Home Inspections

As a home inspector, I've seen my share my homes with major problems. An inspection by a qualified home inspector is part of the process to help ease any fears of major problems that may exist. Those people who are buying their first home will be understandably nervous concerning this part of the home buying process. They have found the home they want to buy and after this the inspection has to be done to ensure the home has no major problems.

Here are 5 tips for ensuring you pass your home inspection:

1.) Test all electrical outlets. Check to make sure they've been installed correctly and that they are all working properly. You should hire an electrician to repair outlets that don't work and to check to make sure all three-pronged plugs are grounded properly.

2.) Check to make sure that the basement or crawlspace area is free of mildew, mold and moisture. Contact mold experts if you do see signs of mold.

3.) Inspect the roof by examining the interior and exterior structure.Check for missing shingles, chimney damage, flashing or eaves. Check to make sure the gutters and downspouts are clear and working properly.

4.) Find a qualified plumber to inspect water pressure. Check to make sure there are no leaks, drips or rusty pipes which can affect the quality of the water.

5.) Get the expertise of an HVAC professional to get your heating and cooling system in top shape. Replace the filters. Make sure the exterior is free of leaves or other debris.

What makes a home inspection necessary?

Even if it is not a first home, the process will be the same and the prospective buyer is on pins and needles until the results from the home inspection says the house has no defects that would delay or stop the sale. Areas that need to be inspected should be fully accessible to the inspector. If they are not, there is a concern that something is being covered up and this could impact the pending sale.

The home inspection is essential to ease any worries the buyer has concerning problems which could end up becoming quite expensive. If an inspector needs to have access to a crawl space or an attic, the area should not be blocked so that they cannot enter. Move whatever is in the way and allow the inspection of this area.

If there is a problem, it may not be a major one and if it's the prospective buyer needs to know. Not disclosing an issue you understand of concerning your home can leave you wide open for recourse when the buyer purchases the home without being told about this problem.

Part of the inspection is ensuring all GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupters) are working properly. The outlets may have two buttons. One is for testing and the other is to reset it. They are extremely important in the bathroom as numerous people use electrical devices around water.

The home inspector will often use tools as well as visibly inspecting for many things. Leaks will be checked for around the toilet, the sink and the ceiling, if there is a suspicion that there may be a roof problem.

If there is evidence that something is causing a problem, the homeowner can agree to fix it and the sale can progress. However, when there is a problem such as a leak and the homeowner does not want to fix this problem, the sale of the property could be affected by this issue.

Often the initial homebuyer will need everything checked all the way through. They don't want to buy a home and have to start sinking money into it to fix it.

Today, the inspection is really a routine and required part of buying a home. The lending company wants the inspection because they are investing money and they want to make sure it is worth the selling price.

The days when you could just purchase a house and take possession as soon as the money exchanges hands are gone. An inspection is a necessary component of home buying today.