What to Look for in Home Inspection

Is This Your New Home Sweet Home?

Once you’ve found the perfect home, you’ll want to try to assess how well the property has been maintained over time, carefully review all property disclosure documents and do a more thorough examination of the property for any hidden surprises. Hiring a home inspector who has extensive credentials is generally considered a wise move.

A home inspection should include a thorough review of:

• Structural elements: construction of walls, ceilings, floors, roof, foundations
• Exterior evaluation: elevation, drainage, driveways, fences, sidewalks, fascia, trim, doors, windows, lights, and exterior receptacles
• Roof/Attic: framing, ventilation, type of roof construction, flashing, and gutters
• Plumbing: identify pipe materials for potable, drain, waste and vent pipes as well as condition of toilets, showers, sinks, faucets, and traps
• Systems and components: water heaters, furnaces, air conditioning, duct work, chimney, fireplace and sprinklers
• Electrical: main panel, circuit breakers, types of wiring, grounding, exhaust fans, receptacles, ceiling fans and light fixtures
• Appliances: dishwasher, range/oven, built-in microwaves, garbage disposal and smoke detectors
• Garage: slab, wall, ceiling, vents, entry, firewall, garage door, openers, lights receptacles, exterior, windows and roof

 

You’ll also want to know what isn’t included in the home inspection. Some areas frequently not included in the inspection, or included only at a cursory level are:

• Asbestos
• Radon, methane, radiation, formaldehyde
• Wood-destroying organisms
• Mold, mildew, fungi
• Rodent presence
• Lead

Marie Dickinson

Information is from Prudential Cooper Realtor

www.MarieDickinson.com

Home Inspections

The home buying process is a lengthy one, and many buyers rush through or even forgo the home inspection. It’s important that you don’t make the same mistake! Professional home inspections can save you time and money, or even prevent you from making a disastrous deal. In case you’re not convinced, I’ve compiled a quick list of some serious home defects that can be found during a home inspection:

• Defect #1: Bad Foundation

  Unless you can negotiate a price reduction to cover cost, walk away.

• Defect #2: Worn Roof

  Most likely it will need to be replaced. If the seller will not do so, negotiate a lower price.

• Defect #3: Termite Infestation

  The house is probably in need of expensive structural repairs. Unless the seller is willing to help pay, it’s probably not a good investment.

• Defect #4: Outdated Wiring

  This can be expensive to correct, and is a dangerous problem. Negotiate with the seller after getting an estimate from an electrician.

• Defect #5: Damaged Shower Pan

  Get an estimate from a contractor if you find water under the shower, and negotiate with the seller to cover costs.

Protecting your investment, especially one as special as a new home, is crucial. An expert home inspection is often the most important step in securing that protection. More tips on home buying are available on my website. If you’d like to talk more about home inspections or any of your real estate questions, please call. I’d love to hear from you.

Marie Dickinson

www.MarieDickinson.com

Home Inspections

Sellers:

Getting ready to sell your home.  There are things you can do to help the home inspection go smoother.  It will also make the home look better when showing to prospective buyers.

• Air Conditioner and heating - Change the filters, use vinegar and water to clean off dirt and mold from the outside of the housing, clean the return, bottom line –  have it surviced.  Have the ducts taped or replaced if necessary.  When someone is buying a house this is one of the top selling points of a home.
• Sinks - Clean out underneath sinks and fix any leaks.  If the faucets leak around the top, go ahead and replace it.
• Wall sockets  – make sure each plug-in works.  Check the GFI’s in wet areas.
• Water   check for leaks and sediment around joints.  Clean the outside of the unit.

Buyers:

• Have your realtor give you at least three different inspectors.
• If the property has extras- such as detached garages, storage sheds, or work shop –  ask for the extra cost of inspecting these
• If property has more than one AC unit some inspectors charge extra, ask
• If property has irrigation system, well water pump will the inspector inspect it.
• Inspectors “might” can give generalized idea on the expected life of a roof, heating/air units.  But they will not be liable if the items do not last that long.  In truth, not something they should give out because no one really knows how long something will last.  Without knowing the history of maintenance…impossible.
• Inspectors point out all the things that may need to be attended to.  If it is an older home, then yes there may be a lot there.  Some of the items are simple fixes and some are not.  When you read the report you need to ask yourself- “Is this something I am willing to deal with”,  ” is this something to be nick-picky over, and risk losing the deal”, or “is this something big that needs to be dealt with in order to buy”.
• If it is a fore-closure or short-sale, then most of these are not even able to have things repaired or fixed and sold as-is.