Home Inspections

The future of real estate?

* Home inspections have traditionally been for the benefit of the purchaser.

* Pre-inspected listings benefit all parties - purchasers, vendors and Realtors.

Deals are less likely to fall through.

Home inspections, performed as a condition of the offer, can kill deals - and often needlessly. Sometimes this is because the purchaser gets cold feet; sometimes there's a big problem no one knew about. Sometimes it is because the house has been misrepresented; sometimes it is because the home inspector scared the purchasers by not explaining that minor and typical problems are just that - minor and typical.

If the home inspection is performed prior to the house being listed, all parties will be aware of the physical condition of the house before an offer is drawn. There will be less likelihood for surprises after the fact. Deals will be less likely to fall through.

Pre-inspected listings can avoid renegotiation.

In a buyer's market, most houses have to be sold twice. It takes a lot of work to get a signed Agreement of Purchase and Sale... then the home inspection is conducted and the purchaser wants to renegotiate.

If all parties know the condition of the house prior to the offer, there is generally a lesser need for renegotiation. As most Realtors know, renegotiation can be very difficult. Vendors have already mentally sold the house; purchasers are suffering from 'buyers' remorse'. Egos, pride and frustration can muddy the already emotional waters.

A vendor who pays for a home inspection will be further ahead than one who has to renegotiate. He or she may even sell their house faster.

Unrealistic vendors.

An inspection at the time of a listing can also help a Realtor deal with a vendor who has unrealistic expectations. The inspection report is good ammunition for explaining why you can't ask top buck for a house that is not in top condition.

Repairs prior to sale.

Sometimes, the home inspection will reveal items which should be repaired immediately. A pre-inspected listing allows the vendor to repair the problem prior to putting the house on the market.

If the inspection occurs after the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, the purchaser could walk, renegotiate or depending on the inspection clause, the vendor may have the option to make repairs. A repair made by an unmotivated vendor to satisfy the condition may not be the best repair and may not meet the purchaser's expectations. This has caused more than one deal to not close.

Peace of mind for the purchaser.

There is no doubt that part of the value of a home inspection is a guided tour of the house for the prospective purchaser. Perhaps the inspection company could return to do a walk-through with the purchaser, if requested.

Reputable inspection companies.

Pre-inspected listings will only have value if the home inspector and/or company is perceived to be reputable, qualified and properly insured. Prospective purchasers might have little or no faith in a report created by someone they perceive to be working for the Vendor or Listing Agent.

Editor's Note: This article is for discussion purposes only and does not represent any policy or opinion on the part of Electrospec or it's representatives. It is intended only as "food for thought", and it is hoped that no one will be offended by the suggestive nature of any parts of the article.

Summary.

Does the future of home inspections lie in pre-inspected listings? Will offers be cleaner and deals less likely to be renegotiated or fall through? Will pre-inspection afford purchasers, vendors and Realtors a new measure of equilateral protection?

Hmmm...

There is a sales contract on your home and now you are working on getting ready for the home inspection. But how should you get ready for the inspection? Here are a few tips that may help.

The home inspection is a vital part of the real estate transaction process. The objective of the home inspection is to give the buyers detailed information about the condition of the structure and the systems of the house they are thinking about buying. The home inspection is a routine and anticipated piece of the transaction.

A. Make all areas of the house accessible so the home inspector can inspect them. Remove clutter, debris and storage that covers any part of the homes structure or systems. Remove all storage and clutter from the garage interior so the garage can be properly inspected. The two areas that are the most important and should be clutter free are the basement and the attic.

B. Removing storage can help to put the buyers at ease during the inspection process. If there is no storage then you are not likely to be covering something up. Having the home clutter free will also make the inspectors job easier and you may avoid having the inspector come out again to look at an area that he or she could not see. A home that is clutter free always inspects better and more smoothly then a house that is full of storage.

C. If the inspector does his job he or she is going to unearth some issues in the home, don't take it too heart. A good home inspector will always find issues if he or she is thorough. Don't take it personally, you are in good company all houses have some problems. Try to be at ease and relax, the home inspector is just doing the job for the client.

D. It would be a good idea for you to leave the house when it is being inspected. Its human nature to get defensive especially about your own home. Take the stress out of the process and go out somewhere. Let the realtors stay for the home inspection. Take yourself out of the situation. The realtors can call you when the inspection is over and give you a brief overview.

E. Make repairs before the inspection. This will take that particular issue off the list and may make negotiations easier. The fewer issues that come up the better you are going to be and the quicker you are going to finalize the transaction. Try to do this for all of the problems that you are aware off. The fewer overall concerns the more comfortable the buyers will be about the house. If there is a long list of concerns the buyer may feel overwhelmed and feel as though the home was not properly maintained.

F. Be truthful on all disclosure statements. In some states the disclosure is optional. Other states have a mandatory disclosure rule. If you are providing a sellers disclosure make sure that it is an accurate representation of the conditions that exist in the home. A competent inspector will be able to determine the age of the furnace, boiler, water heater, roof and the other equipment in the home. The more accurate the information you provide the better the buyers will feel about you and the home that they are buying.

G. There are a lot of sellers that try to cover up basement water issues. It is all but impossible to hide all evidence of water leakage and infiltration. If water leakage in the basement is a problem it is going to come out at the inspection. Its just not worth harming your reputation with your buyer.

H. Work with the buyer to repair the major problems they want to be addressed. Negotiation is acceptable but be open to fixing the problems. If you are willing to be flexible, the purchaser will be more at ease and may not push to have you fix everything on their list

Home inspections are usually associated with new construction and property selling. It is believed that more than 80% of the home sale deals are finalized after the properties have been inspected by professional inspection service companies and approved by them. A detailed inspection reassures the buyer that he/she is making a wise investment, while the liability of the agent also gets limited to a great extent as everything about the condition of the home on sale is out in the open. A pre-inspected and approved home commands a good price and even protects the seller from any legal action that could have arisen on account of non-disclosure.

While the importance of having the home inspected by an experienced professional before purchasing a home cannot be denied, there are many other purposes for which home inspection services can be utilized to great effect. These include

• Repair Assessment: There may be a situation where you get some repairs performed on your home and the quality of services leave you dissatisfied. You can hire a home inspection company to evaluate the job done.
• Pre-sale Inspection: If you are planning to put your home in the property market, you should get it professionally inspected. This way you can learn about the repairs that need to be performed before selling. Later on, the potential buyers won't be able to find any fault with the place and your home will get a good price.
• Maintenance Inspection: Regular and periodic inspection of the home by knowledgeable professionals helps you maintain your property. Faults can be identified and rectified before they develop into major issues requiring costly repairs or replacements. Most inspection agencies even offer additional services such as energy audits, pool or spa inspection, septic testing, indoor air quality testing, water sampling, etc. These are also very important services that help maintain healthy and hygienic living.
• Witness Services: At times, you may be unhappy with a tradesman's flawed services delivered for your home. If the issue does not get resolved and you have to take the tradesman to court, a certified home inspector can be a valuable witness to boost your claim.

Recognizing the importance of thorough inspection of a property, several companies have come up offering expert home inspection services. If you need to hire such a company, you can log on to an online local business directory to search for reputable, certified home inspection company servicing the region where your property is located.

Your home is one of the most significant investments of your life. Professional inspection services for your home not only help to make sure that you invest judiciously, but are also essential for protecting this investment for the years to come.

If you are trying to sell your home or if you are in the market for purchasing one, a step you might want or need to take in order to finalize the sale is a home inspection. A home inspection is simply an examination of the structure of your home, as well as its systems. The systems typically inspected by a home inspector include the central air conditioning system, the heating system, the electrical systems, and the interior plumbing. The inspector may also inspect the attic, the roof, the walls, the floors, the ceilings, the doors, the windows, the basement, the foundation, the visible insulation, and any other visible structures.

Having an inspection performed before making a purchase is important because it makes you aware of any problems the home may have before you decide to spend the money toward its purchase. Since a home is such a large purchase, you really need to know of anything that might need immediate repair or attention. Armed with this knowledge, you might want to renegotiate the price of the home or work out a deal in which the repair expenses are shared by you and the person selling you the home. If the damage is too extensive, you might choose to back out of the deal completely.

If problems are found in the home you are interested in purchasing, the home inspector should be able to refer you to a specialist to inspect the problem further. This person should be able to give you a better idea of the extent of the damage and how much it will cost to make the necessary repairs. By getting an estimate from the tradesperson, you can better determine if the cost of the repair is worthwhile.

Even if there are no problems with the home, a home inspection is beneficial because it helps you become more familiar with the home you are purchasing. In addition to pointing out the flaws of the home, the home inspector will also highlight the positive characteristics of the home. In addition, the home inspector can help you create a maintenance plan for keeping your new home in good shape.

If you are a current homeowner, having your home inspected still has its benefits - even if you are not interested in selling. By having your home inspected, you can learn more about the things you can do to prevent damage in your home and to avoid costly repairs in the future. Or, if you are interested in selling, a home inspection can give you a better idea of what repairs you should make in order to increase your selling price and improve your chances of selling the home.

What To Expect: Home buyers sometimes buy their home in on impulse. Home inspectors can help home buyers avoid buyers remorse by reporting on home defects and problems before the home buyer finds them after closing. Professional home inspectors assist home buying clients with the tools they need to make an educated choice regarding the quality and condition of their potential new home. Home buyers must take care to hire the most experienced home inspector they can afford and make sure the person they hire has their best interest solely in mind. Inspectors who rely on realtors for referrals sometimes have moral dilemmas.

Buyers Benefits: A professional home inspection is the best way for potential home buyers to effectively evaluate the risks of a property purchase. A major concern of home buyers is being suddenly confronted with major and costly problems after they take possession of a property. A professional pre-purchase home inspection can reduce anxiety by screening for problems and itemizing them in a comprehensive report. This report may include approximations of repair costs and recommendations of useful upgrades to the property systems. The general result of a professional home inspection is that property buyers make significantly more informed purchases.

Screening for Problems: All homes have strong and weak points, they are not always what they seem. Gain the perspective and sound information you need to make better decisions with a home inspection performed by an experienced professional home inspector. A good home inspector works through a very long checklist of potential concerns to identify the major and minor deficiencies in the home. A good report will clearly describe the problems and illustrate them along with the what-to and how-to of repairs.

Provide Owners Benefits: Home owners who are planning to make improvements to their homes in order to increase its market value would be well advised to have it inspected first. A home inspectors can help prioritize home improvements and offer advice on the best ways to approach repairs. More importantly, an inspectors can help the seller identify potential or undiscovered problems before those problems become material for contract contingencies. By taking a pro-active approach one can avoid the frustrations many owners encounter when they are asked to renegotiate their contracts because of unanticipated problem areas.

Credentials: Like any other professional, home inspectors (even those with licenses) have varied degrees of expertise. All home inspectors should be carefully screened. Inspectors learn from experience. It takes a few thousand inspections and a more than a few complaints for a home inspectors to LEARN what it takes to satisfy clients.

Recently passed legislation allows New Jersey home inspectors to be licensed with as little as three weeks of class room training and just one week in actual homes. Licensing is a minimum qualification. Make sure you ask for resume! Belive it or not the standards in many states are LOWER!

Many people without specific home inspection credentials offer home inspection services. Likewise, credentials are not always what they seem. Engineering and architectural credentials alone do not prepare anyone to competently inspect homes and communicate the findings. A helping attitude, good communication skills, and mature judgment must supplement technical competence. Make sure you work with a company employing a contract which specifies both what is inspected and what limitations apply.

Additional services like the ones listed below are usually NOT included in the standard home inspection are available for an additional fee.

Code compliance: to determine what changes and upgrades are necessary for the home to comply with modern (or when built) building, fire, plumbing, zoning, mechanical and electrical code and to determine if the required permits and inspection were obtained when changes were made to the home.

Engineering analysis: structural, heating, cooling, soils, electrical, geological, site, investigate for latent structural defects or problems, evaluate the condition of playground equipment, determine if private waste disposal systems are functional, determine if cantilevers are safe, evaluate traffic density and noise, evaluate insulation efficiency, perform flood plain review and issue flood hazard certification, evaluate easements and encroachments, determine the quantity and cost of wood replacement made necessary by rot, age, water infiltration and insect damage.

Hazardous materials: to determine the presence or absence of: asbestos, lead paint, lead in water, formaldehyde, radon gas, lead paint, fungus, mold, mildew, water and air quality, toxic or allergenic substances, flammable materials, underground oil or fuel tanks and other environmental hazards.

Pest evaluation: to determine the presence of animal, rodent, termite, pest or insect infestation and to provide an opinion as to the cost of repairing damage caused from these infestations.

Pool and spa: to evaluate the necessary changes and upgrades to pools, pool equipment, gates and fences.

Plumbing: to determine the condition and necessary upgrades and repairs to the waste piping, main sewer pipe, supply piping, venting, shower pans and tub walls, lawn and fire sprinklers, water wells (water quality and quantity) condition of underground and under slab piping.

Electrical: to determine the condition and necessary upgrades and repairs to the electrical system, telephone system wiring, intercom system, security systems, heat detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, provide circuit mapping, determine the electrical system capacity, adequacy of ground bonding, perform voltage testing, to evaluate electro magnetic fields, check voltage drops and circuit impedance.

Chimney sweep: check condition of flue, safety of wood burning stoves and perform level II chimney flue inspections as recommended by National Fire Protection Association.

Appraisal: determine the value of building and suitability for intended use, check zoning ordinances and provide an opinion on the advisability of purchase.

Mechanical contractor: determine the adequacy of the heating and cooling system size and provide efficiency measurement, provide an underground storage tank evaluation, perform heat exchanger leakage test, check the condition of evaporator coils, determine air flow velocity and balance system.

Appliance service person: test and calibrate oven and range temperature, test for microwave leakage, check to determine if appliances secured to floor as required.

Roofing contractor: more detailed evaluation of the roofing, flashing, chimney, provide tall ladder roof inspection and a detailed evaluation of the life expectancy of the roofing, feasibility of repair vs. replacement.

Home buyers are advised to make sure they check all of the following items carefully. If any of these problems after the purchase of the home the problems come with the home and they are now the YOURS (without costly litigation).

GENERAL

Were all your questions answered by the home inspector?

Were all your questions for the home owner answered in writing?

Have the previously agreed to repairs been professionally completed?

Have warranties and guarantees been provided for agreed upon repairs?

Were the home inspectors recommendations to have all recommended additional inspections and invasive inspections performed? If not open ended risks may be more than most buyers budgets can bare?

EXTERIOR

Check the operation of the windows and screens?

Has water been stopped from accumulating near the building?

Check doors, decks, siding, windows & fences for damage / deterioration?

Are there any signs of water infiltration from the roof, siding or windows?

Are there any signs of gutter or downspout problems?
Are the downspouts discharging water away from the foundation?

Has the soil around the home been pitched away from the foundation?

INTERIOR

Have all the areas listed in the home inspection report as inaccessible or not traversed been accessed & professionally inspected to determine if defects exist?

Do the garage doors and their openers function?

Was the reversing devices for the garage door openers tested?

Did you find out why any stains or cracks on any of the walls or ceilings that have become larger or have appeared since the time of the home inspection?

Have all cracked windows or mirrors been repaired?

Have all the clouded double pane windows been replaced?

Are all the permanently installed fixtures or appliances been in place and in good condition?

Are there any signs of birds, rodents or animals?
Has any damage to damage to the walls, floor or ceilings been repaired?

PLUMBING

Do the plumbing fixture faucets leak or drip?

Are the plumbing fixtures chipped or damaged?

Was water for a time through all plumbing fixtures and check for leakage?

Was water for a time through all plumbing fixtures and check for stoppage?

ELECTRICAL

Are all the light fixtures are all in place?

Do the light fixtures, switches and receptacles all function?

Does the door bell work?

HEATING AND COOLING

Do the thermostat, heating and cooling systems function?

Is there adequate air flow through the heating and cooling registers?

Did all the radiators or convectors get warm in a reasonable amount of time?

KITCHEN

Do all the appliances function properly?

Are the counter tops or cabinets damaged?

Do the cabinets and drawers operate?

Complete this check list during the walk through and go over it with your attorney prior to closing on the property Most inspection companies accept no liability for changes and problems that occur after the home inspection takes place. Please take the time to carefully and completely perform your pre-settlement walk though. Contact the home inspection company if there are any questions.

Michael Del Greco is President of Accurate Inspections, Inc. A New Jersey home inspection firm, has performed thousands of home inspections in New Jersey since 1993, taught the New Jersey Home Inspector Licensing classes and New Jersey Home Inspector CEU classes as well as participated in developing questions for the National Home Inspector Exam. The home inspector's resume may be viewed at http://www.accurateinspections.com/michael2.htm

Home inspection is the visual evaluation of the structure of the home. A thorough home inspection is needed when you have planned to purchase a home. The main purpose of home inspection is to gain knowledge about the property you are going to purchase and identify the areas that needs repair and special care in the future. The inspector will evaluate each and every part of your home like ceiling, wall, heating systems, electrical installations and other structures. Home inspection should be done by a trained and certified inspector in order to get an accurate evaluation about the home. The cost of the process varies based on the size and location of the home. Hire a good Calgary inspector before purchasing your home. It's very easy to find Calgary home inspectors online.

Now if you have decided to purchase a home it's time to hire a inspector to inspect. Before hiring a inspector look in for the inspectors or the companies training, experience and qualification. Many sites come out with the best inspector Calgary for your use. A good inspector can immediately identify areas that most likely need repair by just looking at it. Don't rely on an inspector if he is just certified and licensed, do a thorough background check about his performance and past experience. Home inspectors do not do any repairs, or replacements on the property. The only thing they do is tell you about the condition of the house you're going to purchase. They provide you with a result after the inspections are over.

The result of the report will include observation and evaluation. Along with the report the inspector will provide some suggestion any drawbacks, if any. A good home inspector will give a detailed report about your home in a limited period of time. There are many home inspectors in Calgary Alberta who provide a detailed report about the house they inspect. Home inspectors Calgary Alberta encourages you to attend the inspection along with them so that you may gain more knowledge about the home you're going to purchase. Find out what is wrong about the home you are going to purchase with the help of best Calgary inspection and fix the amount with the seller before purchasing it.

A home inspection is a step in the home buying process that should not be left out. Sometimes people will skip the home inspection in an effort to save money. By doing this these home buyers run the risk of not realizing issues on the exterior of the home that can cause headaches later on.

The siding that a home has installed is designed to protect the structure from water. When the siding is damaged or has maintenance issues the water may get behind the siding and then problems if not discovered can cause larger issues.

Vinyl siding is the most common siding installed on homes. It is relatively easy to install and long lasting. An issue that is regularly seen is that at penetrations there are gaps that will allow water penetration. These gaps exist where, for example, a gas pipe or the lines for the air conditioner enters the home. The gaps will allow water to get behind the siding and can lead to other issues such as rot and air leakage which will increase your heating and cooling bills.

Siding can also be installed too close to the soil surrounding the home. When siding is close to the soil or against it this closeness makes it easier for wood destroying insects to enter the home. The presence of wood destroying insects such as termites can cause lots of damage. The gap between the soil and the siding should be at least six to eight inches. Not only does this gap make it more difficult for insects to enter the home, the gap makes visual inspection of the foundation possible.

Other exterior issues that are discovered during a home inspection are trip hazards on walkways, guardrails that have too wide of gaps, guard rails that are wobbly, deck or porch posts that are rotted or are deteriorated and therefore not adequate. Decks

Decks are often constructed by home owners who may not have the knowledge and background to do an adequate job of building the deck. Poor connection of the ledger board to the house is a common issue. There are specific ways in which the ledger is to be attached to the house and protected from the weather. If not constructed correctly the ledger can rot or pull away form the house, the deck can then eventually fail and collapse, injuring or possible killing a person.

There are many other details and concerns a home inspector can find on the exterior of a home such as flashing, electrical, grading, gutters, downspouts, rake ends, soffits, etc. If you are buying a home, have it inspected by a certified home inspector.

You have decided on the house you're going to purchase and now you're thinking of getting it inspected. It could be your very first or one of many. You have heard horror stories about people buying a house, living in it for a few months, and then unexpectedly they had to spend thousands of dollars to fix something that should have been known before they bought their new place.

Well it was a dream home; it was just a nightmare dream.

Before they bought there was no interior inspection other then what they could see during a walk-though. There was no roofing check, no plumbing evaluation, no assessment of the electrical system. It does not matter whether you are buying a new house or an existing one, it can still possibly have hidden problems.

A knowledgeable professional can help you by doing a thorough home inspection and clearly explaining the current condition of the building. But you may not know anything about choosing a professional to perform this work.

In some states you do not even need a license to be a home inspector. However, in New Jersey they are required to be licensed. How do you select one who will be professional and knowledgeable?

Hopefully this article will help you when choosing an inspector. Here are a few questions that you can ask when you hire someone to do the job.

The very first question that I would ask the company that you are interviewing to inspect your new dream place is:

Are you a full time inspector and can you prove it?

You want an inspector that loves what he does and has your best interests in mind. There are part-time inspectors but full-time inspectors are dedicated to their work and care about providing you with a detailed report.

Remember this is your dream house and it's your money that you are spending. The number one rule is, don't be afraid to ask questions.

Next, ask if the inspector is the owner of the company. No one works harder for you than the owner of the company. The success of the business depends on exceeding your expectation for quality and professionalism each and every time. "Employee inspectors" simply don't provide you that level of service. Be sure to get an inspection from the owner of the company because he has a vested interest in ensuring your Total Satisfaction!

Here's one more question that you need to ask your prospective inspector. Ask if he guarantees his work. Ask if they back up their work unconditionally with a 100% money back customer satisfaction guarantee.

Many people don't know the questions to ask when selecting a home inspection company. Because of this they often choose to shop on price. You are investing a lot of money to purchase your new residence and you have worked hard to be able to afford it. Without proper review, your investment could cost you a lot in repairs later if the person you hire does not perform a thorough inspection. Be sure to hire a professional who will take the time to do a detailed check and clearly explain to you what was found.

Good luck on buying your dream house and keep this article handy when you're choosing a home inspector.