The Homebuyers

Home Inspection
Report
 The Details of the Home
Inspection

Home Inspection

Is a Home Inspection
Required?

Does Georgia have a Home

Inspecting Licensing
Program?
Georgia - Trade Practice Act
(Chapter 3, Title 8) enacted
in 1994
Home Inspection

Is a Home Inspection
Required?
 The Details of the Home
Inspection

In the United States, there are over 142 million homes with an average
age of 39 years, as per 2019 data. This signifies a gradual aging of the
owner-occupied housing stock, compared to a median age of 31 years in
2005. Residential construction has lagged behind, particularly after the
Great Recession, leading to an increasing remodeling market due to the
need for adding new amenities and repairing or replacing old components.
Rising home prices are encouraging homeowners to invest more in home
improvement.
 The Details of the Home
Inspection
The recent average duration of homeownership stands at eight years,
with a median of 13.2 years in 2021, representing a three-year increase
over the past decade.

In Georgia, home inspections are crucial for potential homebuyers to

discover flaws, defects, and performance issues in homes. Home
inspectors identified issues requiring attention in 86% of inspections,
along with recommendations for future maintenance. Their assessments
encompass evaluating whether issues pose safety risks, necessitate
repairs, or are minor concerns.
 The Details of the Home
Inspection

Home Inspection

Is a Home Inspection
Required?

Does Georgia have a Home

Inspecting Licensing
Program?
Georgia - Trade Practice Act
(Chapter 3, Title 8) enacted
in 1994
 The Details of the Home
Inspection

Is a Home Inspection
Required?

Does Georgia have a Home

Inspecting Licensing
Program?

Georgia - Trade Practice Act

(Chapter 3, Title 8) enacted
in 1994
 Home Inspection

A home inspection is a documented, professional opinion of a home-based on a

visual evaluation and operational
testing of the home’s systems and components to determine their current
condition. Inspections can identify some
major key issues such as:
 Home Inspection
A home inspection is a documented, professional opinion of a home-based on a
visual evaluation and operational
testing of the home’s systems and components to determine their current
condition. Inspections can identify some
major key issues such as:

Wear and tear of mechanical systems

 Home Inspection

A home inspection is a documented, professional opinion of a home-based on a

visual evaluation and operational
testing of the home’s systems and components to determine their current
condition. Inspections can identify some
major key issues such as:

Mold
 Home Inspection

A home inspection is a documented, professional opinion of a home-based on a

visual evaluation and operational
testing of the home’s systems and components to determine their current
condition. Inspections can identify some
major key issues such as:

Cracked or damaged shingles on the roof

 Home Inspection

A home inspection is a documented, professional opinion of a home-based on a

visual evaluation and operational
testing of the home’s systems and components to determine their current
condition. Inspections can identify some
major key issues such as:

Plumbing leaks or cracks in walls

 Home Inspection

A home inspection is a documented, professional opinion of a home-based on a

visual evaluation and operational
testing of the home’s systems and components to determine their current
condition. Inspections can identify some
major key issues such as:

Improperly wired switches or faulty outlets

 Home Inspection

A home inspection is a documented, professional opinion of a home-based on a

visual evaluation and operational
testing of the home’s systems and components to determine their current
condition. Inspections can identify some
major key issues such as:

Cracks in windows or doors

 Home Inspection

A home inspection is a documented, professional opinion of a home-based on a

visual evaluation and operational
testing of the home’s systems and components to determine their current
condition. Inspections can identify some
major key issues such as:

Termite or rodent infestation

 Home Inspection

A home inspection is a documented, professional opinion of a home-based on a

visual evaluation and operational
testing of the home’s systems and components to determine their current
condition. Inspections can identify some
major key issues such as:

Foundation issues
Is a Home Inspection Required ?

- NO! A home inspection is not required. However, it is rare that a home buyer
or buyer agent may not insist on scheduling one even if the buyer will perform
an “As-Is” home inspection, which means that the inspection is only to identify
major defects. It doesn’t matter whether you’re buying a new construction or a
pre-existing home; an inspection is bound to reveal some problems.
Does Georgia have a Home Inspecting Licensing Program ?

- NO. Georgia is one of about 20 states that still have not adopted licensing for
home inspectors. The profession is self regulated. No pre-license, no field
training and experience required and no CE hours.
Does Georgia have a Home Inspecting Licensing Program ?

- NO. Georgia is one of about 20 states that still have not adopted licensing for
home inspectors. The profession is self regulated. No pre-license, no field
training and experience required and no CE hours.
 Georgia - Trade Practice Act (Chapter 3, Title 8) enacted in 1994

Georgia law requires home inspectors to provide written documents

containing certain information with regard to inspections. This written
document must include the scope of the inspection, including the structural
elements and systems to be inspected, that the inspection is a visual
inspection, and that the home inspector will notify, in writing, theperson on
whose behalf such inspection is being made of any defects noted during the
inspection.
 Georgia - Trade Practice Act (Chapter 3, Title 8) enacted in 1994

It is important that real estate agents and their clients check the inspector’s
credentials to verify that the home
inspector has been trained and certified from an organization/association in
home inspections. There are several
organizations that provide training and certifications (Georgia does not
require) such as:
Georgia - Trade Practice Act (Chapter 3, Title 8) enacted in 1994

 ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) - http://www.homeinspector.org

Georgia - Trade Practice Act (Chapter 3, Title 8) enacted in 1994

 ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) - http://www.homeinspector.org

 NAHI (National Association of Home Inspectors) - http://www.nahi.org

Georgia - Trade Practice Act (Chapter 3, Title 8) enacted in 1994

 ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) - http://www.homeinspector.org

 NAHI (National Association of Home Inspectors) - http://www.nahi.org

 International Association of Certified Home Inspectors -
https://www.nachi.org/articles.htm
Georgia - Trade Practice Act (Chapter 3, Title 8) enacted in 1994

 ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) - http://www.homeinspector.org

 NAHI (National Association of Home Inspectors) - http://www.nahi.org

 International Association of Certified Home Inspectors -
https://www.nachi.org/articles.htm
 GAHI (Georgia Association of Home Inspections) - www.gahi.com Founded in 1989
that require ICC Code (Code Certified Combination Inspection) Certified. Certified in
residential codes; building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical. Members must
successfully complete written exams, perform a minimum of 250 inspections and
attain certification by the International Code Council as a Residential Dwelling
Inspector.
Georgia - Trade Practice Act (Chapter 3, Title 8) enacted in 1994

 ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) - http://www.homeinspector.org

 NAHI (National Association of Home Inspectors) - http://www.nahi.org

 International Association of Certified Home Inspectors -
https://www.nachi.org/articles.htm
 GAHI (Georgia Association of Home Inspections) - www.gahi.com Founded in 1989
that require ICC Code (Code Certified Combination Inspection) Certified. Certified in
residential codes; building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical. Members must
successfully complete written exams, perform a minimum of 250 inspections and
attain certification by the International Code Council as a Residential Dwelling
Inspector.
What technical training does a home inspector need ?
What technical training does a home inspector need ?

Inspection strategies, test procedures and problem

identification
What technical training does a home inspector need ?
• Inspection strategies, test procedures and problem identification
• Technical knowledge of all house systems, heating and cooling, water heater, appliances, light fixtures
• Plumbing, heating and electrical systems
• Elements of construction from foundation to roof
• Exterior: basement and crawl space, structure, retaining walls, doors and windows, lot grading, driveways,
patios, decks, balconies, steps, flashing, eaves, soffits, fascia, trim, chimney,
• Interior: bathroom, kitchen, attic, insulation, ventilation systems, ceilings, floors, basements, doors and
windows, stairs/railings, counter tops and cabinets, garage doors/door operators, fireplace
• Mold, radon, moisture survey – Tools: moisture meter and combustible as detector
• City and county codes
• Identify deferred maintenance items and energy efficiency
• Communication and writing skills to clearly communicate the inspection report
Does Georgia require continuing education from home
inspectors ?

- No requirement. Inspectors must have business license, liability

insurance, and aggrieved parties can bring civil court actions, existing
regulation was adequate.
PROPER
TRAINING
 Proper Training

- Whether you are a licensed contractor with a background in the building

trades or you’re the Mr. Fixit of the neighborhood, real estate agents will
want to see reputable credentials specific to home inspection before they
begin referring business your way.
 Proper Training

A real estate practitioner is generally not qualified to discover defects or evaluate

the physical condition of property. Therefore, inspection of property is beyond their
scope of expertise. Buyers should be encouraged to satisfy themselves as to the
condition and desirability of property they are interested in purchasing. Preforming
various inspections is critical and the single most important thing a buyer can do
for their protection. In addition, the buyer should require a “Seller Property
Disclosure Statement” revealing all material facts of the property and request the
seller to provide an Energy Audit from their EMC (Electric Membership Company).
We are now operating under the 2021 International Building and Energy codes.
Older homes may need to be updated to code regarding repairs of plumbing,
heating and electrical.
 Proper Training

Most residential sale contracts contain a clause that allows the buyer to
withdraw from the agreement if a professional inspection was done and shows
defects in the property that is not an acceptable property condition to them or
the buyer may the seller an opportunity to resolve a major problem that's just
been discovered to keep the contract going.
A property inspection can be performed for a variety of reasons. Federal law
leaves regulation of home inspections to individual states; however, home
inspections are highly recommended to buyers regardless of the law. Either
way, the buyer should plan for a home inspection to be part of their real estate
transaction.
 Proper Training

Some home deficiencies are more obvious than others but it’s the hidden deficiencies
that make for unwelcome surprises that could pose a significant financial or physical
injury risk to the next homeowner. Trained home inspectors can uncover existing
problems, as well as recognize early indicators of future problems. An inspection
provides information of the house’s condition, good and bad. More than 3,000 different
items and systems are checked during an inspection.
When the inspection has been completed, the buyer will be provided with a detailed
narrative report with pictures and a video about the home’s physical condition, its
systems and fixtures and usually notes any potential future problems, what to expect in
terms of repairs to the house, basic maintenance and energy conservation. It helps to
identify small defects before they become large and expensive.
 Proper Training

This type of education is empowerment. It helps to comfort buyer doubts and eliminate
surprises and it allows the buyer to evaluate the house through the eyes of an objective
third party and discover items that the seller was not even aware of. In addition, it will
help buyers to budget for repairs, maintenance and home revisions after moving in.
It is interesting how attitudes change. Much of the turnabout regarding home
inspections can be attributed to the increasing number of lawsuits filed over unknown
defects, which home buyers later discovered. Real estate agents quickly learned that
they (and their brokers) could be named in a lawsuit for failing to advise a buyer to
obtain a home inspection prior to closing. Almost overnight, home inspections became
common part of the real estate transaction.
 Proper Training

Sellers typically are required to disclose any known defects or material facts to
a buyer. Proving that a seller willfully refused to disclose or held back
detrimental yet pertinent information can sometimes be a challenge.
Situations exist in which a buyer might believe a seller absolutely had to know
about a defect and, it's quite possible the seller had no knowledge. Those
situations don't arise as often anymore since the advent of expected home
inspections
GAR Form F201 Purchase and
Sales Agreement