Home Inspections

Why do people buy a home without getting a home inspection? Could it because they are sadistic or they don't mind burning money. A home inspection should be on the top of your list for things to do before closing on a home. Lets explore the downside of not getting a home inspection and then discover the upside.

Let's look at some of the problems that could occur if you don't get a home inspection. The obvious problem is that something major is wrong with the house. Major problems could be that the home has structural damage, termite damage, water damage, major roof problems, grading problems, electrical problems, plumbing problems etc... There is nothing worse than buying a home with major problems and then having to pay thousands of dollars to get the problems fixed. Assuming that you can get the problems fixed. I have seen problems that can't be fixed and the home is a total loss. Don't be the next victim, get a home inspection.

Of course there are many minor problems that the home inspector could find. I am a real estate investor and every home I have bought I had inspected before I bought it. Home inspectors spend on average three hours in the home. Typically they will spend one hour outside the home and two inside. They will give you a report at the end of the inspection. Don't expect them to tell you how much repairs will cost. You will need to ask a contractor to make an estimate as to how much the repairs will cost. Once you have finished the inspection you are now armed with serious ammunition.

The upside of ordering a home inspection before buying your home is you can ask the seller to repair everything on the list or reduce the price of the home based on the repair cost. If you want to buy a $200,000 home and your repair cost are $10,000 you would ask the seller reduce the price to $190,000. Let's say you didn't get the home inspection and paid the $200,000 for the home. After a couple of months you realize there is something wrong with the roof. The contractor tells you that you need a new roof. You now are faced with paying another $10,000 for the home. Your total cost without the home inspection is $210,000 versus the total with an inspection of $190,000. How long does it take you to make $20,000 spend able cash?

Bottom line is that you must get a home inspection before buying a home. For around $250 you could save thousands of dollars and a few headaches.

A thorough home inspection is one of the most important steps before purchasing a home, and many buyers try to skip this step only to end up regretting it later when problems become apparent. Your home is the place you go to get away from the world, and to relax and put your feet up, or spend time with your family and friends. You want to be reassured that the home you buy is safe and in good condition. A home inspection can give you this peace of mind, using a visual inspection of every aspect of the home both inside and out. This should be done by a professional home inspector who has the education, knowledge, and experience needed to identify problems which may not be readily apparent.

There are some questions you should ask any prospective home inspection company, and things to consider, to guarantee you get a thorough and complete inspection. How long has the inspector been doing these inspections? How many home inspections does the inspector do in a year? How much experience does the home inspector have inspecting homes identical to the one you are buying? These questions are important, because without adequate experience the inspector may miss signs of a hidden problem. Choose a home inspection company that exclusively does only home inspections, and does not just practice this as a sideline to their day job. Ask about the reports that will be given, will you get a written report, an oral report, or both? Does the home inspection company have certification? Do they have insurance?

Set up an appointment for the home inspection with both the seller and the home inspector. Make the appointment during the daytime, when there is plenty of daylight so that flaws and problems will be noticeable instead of hidden in shadows. Allow for at least two to three hours for the home inspection, and make sure you are present. Ask questions of the home inspector, and listen to the answers closely. Make sure that you contact the seller, and that they agree to the visit by the home inspector at the specified time and day. Give the home inspector the name, address, and phone number of the buyer, and the address and directions to the home being inspected, as well as any codes needed to access any lock box that may be installed.

If you need to reschedule the home inspection appointment, make sure to give the inspection company at least twenty four to forty eight hour notice before the appointment time, to avoid being charged. Make sure that all utilities are on at the home, including the electric and gas, and make sure that all appliances like the furnace and hot water heater are on and running. Arrange with the seller for the home inspector to have access to everything, including any attics, basements, garages, outbuildings, closets, and other areas. This will ensure a complete and thorough professional home inspection. Also make arrangements with the seller to make sure any furniture or stored belongings which may block access to electrical panels, access panels, and appliances are moved before the inspector arrives. Payment is expected after the home inspection is done, before the inspector leaves the home, so make sure to have a check or money order ready when the inspection is finished.

When looking at homes, do a personal inspection of each home to narrow down the list of possibilities. A professional home inspection should be done on the home you finally decide to purchase, but doing a personal inspection on each potential purchase will help you weed out the obvious bad choices and save you time and energy. Look for things like apparent cracks or shifts in the foundation, obvious electrical malfunctions, sockets that have scorch marks, signs of severe water damage or mold growth, evidence of leaks, both inside and outside the home, the overall condition and age of the roof, dampness or signs of flooding in the basement or crawlspace, and other signs of repairs that may be needed.

There are some things that a home inspection may not cover, depending on where you live and what company you use for the inspection. Most of the time these are referred to as third party testing services, and they can include water quality testing, radon testing, mold testing, air quality testing, and inspection for wood boring and eating insects like termites. All of these tests may be considered important, depending on what the home inspection shows and any problems that may have been detected by the home inspector. If there is visible mold then mold testing may be suggested, to ensure it is not a toxic strain of mold that can cause human disease and illness. If the water quality is suspect, water testing may be suggested to guarantee that there are no bacteria or other organisms that can sicken you. Radon testing should always be done to make sure this cancer causing gas is not present in the home, and the home inspection report may suggest this as well. A termite inspection could be ordered if the inspector finds evidence that these pests may be present, and posing a danger to the structure of the home by eating the wood. Air quality testing may be done if there is any reason to suspect that the air in the home may be harmful to occupants, and this can be due to mold, radon, or other harmful airborne irritants and pathogens.

Knowing what to expect during a thorough professional home inspection, and the tips to make this process more effective and efficient, can help you get a good idea on any flaws in the home before you make the purchase, without any doubt or confusion involved. This step should never be omitted, even though it may seem costly, because it can save you significantly if there are hidden defects and unseen flaws.

Homebuyers want home inspection tips as they consider making a large financial investment. Tips about home inspection are especially valuable for those who have not purchased a house before. This article is intended to provide such readers the most important pointers to follow so that the real estate buying process is not so overwhelming.

The home inspection tips contained herein address three primary concerns, namely, how to select a home inspector, how to ensure you get the inspection you want and need, and how to get the most benefit out of the inspection report. These pointers apply whether or not you are working with a real estate agent. In fact, if you are working with an agent, these tips will help you get more involved so that the agent doesn't make all or even some decisions unilaterally.

Our first tip is to consider why you should have the house you plan to buy inspected. There are various motives or reasons for doing so, the most common of which is to avoid buying a money pit. Sometimes the lender requires an inspection, and in general it's a good idea to discover what may need to be remedied prior to closing. Also, though at one time a home warranty policy was commonly incorporated into the purchase agreement (perhaps seller and buyer sharing the cost), today the home inspection is in essence the only step taken to protect one's investment.

But this makes it all the more important to get a report that covers all the bases and serves as a kind of owner's manual to help you get acquainted to your new residence. Unfortunately, too often the inspection is somewhat rushed or even cursory. Minor problems might get glossed over and occasionally a serious major defect is missed. In such a case, if damages occur down the road, the buyer has some recourse by filing a claim, assuming the inspector is bonded. But the liability may be limited to the price of the inspection.

So our second tip is to find a home inspector who is thorough and who writes a complete report that puts everything he finds in proper perspective. If something is wrong, it is important to know what the implications are, just how serious the problem is, and how necessary it is to fix it.

To accomplish this, your inspector should not be too beholden to the real estate agent. If his primary goal is to please the agent (so he can continue to get referrals), he may take shortcuts. (Agents in general prefer quick inspections and summarized findings of major issues only.)

Don't ignore or discount an inspector referral from your agent, but ask for more than one name and research them. (Most inspectors have a website with sample reports, and you may find there or elsewhere reviews or client testimonials appraising their work.) Be sure you are going to get the kind of home inspection you want before choosing the inspector.

Our third tip builds on the first two and is similar to them. The first tip was the why, whereas the second advises care in determining who inspects the house and how it is inspected. This next tip advises taking care to establish what is inspected.

A number of things can cause an inspector to exclude items from the inspection. Examples are Standards of Practice, his contract, the utilities not being on, inaccessibility due to blocking objects or locked doors, and dangerous situations. Some of these things are under the inspector's control, some are not, but he is not liable for unintended exclusions and will charge the same fee despite them.

Thus, we recommend reviewing the contract carefully, identifying normally excluded items you want included and possibly normally included items you don't care about. Also, be sure that lender requirements and constraints will be accommodated. Discuss changes to the list of exclusions and inclusions with the inspector, potentially negotiating a reduced inspection fee.

Then, we advise leaving as little to chance as possible. Ask the inspector what his expectations are to ensure that all inclusions are actually inspected. Relay this information to your real estate agent, who is responsible for seeing that the expectations are met by making arrangements with the owner via the owner's listing agent. Now, any unintended exclusions that arise would suggest a deliberately uncooperative seller.

Our fourth tip is to get maximum leverage out of the inspection report. Study all findings in the body, not just the major items listed in the summary. If you followed our second tip faithfully, there should be nothing unclear, vague, or out of context. Even so, don't hesitate to ask the inspector for explanations or elaborations, who should be more than willing to comply.

Some findings may be purely informational and not defects. Some defects may be more or less trivial and not worth pursuing. Serious problems can be addressed in three different ways: as deal breakers, causing you to withdraw your offer; as things you want the seller to remedy prior to closing at his expense; or as conditions you will accept possibly with some form of compensation such as reduced sales price.

We advise against sharing the inspection report with the seller or listing agent. You have paid for it and it belongs to you. The lender may require a copy, but you may request him to keep it confidential. Simply work up a brief contract addendum with your agent covering items falling into the last two categories mentioned in the previous paragraph.

By following these home inspection tips, you stand the best chance of minimizing if not eliminating home-buying surprises.

We are often asked whether or not home inspection is mandatory? Is one required?

Generally, the answer to that strictly posed question is...No, they are not usually required. Some lending institutions might require an Inspection for a very old property and there may be some other specific scenarios where one might be required. It's rumored that there is legislation being proposed that might make them mandatory in some states or local areas. But for now, Home Inspections are not mandatory... strictly speaking.

According to Wikipedia:

A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home. Home inspections are usually conducted by a home inspector who has the training and certifications to perform such inspections. The inspector prepares and delivers to the client a written report of findings. The client then uses the knowledge gained to make informed decisions about their pending real estate purchase. The home inspector describes the condition of the home at the time of inspection but does not guarantee future condition, efficiency, or life expectancy of systems or components

And a fairly good definitive description that is... it's all about a potential buyer of a home exercising their due diligence in finding out all that they can about the home; to gather and collect all available information so that they are able to make an informed and educated purchase decision. It's all about becoming smarter about that for which you are about spend your money...in most cases, a large amount of money.

I would suggest that, perhaps, a better question might be whether or not attaining a Home Inspection is prudent. Is it a smart thing to have one performed? Is the attainment of a professional evaluation of the property something that you should require of yourself?

The answer to that questions should be a resounding...Yes! The vast majority of prudent consumers opt to have an inspection. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recommends that an inspection be accomplished. They have an entire publication titled For Your Protection: Get A Home Inspection that is readily available and that is devoted to home-buyers. In that publication, HUD-92564-CN, they urge people to be informed buyers:

Be an Informed Buyer

It is your responsibility to be an informed buyer. Be sure that what you buy is satisfactory in every respect. You have the right to carefully examine your potential new home with a qualified home inspector. You may arrange to do so before signing your contract, or may do so after signing the contract as long as your contract states that the sale of the home depends on the inspection.

Is a home inspection mandatory? From a legal standpoint, it's not likely that it is. From a lenders perspective, it's likely not required either. A Home Inspection is, however, a valuable tool for a prudent and educated home-buyer; a tool that, perhaps, should be considered as a... self-imposed... mandate.

During the process of buying or selling a home, a home inspection plays an important role informing both sides about the current state of the house. Moreover, existing home owners also seek an occasional home inspection to inform them about the state of the house and pursue necessary repairs before they become more costly.

A property inspection consists of a thorough physical inspection of the home - both exterior and interior. The home inspector will then prepare a detailed home inspection report that summarizes the findings and highlights key areas of concern. The report includes the general condition of the home's foundation, electrical, plumbing, visible insulation, and other systems. This report is delivered to the client in a timely fashion following the inspection.

The average cost of a home inspection ranges from $350-$650, which provides excellent value as long as the Inspector is of a high caliber. When one considers the magnitude of the problems that could impact a house, gaining comprehensive information easily pays for itself.

For instance, a pre-listing home inspection paid for by a Seller, proves beneficial. The property inspection report informs potential buyers of the condition of the property in advance of submitting a formal offer. This helps facilitate a smooth sales process by eliminating surprises once the negotiation is well underway.

There are a wide variety of home inspection companies that offer dramatically different levels of service. Certain home inspectors seek to offer the absolute lowest prices. They typically accomplish this since they are poorly trained, and by performing perfunctory inspections that are based on mere observations, rather than investigations. The end result is often a very disappointed client who has spent money, but received little in return.

Before you select your house inspection company, be sure they are of reputable quality with a core focus of providing an in depth investigation of a home. This will ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of all facets of the house. Of course, each and every home has at least some small amount of defects.

A good inspector distinguishes between major versus minor repairs, and helps inform the decision of whether a house is right for a particular buyer. As a home owner, these key distinctions are equally relevant and appreciated.

Methods for identifying a good property inspection company include:

- Asking friends and family members for a referral

- Search engines such as Google/Bing will list home inspectors in your local area

- Discussing with your real estate agent

- Most local banks could help you with a list of recommended home inspectors

It is imperative to complete detailed research on several of your local home inspection companies. Feel free to call the companies and ask what distinguishes them from the competition. You can then select the company that best suits your needs.

Even though the mechanicals in an apartment condo are locked in a basement room of a large complex, it is wise to have a home inspection done before you make a purchase. You may think it is just a condo, but think again. What you overlook before you buy may cost you thousands of dollars down the road.

Recently a home inspector was called upon to check out a condo apartment for a young couple who decided to purchase their first home. Their realtor had advised them to spend the time and money on having a home inspection done prior to making a purchase commitment. The inspector checked out the electrical room, the boiler room and the building's exterior. Although the electrical and boiler room checked out alright, the building's exterior stucco cladding turned out to be soft and was starting to break. It was clear the stucco had been mixed with too much sand and not enough cement causing breakage on the outer walls of what seemed to be a fairly new development. The condo's reserve fund had only a small allocation for stucco patching and nothing allocated for full stucco replacement, a repair that would be inevitable and would cost the condo owners around $150,000. The purchasers once having purchased the condo would then be part of the condo group and each condo owner would have been responsible for this huge replacement cost.

Unfortunately some property managers will not permit inspections of roofs and boiler rooms. It would make sense if a seller is trying to make a sale, buyers should have access to any part of the condo building for inspection purposes as the condo sale may well depend on it. Also, it would seem logical to assume that condo boards and property managers of those boards have an obligation to facilitate a quick sale and favorable pricing for all their homeowners. Providing access for inspection purposes of a large building should always be allowed. But too often that is not the case. And when access is not allowed, mistrust, doubt and the integrity of the sale is at stake. Having an open policy with the condo by-laws and an open policy with the inspection of the property is a positive step for all concerned.

A good building inspection prior to the condo purchase not only includes inspecting electrical rooms, boiler rooms, exhaust systems and an inspection of the exterior of the building, it also includes a full inspection of the interior of the condo itself. A great inspection includes checking the windows to make sure seals are not broken, checking all the plumbing and the fixtures that house the plumbing. In addition, appliances are tested to see if they are functioning properly, all electrical outlets are tested to make sure they are grounded. The humidity inside the condo is checked to make sure there is no excess humidity in the living area and then the living area is checked for mold and fungus. These are just a few of the services a good inspector provides for the cost of $300 to $400 dollars per inspection. Though this may seem like a high price to pay for such a small living area, the peace of mind it brings is priceless.

Whether you are a first time seller or a seasoned house flipper, one thing you have in common is that you want to sell your property in a timely manner and you want to make as much profit on the transaction as you possibly can. A valuable tool that can be used to help make this happen is a home inspection. You may find that thought kind of odd because one usually equates a home inspection to something a buyer would have done and not the seller. But in all actuality, if you are a smart seller, you will want to have a pre-listing home inspection done. One of the key elements of selling your home is to have a home inspection done before your home is placed on the market.

By having a pre-listing inspection done, you, the seller, can find out about any concealed problems that might exist in your home. You first start with the inspection itself. It needs to be performed by a trained professional. This is not something you can do yourself. Home Inspectors are taught how to take a look at your home and see past the cosmetic features. Their trained eye knows where and how to look for those tell tale signs that indicate a deeper problem than what is seen on the surface. Areas that are included in your average home inspection are the roof, foundation, crawlspaces, electrical, plumbing, doors and windows, attics, and the interior as well as exterior surfaces.

Once you schedule your pre-listing home inspection, make arrangements to be on site when the inspection is done. You will be able to actually see what the inspector finds and will gain a totally different perspective about your home. Also, you will have the opportunity to ask the inspector any questions that you might have regarding their work. A competent inspector will not mind your presence during their inspection.

After your inspection is complete, it is followed up with a written report that gives you all the details of their findings. Many reports are accompanied by diagrams and/or photographs of problem areas. As a seller, these reports are a useful tool. As they identify all the areas of concern, you are afforded the opportunity to make the needed repairs. This is most beneficial as you come close to eliminating any issues from surfacing when the buyer has their inspection done. It is much easier to take care of problems that are found in advance then having to deal with them in those few short weeks prior to closing.

So, as you can see, inspection reports give you, the seller, a heads up of what the actual condition of your home is and give you time to make the corrections. This could actually save you money in repairs as you are not under the gun and forced to make hasty decisions. It allows you to shop around and get the best price for the job needing to be done.

When you hire a home inspector in Westchester it is essential to understand what aspects of the home will be included in the inspection and what will need to be inspected separately by a specialist. While most professional inspectors will make you aware of the areas that will not be covered in the inspection, the client must take responsibility for knowing how far any given inspection will go toward protecting them from defects, both apparent and latent.

A home inspection in Westchester includes but is not limited to, the heating or cooling system and appliances, the plumbing in all the "wet rooms" of a house such as the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room, the electrical and wiring system, the drainage system, and the masonry, framing and other structural components of the residence. Also, the exterior landscape and the soil the foundation is set in are often included in a home inspection.

Although the plumbing is part of a routine home inspection, some homes have special considerations when it comes to septic systems and sewer connections. For these types of special concerns, a septic system professional may be called in to ensure the septic system is entirely sound. A home inspector is responsible for the piping inside the residence. As regards the outer fixtures, a specialist is required for a thorough and complete evaluation.

For defects such as radon gas accumulation or mold testing, special tests and inspections are needed as these problems are not part of a routine home inspection. Since these particular problems can have severe consequences but may be relatively easy to conceal for the short-term, a prudent home buyer will want to protect him or herself against such problems.

In addition, water quality testing is not part of a routine home inspection. Although a professional home inspector will ensure all the internal plumbing is sound and operational, the quality of the liquid coming out of the taps will require a special tester. Sometimes you can test the water quality of a home on your own, but, since you will need to send a sample away to a laboratory to get the results, it is often more expeditious to hire a water tester if the quality is a concern.

Finally, mold, while observed by a home inspector and evaluated as to its significance regarding water intrusion, a home inspection is not concerned with the toxicity of such mold. To determine if a residence has a toxic mold problem, special tests must be carried out. Since it is difficult to ensure an adequate, appropriate and indicative sample is collected, it would be safer if the inspection was carried out by an experienced professional.

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People who enjoy working independently and who have the ability to pay attention to detail may enjoy a career as a home inspector. Home inspectors tend to work "off-hours" such as evenings and weekends. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), home inspection jobs are experiencing growth faster than average for jobs in the real estate market.

Home Inspection Jobs - An Overview

Inspections are now considered a standard part of the home purchasing process, and many buyers will not purchase a home without a complete report from a certified inspector. Inspection jobs entail a full inspection and detailed report on the condition of a house's systems, parts, and structure. Because inspection jobs are typically independently contracted, inspectors do not have authority to enforce building code compliance-but they do check and report any violation of local building codes upon inspection.

Job Description

Home inspections are most commonly performed prior to purchasing a home. However, some people hire inspectors to review the home prior to placing it on the market for sale, in order to get an idea of what will need to be repaired and how to improve the condition of the home. Inspectors do not give precise estimates on repairs, however, nor do they inspect things like well water or septic systems. The main function of a home inspector is to analyze and report on the conditions of the exterior, interior, and components of a house (such as the HVAC system and electrical wiring). This job requires attention to detail and compliance with safety regulations, such as wearing hard hats or masks when entering a construction area.

Skills Required

inspection jobs require a number of skills, including, but not limited to:

• The ability to read blueprints

• A basic understanding of algebra and geometry

• The ability to communicate and write reports in English

• Being detail-oriented and able to visually analyze items for wear and tear

• The ability to gain familiarity with local building codes, ordinances, and regulations

Naturally the ability to read and write is necessary for this job, and it is important to keep up with any changes made to codes and regulations.

While a college education is not necessary for home inspection jobs, special coursework can help secure a license in home inspection. Certification requirements and licensing will vary from state to state. Many states with licensing requirements do entail submitting proof of education in a home inspection program, and passing a standard examination through the state board.

Home inspection careers are becoming more and more popular, even in a down real estate market as those who wish to sell or buy a home will always need to include a report from a home inspector (or would be wise to do so).

One of the biggest investments you'll make in your lifetime is your home. Because of this, having a home inspection is a very critical part of buying, as well as selling a home. Home inspectors vary in their years of experience, reporting methods, and pricing. Because of this, it's very important to pick the right one.

So what exactly is a home inspection? A home inspection is a non-invasive examination of the condition of a home and is often performed prior to the sale of a home. After a home is inspected, the inspector delivers a written report to the client of their findings, so that the client can then use that knowledge to make a decision on the pending purchase. The report will describe the condition of the home at the time of inspection, but does not guarantee future condition, efficiency, or life expectancy of systems or components.

The top five things that surprise a home owner when a home is inspected include:

1. Dry rotted bathroom floors
2. Major problems with heating and air conditioner units.
3. Foundation repairs
4. Roof replacement
5. Older home issues

Why should you hire a home inspector? There are many who will try to convince you otherwise by saying that it's an extra cost you don't need, or several of these other excuses.

1. "You should wait as long as possible before getting a home inspection" That's not true. Waiting until the last minute to get your home inspected, could leave you without the information needed to make an informed decision on a home. Usually, you have 10 days to perform an inspection, as well as working along the deadlines to cancel a contract on a house. If this deadline passes, you could lose the opportunity to cancel your contract and still get your money back.

2. "The company that offers the lowest price is the company that you should hire" This is not necessarily true. If a company is offering a cheap price, it generally means that the company is new and doesn't really know what their price is, and probably won't be in business for long. If there are only one or two items that concern you about a home, it is possible to have a specialist look at those issues for less than the cost of an inspection.

3. "If you are buying a brand new home, you don't need an inspection" Many people have the misconception that if they're buying a new home, that they do not need a home inspection. Just because a home is new, does not mean that everything will work perfectly or was put together properly. The safest thing to do is to let a knowledgeable professional look things over for you.

Hiring a home inspector may seem like an extra expense, but by having your home inspected, many headaches can be prevented in the future!

Are you curious about how much you will pay for your home inspection? In this article we are going to talk about this issue in more depth.

There are many things that can change the cost of a home inspection. First, there are many services out there and they do not all charge the same price. Call ahead of time and find out what the bottom line will be so you won't be surprised on the spot. Be careful to hire the best service around, even if the cost is a little higher. This is an important part of the home buying process and this is not the are to skimp on. You want a service that will give you a thorough inspection, and also at a fair price.

The size of the home is a big factor in determining how much the inspection will cost. If your house is large, it is going to call for a longer inspection. Of course a small condo or apartment will take less time. An inspection can take anywhere from two hours to six hours, or sometimes even longer if problems are found. Remember, the longer your inspector is at your new home, the better.

Another factor in determining the cost of the inspection is whether you use a large home inspection company or a one man show. Again, the only way to know is to ask upfront and get a quote. Choosing a good inspector that you will be happy with is very important. Ask your friends and family for referrals. It is best to find someone this way, as opposed to finding any name in the phone book. You might be happy at the time if your inspector comes in for a few minutes and then tells you that everything looks good. You might not be happy down the road when you find problems with the house.

Most home inspections cost anywhere from 175 - 300 dollars. The cost will also be higher if you are in a big city and less if you are in the middle of the country. It might seem like a lot at first glace, but is is probably one of the best investments you will ever make.

You have heard the horror stories. A friend buys a home that is now literally crumbling around her. Somebody took shortcuts, and her home was not inspected before she bought it. Now she is stuck and can not do anything about it. A home inspection before the sale would have made the deal honest and prevented headaches and heartache later for this friend and concerned family members.

These days it is tempting to cut corners, usually with the idea of saving money. However, a home inspection is a worthwhile investment. If you are planning to sell a home, an inspection can identify problems in the making and suggest preventive measures that might help avoid costly future repairs. A home inspection gives you the opportunity to make any necessary repairs now that will put the house in better selling condition. In the real estate market today, having your home pre-inspected can be a great selling point.

Plus, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you are doing the right thing for the people who will be buying the home. It means a lot for them to know they can count on their new home to be a place they are proud to live in with few hassles. It also protects you from possible problems.

Keep in mind that the home you are selling must signal to prospective buyers that there is nothing to fear by checking out this home. They need assurance the home is in good condition, or even better than that. If your home is listed online, make sure there is a link to click so the buyer can view the inspection for himself.

Put yourself in the shoes of a real estate agent for a minute. You are looking for a suitable home for a client. What would you look for? Would you want to see a home that stands out from the hundreds of others out there? Would you want that buyer to know they can investigate and buy that home with confidence? A home inspection helps give that assurance. It will be easier to sell the home to your client if one of the most difficult steps is already out of the way. Barring unforeseen problems, such as with financing, your job of finding a home for your client is that much easier.

As the home seller, you need to take control of the situation proactively. When a buyer comes along with a home inspector, they may be looking to cut costs. If they are not happy with the condition of the house, they may ask for repairs at an inflated price or terminate the contract altogether. The bottom line - they decide not to buy the house. You may not get a second chance with that buyer. You are left with the house still on the market and with the task of making things right before you can sell to the next prospective buyer. That person will not want any surprise defects to contend with either.

It can be disappointing for you if an inspection finds serious problems. However, dealing with things right away means less chance of alarm or regret on the part of the buyer as well as less chance of a deal going sour. You will make the home even easier to sell by having it inspected again after repairs have been done. Then make the revised report available with the listing. This should make the deal go smoothly.

Here is another helpful tip to seal a deal. Have the inspector print out several copies of the inspection report for you so prospective buyers can take one when they tour the home. Allowing buyers to take a copy of the report keeps your home in their minds that much longer. Your inspector shouldn't mind printing copies of his report because his name and report is being carried around for the other buyers who did not purchase your home but may call him for their own inspections.

To summarize, many sellers are having a home inspection done at the time of their listing in order to repair or determine the condition of their home. If you do this, you can use the inspection as a sales tool. A seller's inspection will virtually eliminate all the hassles and blown deals that inspections might cause when the buyer brings in their inspector. It gives leverage back to you, the seller. Most importantly, a seller's home inspection is the ultimate gesture of full disclosure and will help protect you.

Have you ever wondered if doing a Home Inspection was a good idea? Or are you afraid that it is just a waste of money and time? How do you know when you need a Home Inspection?

All good questions, glad you asked.

Here's what I have found to be fairly accurate. If you are buying a house, an investment property, a place that seems like it needs a lot of work but you really aren't sure what it is going to need better-safe-than-sorry. I recommend a Home Inspector. That old saying comes to mind, "buyer be ware".

You don't need to be afraid, but you do need to be educated especially in this crazy market. Know what you are getting into!

Here's what I look for in a home inspector and you should too:

Call them, have a friendly chat, ask some questions.

Call several! How did they respond to you?

Were they nice, were they professional, did they call you back in a timely manner?

1. How long have they been in business?

2. Do they have a website, any brochures?

3. Are they licensed in the state you are purchasing property in?

4. Is that license current? When does it expire?

5. Do they go on the roof, do they take pictures?

6. Do they guarantee their work? For how long?

7. How much are they going to charge you?

8. What forms of payment do they take?

9. Explain exactly what you will do on a home-inspection.

If they take forever to call you back-ask yourself is this someone I can trust to show up on time? Were they rude to you? Do you really want to work with a rude jerk? Not me!

I like to work with someone who has some personality, who has been in some type of construction industry, someone who knows how to do home projects, some-one who understands how important I am and how important my clients are and how important their accuracy is!

Don't forget, as Your Realtor, I may need their report to negotiate a better price for you! And I need that report to be reputable!

If you are going to buy a short-sale property I recommend a Home Inspection be done right away. It will cost you to have it done, but I suggest that you do it before bank approval. Do you really want to wait 3-9month's to find out that there is something wrong and now you don't want the property? Besides, most agents will ask that you do all your inspections prior to bank approval... remember it's hurry up and wait on a short-sale! But at least you are doing your part to get it to closing faster and it is one more thing off the checklist!

Now if the darn banks would act as fast as we do the housing market would become really, really stable as would the economy!! Oh, well dare to dream! I can not control the banks or how they control their short-sale process. I can, however, help you control your situation about a Home Inspection! So, here are some other thoughts that I would like to share with you:

· If it is new construction, with a good builder who doesn't appear to be going out of business for a long time, you may not need a home inspection, everything is new and usually guaranteed from the builder's home warranty.

· For all other types of properties, I suggest a Home Inspection as being a good idea. Even if you are handy, the value of a Home Inspection is priceless - if I have to prove something to the owner/bank/seller/investor/who-ever owns the property, they will NOT take your word for it they will have to take the word of the Home Inspection Service.

· If there is something wrong, much easier to get help with a Home Inspection report! I have the proof from a licensed professional.

So, good luck I hope this has helped a bit!

I am a licensed broker, who can help with all your Real Estate Needs, whether it's here in Illinois I'm your gal. If it's over there some-where, I will refer you to one of my colleges. We are after all world-wide. http://www.realtyexecutives.com/chrishowe

God Bless Always,

Christine Howe

In discussions with novice and experienced inspectors, 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 a difference between a 100 year old house and a newer home. Older houses perform differently, and were built to different standards. Older homes age differently based on era of construction.

A perfect example of this is a basement that was originally built of stone, then packed with mortar and parged to make a more water-resistant area. Although it still leaks, this is an average 100 year old basement, which would not be considered acceptable in a 20 year old home. Or consider that an older septic bed or weeping tile system is more susceptible to problems than a newer one.

Even though there are norms for aging in homes that make pretty good general guidelines, each house has its own unique personality that you need to understand and respect.

2. Keep your emotions in check.

You want to avoid feeling roller coaster highs and lows when major expense items are identified by the inspector. Keeping your emotions in check allows you to absorb more information and to keep from getting overwhelmed by "all the little things".

As a purchaser, you must remember that your feelings on the building are not relevant to the inspector's actual report. The inspector is required to report on every defect that he finds, but the inspector should also put things into context for you.

Of course, a good inspector will not over-express his personal feelings and opinions about a house, and what should be done with the house. The inspector should not lose sight of what the homebuyer may be thinking or feeling in order to help his client make an informed assessment. This allows the inspector to explain the things that need extra clarification.

3. There is no such thing as a defect-free home.

A brand new structure will have some items in need of correction, and the most immaculately kept home will also have some issues that could 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 of the little things that need to be done, and he also has the overall goal of helping you identify major expense items. While it may seem like the inspector is picking on your purchase decision, he is really just trying to pack as much information as he can into the limited time frame that he has to spend with you. Remember that it is important to keep things in context.

Inspectors want to give their clients a lot of useful and relevant information on the property, but sometimes, even when 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 a window screen here, and a door knob over there, but after a long descriptive analysis of several details, you may arrive at the conclusion that "My God! There are a lot of things wrong with this house!"

A good inspector will not waste everyone's time and emotional capacity discussing every doorknob and screen in the house. You should be told verbally, and in writing, that there are "one or more" or "some" or "several" minor repairs or improvements required on doorknobs or window screens, or whatever.

4. You need to understand the most important items now.

It is a good idea to differentiate between what you what is critical to know now, and what you can clarify after you move in.

For example, in the inspector's efforts to ensure that you successfully accomplish a maintenance activity on your new home, he may tell you how easy it is and possibly explain how to do it. Keep in mind that he is telling you 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 method of examining and reporting on items, so he will lead you through the house and how you things in a particular order. This consistency of approach is the method that he uses to cover all of the countless items that he must examine.

If 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 may forget to explain something of note.

This is not meant to dissuade you from asking pertinent questions to help clarify things in your mind. If you are wondering "What the heck is he talking about now?" then you need to ask the inspector to explain. While you can telephone your inspector at any time, you have the perfect opportunity to share his time now.

For example, if he is discussing basement dampness and you ask about the electrical system, he should redirect your attention to the topic at hand, and then discuss the electrical when the time comes.

6. Pay attention.

This sounds obvious, but every inspector has encountered a time when they have given their clients a big explanation about why something should be done, or not done, only to find out later that they completely missed (or misinterpreted) a key point. If a homebuyer isn't listening, the message simply does not get through.

The inspection is an important time, designed to inform you and save you money in the short and long term. If you are distracted by anything (children, relatives, friends, etc), you may not get some important information. Do not consider the inspection a good opportunity to show the home to important people in your life.

If there are too many people saying too many things all at once, don't be shy to politely ask for some space to consult with your inspector. The inspector may also redirect your attention to the business at hand.

7. The inspector is a generalist, not a specialist.

The inspector knows how to diagnose problems, but the smart inspector does not offer solutions if he is not completely conversant in the matter at hand. He should guide you to consult a specialist if the matter involves a more thorough analysis.

However, all inspectors have a specialty. If he is a licensed electrician, then you will get more information on electrical issues than if he is an engineer.

8. The inspection is the only thing the inspector knows about.

Most 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 talking about it. If you ask where 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 would be better off discussing with your agent or lawyer.

Think about the big picture, keeping in mind that buying a house is a big project, and the inspector is only paid to be involved 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. There is 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 you to follow up on issues with another specialist, be it for termites, wood stoves, insurance or other issues, it is incumbent upon you to do so. This is not a case of the inspector passing the buck, but a case of making you aware of issues that require further investigation.

There are also going to be areas that are disclaimed due to restricted access. Focus on these as soon as you can so that you can find out if anything was hidden from view.

If you are told to do some maintenance and fail to do so, there may be negative consequences. As an example, failing to caulk the bathtub or re-grout the tiles could result in a simple case of rot, or plaster could fall with damage to furnishings or personal injuries. The inspector may not warn you of all possible consequences, because he expects that you will do your due diligence with respect to repairs or maintenance.

References:

OAHI's KRMG Educational Series, Part 5

Every one dreams of living in a comfortable place. A house which is beautifully planned and constructed is what you would wish for. But, you might be wondering how you will know these things. If you are still in doubt of purchasing a home then you better have a thorough home inspection of the whole structure so that you can come up with your final decision. Thorough home inspection tips include hiring a good home inspector. The report of this person about the house can have a great impact on your purchase.

The first thing that you must do in looking for the perfect home inspector to do the job is to ask recommendations from friends and family members. You can ask whether they have hired someone before and who they can recommend to help you out with what you need. They will be able to provide you with honest replies. Not only that, you can also have a good idea on the names or agencies of the inspectors to avoid.

Once you have learned from them, you can also search and ask for the best home inspectors from your locality. There may be many of them but you will be able to narrow your list when you ask from them any references. These references will give you a light of how the home inspector performed and whether the home inspection services were done thoroughly. You can also check whether they are really certified to do the task.

To double check whether the home inspector is really good with the job and has a lot of experience with it, you can search through the American Society of Home Inspectors. This is a credible and reliable organization of inspectors and with the name of the person on the list of members; you will be assured that the person is reliable in his field of work also.

You can also look over the educational background and experience of the home inspector. You must check whether the inspector was able to get proper training in his field and of course certification to do home inspection. Having a degree of architecture, engineering and an experience of being a contractor would be a great plus because it would tell you that he knows what he is doing.

Moreover, you can ask for the home inspection checklist that the inspector will be using. Look over the details and what the areas are that the inspector will check on the house. When the checklist is specifically detailed, you will also have a report on specific problems of the house. This means that the inspector will be doing a thorough search.

Lastly, ask the home inspector whether he will allow you to check on what he is doing or if it is included in his services to show you around the house and point to you the problems noticed. This will give you an idea of what you need to replace once you have bought the house or help in your decision whether it is worth buying.

A good home inspector is the one who performs a thorough inspection and will give you a thorough report. Once you have chosen the person to do the inspection, you will just wait for the results that will help answer your question whether you have to buy the house or not.

I asked a friend recently what he thought of having home inspections done on residential investment property. "They suck," he said rather vehemently. When I asked him why he had such an emotional reaction, he shrugged his shoulders and mumbled something about inspections being a big waste of time and money because they "never find anything wrong anyway." I suspect my friend either isn't buying enough houses, or he hired the wrong inspector.

My Home Inspector finds things wrong with every house he inspects, and that's just the way I want it. Costing between $200 and $450 each, I think home inspections are one of the single best bargains for a real estate investor. In fact, usually the inspection pays for itself, and I'll tell you why in just a minute. First, let me just say that if my inspector ever tells me a house has no problems, I will send him back to do the job right. Here's why.

What Should Be Inspected

All my offers on houses (except bank foreclosures- I'll explain that in a minute, too) are subject to an inspection by a professional Home Inspector. I'll say it again. ALL my offers. Why? Two reasons.

First, even though I'm a pretty handy guy and I've bought and sold a lot of houses, I'm no expert in structures or engineering- not even close. My Home Inspector is. There are a lot of things that could be wrong with any home I purchase, no matter how good it looks or how new it is. Nasty things like cracks where there should be no cracks, leaks or water damage in spots that should be dry, heating systems that throw only cold air, and... well, you get the idea. My inspector, expert that he is, knows how to find these things, and his job is to tell me about them.

Second, because I make so many offers, I just don't have time to inspect a home like I should. Putting a home inspection clause in my offers is like my safety valve. I don't have to worry because my inspector will do what I don't have time to do. As we already discussed, he's much better qualified anyway.

O.K., I promised I would tell you the reason I don't put this clause in my offers on bank foreclosures. Here's why- it would weaken my offer to the bank. Banks give preference to true, non-contingent offers and I want them to know that I'm prepared to close no matter what. Will I have an inspection done on these foreclosure homes? You better believe I will- but I won't make my offer subject to the inspection. The results of the inspection will be for my own information and edification only.

I have all my residential investments inspected, and I recommend you do the same.

Another Tool In Your Bag

There is one more very important reason to have a home inspection done. When you sign a purchase offer, and it is accepted by the seller, the negotiation process is not over- not by a long shot. In the seller's mind it might be over, but in my mind it's really just beginning.

When your inspector finds something wrong- trust me, he will- you have another tool in your bag of negotiating tactics. Now is the time to go back to the seller, explain the findings of the inspector, and ask for one of two things- either repairs of the problem areas, or credit off the selling price. Either one is good, but personally I like the money better. Here's an example.

Recently, I had a home inspection done on a 1724 square foot ranch in a nice section of town. The home inspection actually turned up very little, but a couple of things my inspector did catch were a faulty damper in the chimney flue and a bad GFI circuit interrupter in one of the bathrooms. Not necessarily major repairs, but I am going to incur some cost to repair them. They also represent a powerful negotiating tool. What did I do?

I phoned my Realtor and explained the inspector's findings. Then, I instructed my Realtor to ask for $750 credit off the price of the home to cover the repairs. Will I get it? Not bloody likely, but I will get something, and that's the whole point. Whatever I am able to negotiate, (in this case it wound up being $350) it's more than I would have gotten if I had decided to forego the inspection. Also, I wouldn't have found out about the needed repairs until much later- maybe not until I sold the house and my buyer's home inspection turned them up. Not good.

But, since I did know, I was able to renegotiate for $350, which was $130 more than the inspection cost me. I told you most of them pay for themselves! Very good.

Who To Hire

I have written another article, Building Your Team, about how to find and hire competent professionals to help you in your Real Estate business. I'll share a few additional comments here on that.

First, look for someone with the right credentials. Members of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) are certified to conduct home inspections, and licensed engineers are licensed by your state. Either or both of those qualifications are very desirable.

Second, look for experience. If they just hung their shingle last week, they are probably not experienced enough to handle the job. My guy has been inspecting homes for 23 years, and was a contractor before that. In fact many highly qualified inspectors are semi-retired contractors.

Finally, ask other investors and Realtors for referrals. They will know who the trustworthy inspectors are in your town. Once you find someone you trust and enjoy working with, stick with them. The hassle of switching is not worth saving a few bucks, which is all we're really taking about anyway.

Consider well what I've said in this article. I think you'll agree that getting a home inspection is one of the best things you can spend your money on when investing in residential property.

Now, go make more offers!

Oh My Gosh...pipes are leaking, roofing shingles are damaged, the furnace isn't working properly, there are electrical issues, the deck needs attention....gheesh...What do I do now? Is this house, the house that I've fallen deeply in love with, falling apart?

Well...maybe so and maybe no. There is no perfectly constructed or perfectly maintained house...at least, I've never inspected such a thing nor do I expect that I ever will. Nevertheless, be assured that there are homes out there that are just plainly in very poor condition. Chances are, though, that the issues identified in a Home Inspection report are typical issues for a home of any given or particular age. While this isn't always the case, the issues are very likely able to be repaired. Most anything can be repaired. Even more serious items e.g. structural issues, water intrusion and resultant damage, heating and air conditioning systems that need to be replaced etc., are able to be repaired. Once issues have been identified, irrespective of their severity, it then becomes a matter of whether or not they are going to be repaired, how and by whom they might be repaired, how much those repairs are going to cost, and what party is going to be financially responsible for those repairs.

First...and in my opinion...the details of what a Home Inspection is, and of how a Home Inspection report is typically used in a real estate transaction, should have been fully explained to the buyer by their real estate agent prior to the Inspection period. Then, at the beginning of the Home Inspection, the Home Inspector should explain to the client what they can expect from the Home Inspector, and from the Home Inspection report. The Home Inspection report, and again in my ever so humble opinion, shouldn't be considered as an all-inclusive list to be used to beat the selling party severely about the head and shoulders. There will likely be...will almost certainly be...items in the report that, while required to be reported by the standards governing the Home Inspection, may not fall within the scope of the Real Estate Offer To Purchase Contact as items that are able to be asked to be repaired by the seller. That determination, or interpretation, is best left to a real estate agent or to an attorney. The issues identified in the report, in their totality, is information...information provided as part of the basis upon which to make an informed purchase decision. That's why you had an inspection in the first place, right? You paid for a professional evaluation of the home to make a more informed purchase decision.

Second...take a half-step backward, take a deep breath or two, and re-read the report. I promise that the world hasn't come to an end as the result of the report. If there are numerous individual items to consider, then try to itemize those issues in the order of their importance to YOU. The report may categorize the issues to some degree but the Home Inspector cannot decide what importance YOU should place on any given item. Neither should the Inspector be advising you as to whether or not you should purchase the home; such advice or guidance is simply outside the scope of a Home Inspection. There are two questions that I, personally, have never answered. The first is "Would you buy this home?" and the second is "How would you rate this home on a scale of 1--10?" There is too much that a Home Inspector just simply doesn't know to be able to answer such questions. Sure, they know a great deal about the physical condition of the home by the time the inspection is complete, but that's only part of the equation. They don't know how much the home is worth, they don't know the clients financial condition, and they don't know what the financial arrangements might be. I suggest, too, that they shouldn't want to know.

Third...set about gathering yet more information. Information...accurate information...and the resulting knowledge gained are your most dear of friends. You need to associate a dollar value with the needed repairs. Are the repairs going to require a structural assessment by a licensed Professional Engineer? Are the needed repairs such that they will require implementation by a licensed General Contractor? Can any of the items be corrected by a handyman who specializes in general repairs? Seek out and obtain estimates from the contractors that will be performing the repairs. Use all of the resources available to you to attain information and make good decisions. Your experienced, professional real estate agent, assuming you've retained that service, is in an excellent position to assist you in this endeavor. The typical professional real estate agent has, at their disposal, a vast wealth of knowledge and resources about how to go about dealing with the contents and issues of a Home Inspection report. That's part of what they do in representing their clients during a real estate transaction.

Your success in your real estate transaction is at least partly dependent upon gathering appropriate information, processing that information, and making informed decisions based upon that information. Doing so in a calm, direct and straight-forward manner...with as little involved emotion as possible...will likely be contributory to a positive outcome.

Home inspections provide detailed information about the overall condition of the house one is planning to buy. A standard home inspection provides a visual examination of the physical structure and major interior systems of a residential building. An important point to be noted is that a home inspection is not to be confused with an appraisal or a building code inspection. In a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth, unbiased look at the home to evaluate the physical condition of the house and its systems. He identifies the items that need to be repaired or replaced and also estimates the useful life of the major systems, equipment, and structure of the house.

Home inspections are not intended to point out every small problem or any latent defect in a home. Most minor or cosmetic flaws should be apparent to the owner or buyer without the aid of a professional. Yet, it is advisable to get the assistance of home inspectors who present a clearly written or typed home inspection report, which conforms to the accepted standards of practice for the state. Home inspections help people in maintaining the safety of their homes and a property inspection makes home maintenance easy by spotting small problems before they become large. A detailed report about the condition of a home can be made available in a matter of hours so that repairs or upgrades can be planned.

When purchasing a home, many homebuyers have saved a lot of money by first obtaining a home inspection report. Interestingly homeowners who have owned their homes for several years have also benefited from a home inspector's knowledge and experience of maintenance and repairs to avert potential problems. With good home inspections, both owners and buyers are informed of the condition of the home. Home inspections truly help make one's home a more wonderful place to live in.

There are many reasons why property owners in Southern Alberta require inspection in your home in Calgary. They may be selling /buying a home, or they may be applying for a mortgage refinance. In some cases, home owners request an assessment simply because they want to know the current value of their property, or want to determine what is wrong with their house. Once they know their problem areas, they can start to schedule repairs.

When you want to schedule an inspection in your home, you want to make sure that your inspector is qualified for the job. Therefore, ask as many questions as you deem necessary to determine if the assessor you are calling is the right person for the job. The following questionnaire will give is an ample example of the questions you can ask.

• How long have you been performing inspections? Everyone needs a chance to prove themselves, but the longer the inspector has been in business, the more thorough your inspection will be.

• What items will you be checking? An experienced inspector will review over 400 items including structural components, the foundation, the roof and chimney, plumbing, heating an electrical components, windows, ventilation, etc. Request a list if you are interested in details.

• How much are you charging? There is a price difference between the different companies providing Calgary home inspections. Make sure that you know exactly what kind of inspection you will receive for your money. Cheaper is not necessarily better.

• What information can I find on your website? A Calgary home inspection company that cares about its customers will provide a myriad of information on its website. They will publish a guide to home inspections, a glossary of home inspection terms so you will understand the inspection report, a moving checklist in case you need the inspection because you are selling your home, etc.

The more questions you ask, the better prepared you will be, and the sooner you will find the right home inspector for the job.

Home inspections have become a common occurrence in the home buying process. Another use for an inspection that is taking off is using a home inspection before a person puts a home up for sale. This inspection is often called a pre listing inspection.

In a typical home purchase agreement, the buyer has 7-10 days to perform property inspections. Frequently during these inspections they discover conditions during this period and ask the seller to either repair or replace some things, or to give them a substantial credit before they agree to remove contingencies. Sometimes if the number of issues are numerous or the issues considered major by the buyer the purchase can be cancelled. A pre listing inspection helps sellers avoid these problems.

Even in properties that have been well taken care of or even newer homes, there may be several conditions that are unknown to the home seller. Having the home inspected before placing the home on the market is an excellent way to discover these issues. Knowing about issues before the home is being sold gives the seller benefits. Typically a home that has been pre inspected sells quicker.

Having a house pre inspected also gives the seller the opportunity to makes repairs or improvements themselves or at cost that is likely less than what the potential buyer may ask off of the asking price for the home.

When considering selling your home be sure to consider hiring a home inspector that does pre listing inspections. Also ask the home inspector if he or she can provide a yard sign that states that the home has been pre inspected. This sign helps to make your home stand out from all the other homes in your neighborhood that are also for sale.

There are several benefits of home inspection for sellers and the biggest advantage has to be the added assurance that you understand what problems your home may have beforehand allowing you to negotiate a price with all of your cards visible. You will not have the buyer paying for their own inspection and then deciding that they need to renegotiate the sales agreement based on the findings from this inspection. It only makes sense to be aware of any problems or issues that may lower your sale price which allows you to face these issues before the sale.

If it makes sense you may want to repair some of the problems that your inspection may have found. This should only be done if the added value during the sale will be greater than what you have to pay to have the repairs done. This is an excellent way to keep your buyers interested as well. They will be thankful that you have taken the time to disclose information that may affect their decision to buy your home and made every attempt to remain honest and prevent surprises during the sale. You will find that making everybody aware of the condition of the home before the sale eases tensions and builds trust during the sale process.

If you were buying the home you would appreciate the fact that the previous owners took the time to find and report any problems that their home may have. There are no perfect homes but one of the biggest benefits of home inspections for sellers lies in the fact that buyers appreciate knowing what they are looking at purchasing before they have to commit. You may not find it cost-effective to repair the problems you find but the buyers would like assurance that you have considered these issues when you have set the selling price.

The home buyer may still decide to have their own inspection done as well. This may work in your favor as two inspections that show the same basic results should increase the buyer's confidence that they are being offered a fair price for the home. This will also help prevent any problems from developing after the sales papers have been signed. This is one of the biggest headaches for home sellers and dealing with issues that may stem from home inspections that take place after the sale may cause the sale to collapse.

Choosing to have an inspection done before the sale will help minimize the chances of this happening.

Most home inspection companies perform the same exact inspection regardless of whether or not the seller or buyer pays for them. This can help both parties rest easier and once again may offer some confidence to the buyer. You will always benefit from being upfront when making a big sale and honesty goes a long way towards building trust between the parties. You will find this added confidence to be one of the biggest benefits for home inspections for sellers and buyers alike

In this day and age, most people realize the importance of getting a home inspection done prior to buying a property. By doing this, the prospective buyer has the peace of mind knowing exactly what kind of situation they are walking in to. This also allows them to make educated, not emotional, decisions when the choice of whether to buy or not buy needs to be made. You have already made up your mind to have the home inspection done but what now? Here are some helpful tips that will aid you along through the home inspection process.

First, you need to choose the right inspector for the job. This could, by far, be the most important thing you do. In order to get accurate and truthful information on your home inspection, it needs to come from a reliable source. When looking for an inspector to evaluate your property, you will want to choose one who is a trained professional and one that has a lot experience. It is important for them to be familiar to the regulations and guidelines that are native to your area. Beware of hiring an inspector that is not from your state or geographical area. Along with making sure they are licensed and insured, you will want to ask for references and then actually take the next step to check those references. It is vital to make sure you do your homework before you decide which home inspector to hire.

It is also suggested that you are present at the time of the home inspection. This will allow you to tag along with the inspector and really get to see your property through their eyes. Being a trained professional, they are taught to see past all the cosmetic features of your home and really see what lies beneath the surface and give you an unbiased point of view. Also, by being on site during the inspection, you are offered the opportunity to ask any questions that you might have about the process and even discuss the findings as they occur. By shadowing the inspector, you get to see your home in a whole new light.

After each inspection, the client will receive a comprehensive report that details, both good and bad, and outlines all the findings of the home inspection. These report should be in written form-do not accept a verbal report. Most reports include diagrams or even photographs of the areas of concern to thoroughly explain the situation. Be sure to have the inspector review the report with you so that they can address any questions you may have about their findings.

While the thought of a home inspection can be a little daunting, knowing what to expect can help ease you through the process. Remember, if you come across something that you aren't sure about or it simply doesn't make sense, just ask! The right home inspector will not have any problems answering your questions and putting your mind at ease.

If you are going to purchase a home, you have probably heard of home inspection. In several cases, this is a requirement for those who are applying for a mortgage loan. A home inspection is a process of checking the subject property of the transaction. The inspection is conducted by a trained inspector. He checks the different areas and features of the property using the different equipment especially developed for that purpose.

The inspection will report in detail the current condition of the property. This means that it will not make any claims for how the property will be in the future. It will not also indicate how long the property is going to last.

There are different areas that the inspector will check. Some of them are the roof, the heating system, the plumbing, electrical system, water heater system and the air-conditioning system. The inspector will also look at the overall structure of the property. Although this is the case, it is possible that the inspector will not discover other defects of the property. In fact, there are certain aspects of the property that will not be included in the checking of the property. Some of these are the right of way or easements; another is the zoning violations as well as the property measurements and boundaries. These are usually dealt with by the title company.

It is very important to have the property inspected before you purchase it. Just like checking any merchandise when you buy it. Although there are properties that have to be purchased as is, most properties sold in the market should undergo inspection. This is to let the buyers know what they are getting into. Purchasing a home is an important investment. It is only right that homebuyers are certain of the home they are purchasing.

There are several benefits of having the property inspected before purchasing it. Aside from knowing the condition of the property you are planning to buy, you will also know if the property is properly valued. If the property has a lot of defects, then you can negotiate for a lower value. This will give you a chance to pay for a lesser price. If the seller will not agree to a lower price, you can ask him to have the defects repaired. If you cannot reach a compromise, then you still have the option to cancel the transaction.

The home inspection benefits the seller as well. Before he sells the property, he can hire an inspector to check the house. There are certain repairs that will improve the value of the property. This includes the bathroom and the kitchen. If he knows about this, he will be able to prioritize the type of repair he is going to make. This will also give him an idea of how much the price range of the property should be.

Home inspection is very important. This allows the seller to check the repairs he needs to make before he sells the property. The buyer will benefit from it as well. This will give him an idea of the real state of the property. This will also allow him to negotiate for the value better.

Every time someone buys or sells their home, a home inspection is required. If you plan to start your own franchise of home inspection, you need to do good research. In today's world, home inspection is the most important thing while selling or buying. A prior inspection can even help buyers or sellers negotiate better priced deals for their homes. As a professional home inspector, you can play a very important role in property dealing. You can help buyers avoid buying something which is not up to the standard, or you can also help sellers to hide the issues in their homes so that someone else can buy their house.

If you are sick of your nine to five job and you are planning to start your own home business, you can always buy a franchise of home inspection. The inspection business always stays stable always, so any time is a good time to opt for it. You will never regret the decision of starting this business. In fact, it is going to be a very wise decision, but in order for you to be good at this business, you need to understand how things work.

You will have to invest some amount initially but once you get good with the business, you will only earn profits without having to spend too much. You have an added advantage with your business if you have already worked with such a company. You would definitely have an idea of how things are dealt with. If you want things to work out, make sure that you have a plan prepared. Decide your start up budget so that you can utilize the amount sensibly. Initially, you will also have to buy a few equipments such as truck, ladder and other things required for inspection.

There are a lot of benefits of having your own franchise of home inspection. It has the tremendous business potential in itself. You do not have to carry any burden such as the building, inventory or real estate investment. You do not need to have experience in the construction industry as you can hire professions too. Since you will be new in this profession, you need to learn the rules of the business.

You need to learn important things first, if you actually want to go for this business. The first thing that you need to do is to educate yourself about how things work in this business. The best thing that you can do is to have meetings with the people who are already working in this market. They can guide you properly as to how you can run your business.

You will obviously have to work hard. Buying a home inspection franchise would not automatically bring in clients; so, in order to get a clientele, you need to work hard. You should only take the risk of investing in the business if you are ready for the consequences. This business is not way too risky but a little bit of risk is involved everywhere. So, you need to do your homework before you finally go for it.

Simply following the steps provided in this article will help you survive having a Home Inspection. Your Home Inspection is just one more stressful event to add to a likely growing list of events unfolding in the process of selling your home. What with moving, getting the list of needed repairs done, achieving and maintaining that "curb appeal", the last thing you need is some stranger tromping through your home, looking in all those dark corners. Well, take a deep breath, pick up that last dust bunny under the chair, sit down a moment and read further. I provide real solutions to at least make the Home Inspection part easier.

1. Please have a clean home. Inspectors are accustomed to dealing with "OPD" (Other Peoples Dirt), however it is always preferable to have a clean home to work in. Don't worry about a little mess or disorganized clutter. Packing boxes and a little dirt are OK. We do not inspect for cleanliness, however we are human and do not particularly enjoy spending several hours (sometimes on hands and knees in bathrooms) inspecting a foul nest. Even though you are likely tired of keeping things spotless for open houses and potential buyers coming through, please don't drop the ball on cleaning completely. If I encounter an extremely dirty home, I may be holding my breath until I can make an exit; however I am also looking harder for defects and deferred maintenance in such homes, and often find them.
2. Windows and doors should all be operable and accessible. It is a great help to have all the windows and doors accessible so I can easily check the condition of the windows and doors and also the operation of them. If you have casement windows and have removed the cranks, please have them available at windows. Open all blinds and curtains for easier access, and if possible move furniture to allow for access. Any breakable or valuable items on window sills should be removed (Inspector will not move them or move furniture).
3. Turn on all lights and ceiling fans. You may wish to turn all the lights and ceiling fans on in the home just before the Inspector arrives. It also helps if you know what all the electrical switches in the home do. The Inspector can spend untold time trying to determine what each switch operates. If the Inspector wishes to turn on all the lights and fans in your home, please do not follow behind him turning them off (yes I have had numerous homeowners do this). He has likely done this for the same reason that I do this. Having all the lights on is part of the test of the electrical system to ensure it is checked under a reasonable load. The Inspector will turn off the lights and fans when he is done.
4. Make certain all lights and fans are functional. Have any remote controls for ceiling fans available. If there are inoperable lights and they just need a bulb replaced, the Inspector will not know this and does not carry bulbs with him. Inoperable lights will be written up as a defect (why pay an electrician to check them?).
5. Have all appliances ready for the Inspector to operate. Some Inspectors will check appliances, and some do not. Let the Inspector start the appliances such as the dishwasher and washing machine. Do not have clothes in the washing machine or clothes dryer (they will need to be removed by the Inspector).
6. Remove your pets. Please be prepared to have your animals gone during the inspection. I like dogs, cats, lizards and most critters, but during an inspection they can be in the way or a nuisance (try doing an inspection with a dog barking every time you move). The Inspector also does not want to be responsible for having animals escape from the home and then retrieve them. The opposite side of this coin is a funny short story: I was inspecting a Villa that was situated next to a lagoon. I was outside and came in, leaving the sliding door open for just a moment, and when I turned around, a mother duck and her ducklings were proudly waddling in to the Villa (I quickly scooted them outside again). Later I had a good laugh and realized just how much they quacked me up. Seriously, I will try not to let any strays in your home.
7. Inform the Inspector if you are to have visitors to the home. Inform the Inspector of any expected visitors (if you will not be there) so he can allow them in and not have to worry about whether they should be there or not. Also be prepared if the buyer (and other family members) should elect to attend the Inspection. Ask your Realtor or the buyer's Realtor to attend if this occurs (the Inspector should not be responsible for others).
8. Provide access to electrical panel. Please have access provided to your main electrical panel (fuse box or circuit breaker box). The Inspector has to remove the panel cover to check the interior components. It is not fun (or safe) to stand in a crowded area and work with electricity. A charred and smoking Inspector is not very fragrant either.
9. Be punctual. If you are meeting the Inspector at the home, please be on time. Most of us invest an enormous amount of time for the money earned, and appreciate punctuality. If I am going to be late I will call.
10. Please have all utilities on, including gas for fireplaces as necessary. Having pilot lights lit will help, since most Inspectors will not light pilot lights.
11. Provide access to attics. Please make certain access is clear and unencumbered to all attic accesses.
12. All doors should be accessible. Ensure all interior and exterior doors are accessible, and if there are any locked closets or utility type sheds, please provide keys as necessary.
13. Should I stay or should I go? This is a good question people often ask me. Usually I like to meet with the owners to ask a few questions. Once I have asked the various questions that help me do my job better, feel free to leave or stay. Most often it makes no difference to me. If you are comfortable with leaving someone in your home, (assuming you will be there) plan on an inspection lasting from 3 to 5 hours on average. Ask your Home Inspector how long it will take. Most Home Inspectors, (including myself) are licensed and bonded.
14. Alert the Inspector to any safety concerns. If you know of any safety concerns in your home, please let the Inspector know. Items such as attic pull down stairs that have a tendency to fall on your head (yes this has happened-Ouch!) or perhaps shocking electrical fixtures or receptacles.
15. Do not ask what defects the Inspector has found. Most Inspectors will politely tell you that the home purchaser (who is paying for the report) is the only person he can share that information with. However the Inspector should inform you of any known safety concerns that may impact you. Keep in mind that if the Inspector gave you the list of defects and you set about to repair them all, you may have repaired some items needlessly. That defective refrigerator or oven may be something the buyer does not care about anyway. He may have plans to replace it. For that reason, you may wish to wait until you have the requested list of repairs from the buyer, before repairing items.
16. Have your own Inspection performed. Consider having your own inspection (Pre-listing Inspection) before you have a Home Inspection the buyer has arranged for. You get to choose the Home Inspector, and there are other benefits. A Pre-listing Inspection allows you to find out early what repairs might be needed, and to get the repairs done early. This usually is a cost savings, since you can take your time and shop for the best price for the repairs. Having the Pre-listing Inspection also eliminates a lot of anxiety and stress. It also allows for the home to be more realistically priced in some instances. For example, if you find out the home needs a new roof, but you do not want to invest in a new roof, it is likely you will want to adjust your price accordingly, or at least be prepared for a price reduction. On the plus side, if you get a fairly clean Home Inspection Report, you may wish to let your pricing reflect this (raise pricing perhaps). Most buyers will still have their own Inspector inspect your home. However it conveys a positive attitude to the buyer when you have your own Inspection. Presenting a list of the repaired items is also positive. Simply put, having a Pre-Listing Inspection can reduce anxiety, save money, and make for a smoother and quicker home sale.
17. Treat your Home Inspector as a guest in your home. I do my best to leave each home as I found it, and treat the home and occupants with respect. I know that I am a guest you may not welcome with open arms. I also know you do not need any additional stress. Offering coffee, a soda, or water is a nice gesture and helps to set a nice tone.

Simply performing some or all of the above steps will help you remove a lot of the stress associated with a Home Inspection. This article does not take into account fixing or repairing common defects, so you may also want to repair any known defects as you see fit. Best wishes with your Home Inspection. John M. Wickline, President,

JW Home Inspections, Inc
Copyright 2009

Owning or purchasing a house is a big commitment. You do not want to waste your time and well earned money on a mistake that could have been avoided with a simple inspection. Home inspection services are available so you don't have to worry about maybe making one of the biggest mistakes of your life. When it comes to houses there are many factors that can go wrong or have been done wrong. Fortunately most of them can be fixed or avoided. You don't want to end up in a home that requires more work and money than it's worth.

Today's inspection services offer a large number of services and inspections that can help you in your decision on the purchase of you new home. They can also help with avoiding a costly flaw in the home that isn't seen by the naked eye. Inspections such as plumbing system and components, structural systems, and roofing system and components will keep you from losing sleep or even your home. The list of inspections available goes on and on so that all areas are covered so you will be comfortable in the home you live in. Don't worry if you are in a condo or a town home the inspections are offered for most all types of homes.

You deserve to own a quality home and not a money pit. So before you take a step in the wrong direction have your home inspected by an expert. You do not want to be paying more than what you should.

So you've found a house you love, and your real estate agent recommends that you have the home inspected. She even provides you with a few names of home inspectors she knows and trusts. But you can't help but wonder, "Do I really need to have this done?" and "Will it really be worth the money?"

These are very common questions for homebuyers, especially first-time or relatively inexperienced homebuyers, who may not realize that they could potentially end up owning a "money pit". Imagine the disappointment and frustration you would feel if you closed the deal on your new home, then quickly realized it had a laundry list of problems no one had ever mentioned! Shouldn't the sellers have told you everything? Maybe, but that doesn't always happen, and now you're left with a bunch of unexpected expenses.

A professional home inspection is your safeguard against closing on a house that may not be as it appears on the surface. Although home inspectors conduct only visual inspections (they don't cut access holes in drywall or pull up carpet), they are usually so thorough that the potential homeowner gets an accurate description of the condition of the home. With this information they can make a well-informed home-buying decision.

Home inspection fees vary by geographical area, house size, house age and other factors, but a good starting estimate would be $300 to $400 for a medium sized home. Sounds like a lot of money, but let's see what you get. Most reputable home inspectors would spend 3+ hours on site doing the physical work of the inspection, and then another hour or two putting together a comprehensive inspection report. This report would describe systems and components present in the home. It would also specify areas of concern, which could include such things as heating and cooling systems not functioning as intended, hazardous conditions inside electrical breaker panels, and damaged or rotted floor framing seen in the crawl space. Items like these would most likely go unnoticed during a casual "walk through" of the property, which is the extent of inspection most buyers do before making a decision.

Because a professional home inspector is viewed as an unbiased third party, his opinions and notations carry a lot of weight in the home buying process. With a comprehensive inspection report in hand, homebuyers are well-equipped to renegotiate their purchase contracts, if they decide to do so. And as a result, they commonly get the home inspection fee back many times over at the closing table. Spending a few hundred dollars on a professional home inspection before a home purchase can save the buyer thousands in the end.