire process. Even under short option periods, a buyer should first to inspections THEN proceed to personal preferences.

Wikipedia...
"A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home. The first known home inspection company, Home Equity Loss Protection Services dba/H.E.L.P.S.(Glen Ellyn, IL), was originally founded by Christopher P. Nolan and Loyola Professor Mark Goodfriend. Years later, the company was officially incorporated in the early 1980's by Jane Garvey, surviving wife of Professor Mark Goodfriend in Glen Ellyn, IL following its purchase from Christopher P. Nolan, the founder of the home inspection business and entrepreneur. Mr. Nolan was inspired to create a comprehensive system of home inspections because as an investor of distressed real estate and then a nationally recognized real estate expert and speaker, he realized a need to have skilled professionals inspect key areas of the home prior to his purchases in order to mitigate the risk of his investments. Home inspections are usually conducted by a home inspector who has the training and certifications to perform such inspections. The inspector prepares and delivers to the client a written report of findings. The client then uses the knowledge gained to make informed decisions about their pending real estate purchase. The home inspector describes the condition of the home at the time of inspection but does not guarantee future condition, efficiency, or life expectancy of systems or components.[1]
An inspector will check the roof, basement, heating system, water heater, air-conditioning system, structure, plumbing, electrical, and many other aspects of buildings looking for improper building practices, those items that require extensive repairs, items that are general maintenance issues, as well as some fire and safety issues.[2] However, it should also be noted that a home inspection is not technically exhaustive and does not imply that every defect will be discovered. A general list of exclusions include but are not limited to: code or zoning violations, permit research, property measurements or surveys, boundaries, easements or right of way, conditions of title, proximity to environmental hazards, noise interference, soil or geological conditions, well water systems or water quality, underground sewer lines and/or waste disposal systems, buried piping, cisterns, underground water tanks and sprinkler systems to name a few. A complete list of standards and procedures for home inspections can be found at the NAHI, ASHI or InterNACHI websites.
A home inspector is sometimes confused with a real estate appraiser. A home inspector determines the condition of a structure, whereas an appraiser determines the value of a property. Although not all states or municipalities in the U.S. regulate home inspectors, there are some professional associations for home inspectors that provide education, training, and networking opportunities. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of a house. It is not an inspection to verify compliance with appropriate codes."