Illinois

Illinois Home Inspector

If you live in Illinois and are considering buying a home, there are many issues to consider before your closing date. One of these is the Illinois home inspection. This is a procedure designed to help you with your purchase and should not be taken lightly. When undertaking such a costly enterprise such as home buying, it is essential that both home buyer and seller are protected.

Home inspections are required by law in Illinois as a means of protecting buyers from undisclosed potential problems in the home buying process. By the same token, a law was passed to ensure that all home inspectors meet certain criteria through education and passing an examination. The law requires this so that home buyers are protected from incompetent inspectors. The home seller is also provided with information that he or she may not have known prior to the inspection, ensuring better preparation for future sales attempts if the current one should fall through for any reason.

An Illinois home inspection includes examination of the interior and exterior of the real estate property. The home inspector must examine at least two of these areas: Roof, Foundation, Structure, Electrical System, Plumbing System, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems.

To be an Illinois home inspector, you must be at least 21 years old and apply to the Division of Professional Regulation. You must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. You will also have to attend and show proof of attendance for the requisite classroom hours of instruction from a DPR approved instructor. Finally you must pass a DPR authorized exam.

It is imperative to remember that anyone who engages, develops, practices or advertises as a home inspector without the proper licensing and credentials is guilty of a Class A Misdemeanor. Anyone promoting the term “home inspector” without the proper licensing and credentials is also guilty. Since home inspectors are dealing with issues that can involve safety and the lives of those using their services, any misrepresentation can have an adverse effect on the entire home buying process. This must be avoided at all costs as those who violate licensing provisions are subject to criminal prosecution and fines.

If you are a real estate agent and want to suggest a home inspector to your client, you are also obligated to make sure the person or persons you refer are properly licensed. Failure to do so can jeopardize your own real estate license as well as result in other legal problems.

Buying a home in Illinois is a tremendous undertaking for anyone, especially in today's market. You can take one of your worries away by making sure you have the proper Illinois home inspection performed on your potential property.