Is an inspection the same as an appraisal?

When buying a home it is advised to not only have an appraisal, but also an inspection of the home by a certified inspector. An inspector will inspect all areas of the home for damage and note any problems, such as electrical problems, faulty roof, termite damage, or any other problem a house may have. An appraiser performs an overview of a home and makes note of obvious deficiencies in a home but does not inspect every part of the home for problems.

If you property is located where termite is common, ask the inspector to conduct the termite inspection while he is doing the regular home inspection. Some BC lender will ask the borrower to provide the termite inspection as well.

A Uniform Residential Appraisal Report will usually contain a disclaimer from the appraiser saying that they are not performing in the capacity of a home inspector and that their training and expertise is not in evaluating the fitness and serviceability of specific components of the home.

Be advised, not to confuse the term Home inspection with the term Appraisal Inspection. They have two different meanings.

There are two separate charges for a home inspection and for an appraisal report. The lender will generally require you to have an appraisal done on the property to determine the value and general condition of the property. The home inspection is up to you though to decide if you would like to have one or not. A home inspection by a certified home inspector is highly recommended to make sure the house is up to date and note and deficiencies and possible trouble areas.

If you have any concerns about the condition of a property consult with your Realtor prior to submitting an offer. In some cases you can submit an offer contingent on a satisfactory home inspection, or make the seller of the property agree to pay for up to $X based on the inspectors findings.