In discussions with novice and experienced inspectors, exactly the same things come up over and over again. Here are ten things you should keep in mind as the inspection is conducted.1. Have realistic expectations about the home.A limited understanding of aging in older homes can create stress in purchasers, who might expect a greater degree of perfection than would typically be possible.Everyone knows that there is an improvement between a 100 year old house and a newer home. Older houses perform differently, and were built to different standards. Older homes age differently predicated on era of construction.A perfect example of this is usually a basement that has been originally built of stone, then filled with mortar and parged to create a more water-resistant area. Though it still leaks, that is the average 100 year old basement, which may not be considered acceptable in a 20 year old home. Or consider that an older septic bed or weeping tile system is more vunerable to problems than a newer one.Even though there are norms for aging in homes that make very good general guidelines, each house has its own unique personality you need to understand and respect.2. Keep your emotions in check.You would like to avoid feeling roller coaster highs and lows when major expense items are identified by the inspector. Maintaining your emotions in check allows you to absorb more information and to avoid getting overwhelmed by "all of the little things".As a purchaser, you need to understand that your feelings on the building aren't relevant to the inspector's actual report. The inspector is required to report on every defect that he finds, however the inspector also needs to put things into context for you.Of course, a good inspector won't over-express his personal feelings and opinions about a house, and what ought to be done with the house. The inspector should not lose sight of what the homebuyer may be thinking or feeling as a way to help his client make an informed assessment. This allows the inspector to describe the things that need extra clarification.3. There is no such thing as a defect-free home.A fresh structure will have some items in need of correction, and the most immaculately kept home will also have some issues that might use some improvement. There is no home ever inspected that required no ink on the inspection report.The inspector is attempting to educate you on all the little things that ought to be done, and he also offers the overall goal of assisting you identify major expense items. While it may seem like the inspector is picking on your own purchase decision, he is really just attempting to pack just as much information as he is able to into the limited timeframe that he must spend with you. Understand that you should keep things in context.Inspectors desire to give their clients plenty of useful and relevant information on the house, but sometimes, even though there aren't any major issues, it is possible that some inspectors may go overboard by individually describing all the little things. It may only be considered a window screen here, and a door knob over there, but following a long descriptive analysis of several details, you may arrive at the conclusion that "My God! There are a great number of things wrong with this particular house!"A good inspector will not waste everyone's time and emotional capacity discussing every doorknob and screen inside your home. You need to be told verbally, and on paper, there are "one or more" or "some" or "several" minor repairs or improvements required on doorknobs or window screens, or whatever.4. You must understand the most crucial items now.It is a good idea to differentiate between what you what is critical to know now, and what you can clarify once you move in.For instance, in the inspector's efforts to make sure that you successfully accomplish a maintenance activity on your own new home, he might tell you how easy it really is and possibly explain how exactly to do it. Remember that he is letting you know for information purposes, and that you will need additional guidance or instruction when actually doing it for yourself.5. The inspection procedure is the same every time.The inspector follows a systematic approach to examining and reporting on items, so he'll lead you through the home and the method that you things in a specific order. This consistency of approach is the method he uses to cover all the countless items that he must examine.In the event that you consistently ask questions about things that the inspector has not yet had a chance to discuss, then you will throw him off and he might forget to describe something of note.This is not designed to dissuade you from asking pertinent questions to greatly help clarify things in your thoughts. In case you are wondering "What on earth is he talking about now?" then you have to ask the inspector to describe. While you can telephone your inspector at any time, you have an ideal opportunity to share his time now.For example, if he could be discussing basement dampness and you also enquire about the electrical system, he should redirect your attention to the topic accessible, and then discuss the electrical when the time comes.6. Pay attention.This sounds obvious, but every inspector has encountered a period if they have given their clients a large explanation about why something should be done, or not done, only to find out later they completely missed (or misinterpreted) a significant factor. In case a homebuyer isn't listening, the message simply will not get through.The inspection is an important time, made to inform you and save you money in the short and long term. If you are distracted by anything (children, relatives, friends, etc), you might not get some important info. Do not consider the inspection a good opportunity to show the home to important people in your life.If there are way too many people saying too many things all at one time, don't be shy to politely ask for some space to check with your inspector. The inspector may also redirect your focus on the business at hand.7. The inspector is a generalist, not just a specialist.The inspector knows how to diagnose problems, but the smart inspector will not offer solutions if he could be not completely conversant in the matter accessible. He should guide you to consult a specialist if the matter involves a far more thorough analysis.However, all inspectors have a specialty. If he could be a licensed electrician, then you will get more info on electrical issues than if he could be an engineer.8. The inspection is the only thing the inspector knows about.A lot of the issues involving a home purchase have nothing to do with the inspection. Unless he is being paid to pump a septic tank or test a well, you're probably a little off-track discussing it. In the event that you ask where in fact the boundary lines are or what the home value is, you should be told by the inspector that he doesn't know. These discussions won't accomplish anything at the moment, and it's something you'd be better off discussing with your agent or lawyer.Take into account the big picture, keeping in mind that investing in a house is a big project, and the inspector is only paid to be engaged in one part of it.9. Have fun.It isn't every day that you get to buy a home. Enjoy the process as best as you can. Lighten up. You will find a lot of work and angst involved in home inspections and home buying, and adding stress will take away from your effectiveness in understanding the inspection and making decisions.10. Follow up.If your inspector directs one to follow up on issues with another specialist, be it for termites, wood stoves, insurance or other issues, it is incumbent upon one to do so. This is simply not a case of the inspector passing the buck, but an incident of making you aware of conditions that require further investigation.There are also likely to be areas which are disclaimed because of restricted access. Focus on these once you can to help you learn if anything was hidden from view.If you are told to do some maintenance and neglect to do so, there might be negative consequences. For example, failing to caulk the bathtub or re-grout the tiles you could end up a simple case of rot, or plaster could fall with damage to furnishings or personal injury. The inspector may not warn you of most possible consequences, because he expects that you'll do your homework regarding repairs or maintenance.References:OAHI's KRMG Educational Series, Part 5Frank Gruszewski has been involved with construction since 1983, and contains renovated century homes, new homes and everything in between. He started his home inspection company in 1995, quickly became a Registered Home Inspector (RHI) with OAHI and today has multiple inspectors doing work for his clients. He's got a qualification in computer science, is really a firefighter, and is married to a wonderful woman. Four children keep him on his toes. Visit his website at http://www.torontohomeinspections.com