Proper home inspection tools are the basic hardware required by professional home inspectors, and sometimes by sellers’ agents, to evaluate the actual health of a structure. Accurate tools provide an understanding of the overall condition that goes beyond the surface of walls and floors. In some cases, only by using accurate home inspection tools are the inspectors able to point out problems that the sellers might not be even aware of. This way, home inspection tools help protect not only buyers, but also sellers and agents involved in a real estate transaction.
A home inspection is the last opportunity for a buyer to exercise a right to rescission in a real estate deal. Unless they are able to show exactly why the property is not what is was represented to be, buyers may pay steep penalties if they seek to undo a real estate transaction. To protect their investment, buyers hire home inspectors who use a variety of professional home inspection tools to certify the veracity of any claims made on behalf of the seller’s agent. The American Home Inspection Training Institute came up with a professional inspector tool kit that represents the minimum hardware requirements for the profession.
Home inspection tools are designed to augment the home inspector’s senses. For instance, the naked eye may not see any wetness and the nose may not sense a musty smell indicative of a moisture problem, however a non-invasive moisture meter can penetrate wood, drywall and brick up to one inch in depth in order to get an accurate reading of any hidden dampness problems.
In addition, some home inspection tools allow for a visual recording of any findings the home inspection reveals. The micro inspection camera, for example, not only allows remote access into inaccessible places such as crawlspaces, in between walls and behind appliances, but it also records the sights it encounters. These recordings can be downloaded to a computer and played back for the home inspector, buyer or seller. This type of camera-supported inspection provides a greater insight into the overall condition of a structure.
Due to the accuracy of professional home inspection tools, home sellers now do much more than just paint over any problem spots. Instead, more often than not they now fix leaks, stress fractures or other structural problems before putting the property up for sale, otherwise they may reduce the sale price in keeping with the extent of the damages uncovered. A professional home inspection protects the sellers from lawsuits, while buyers are protected from paying a fortune for a property that requires extensive work.