Don’t consider an inspection of the home and property as a complete evaluation, but rather property evaluation on the day it is inspected, taking into account normal wear and tear of the home based on age and location. An inspection of the property can also include for extra, Radon testing, pest inspections, pool inspections, water testing, energy audits, and many other specific items that may be location-specific.
Home inspections are also done (less often) by a seller before listing the property to see if there are any hidden problems, and also by owners simply wishing to care for their homes, prevent surprises, and keep the home investment value as high as possible
The following are areas that inspectors pay close attention to when inspecting your home:
1. Major flaws, such as large cracks in the foundation; building out of plumb or level; decks not supported or installed properly, and others. These are items that are expensive to repair, which we classify as entire systems requiring over 1.8% of the purchase price to repair.
2. Items that could lead to major flaws – a roof leak that could grow larger, damaged downspouts that could cause backup and water intrusion, or a beam that was not tied in to the structure properly.
3. Safety hazards, such as lack of safety railing on decks more than 30 inches off the ground, lack of GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters), exposed wiring in kitchens and bathrooms, etc.
Your inspector will advise you about what to do about these issues. He/she may recommend an evaluation on serious issues – by certified and/or licensed professionals who specialize in the problem areas. For example, your inspector will advise you call a licensed structural or building engineer if he/she finds sections of the home that are out of alignment, as this could indicate a major structural deficiency and one that might cost thousands of dollars to repair.
Home Inspections are always paid for by a buyer once they sign a formal agreement, right?
This is simply not true! As you will discover when you continue reading, a home inspection may be used for interim inspections in new construction projects, as a maintenance tool with a current home owner, a proactive technique by home owners to produce their home more sellable, and by buyers wanting to determine the situation of the potential home.
Sellers, specifically, can benefit from obtaining a home inspection before listing the home. Here are only a several advantages for the home owner:
· The home owner will be alerted to any safety issues found in the home before they open it down for open house tours.
· A home inspection can help the home owner become more objective in regards to setting a fair price on the home.
· The home owner could make repairs leisurely instead of being in a hurry after the contract is signed.
· The home owner usually takes the report and allow it to be into an advertising piece for the home.