Home Inspection Tips
MICHAEL W. SMITH, REALTOR® Your Home Sold Guaranteed OR I'll Buy It!
Friday, November 19, 2021
As a buyer, you are entitled to know exactly what you are getting. Don’t take anything for granted, not even what you see or what the seller or listing agent may tell you. Professional inspections are something you MUST do or have, whether you are buying an existing home or a new one. The inspection(s) are an opportunity to have an experts look closely at the property you are considering purchasing. They will then provide a written opinion as to its condition.
These days, the seller will generally provide some, if not all the inspections that you will need for you to give you a clear understanding of the properties condition. The next few emails will provide you with information as to the ones that are most common and others that you may want to consider depending on the property.
The Home Inspection could be the single-most important process in buying a home, as it ensures that the house is safe, secure, and problem free. Knowing this about the home you are about to move into can put your mind at ease, or if problems do arise in the inspection, the inspection gives you the power to ask the seller to make repairs, or pull out of the purchase deal altogether.
The two main inspections performed on a property are The Home Inspection (also known as "The Whole House Inspection") and The Pest Inspection (also known as the "Termite Inspection"). This page will teach you about these inspections, what they include, plus identify other customary inspections.
The Home Inspection
The Home Inspection, or also known as The Whole House Inspection, is by far the most important home inspection for a Buyer. Unless you are an expert it is highly unlikely that you will catch a home’s minor, or sometimes even major, problems during a typical house viewing. This is why it is important to obtain a professional, unbiased second opinion before making such an important decision. Therefore, as a homebuyer, if you find yourself asking the question “do I need a home inspection?” The simple answer is, “yes.”
A good home inspection will give you an unbiased assessment of the structural and mechanical soundness of the home. The inspector will identify any existing or potential problem areas, and give an overview of the condition of the foundation, basement, roof, windows, doors, walls, ceilings, floors, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems. When possible, Home Inspections may also offer information on how to solve any problems discovered. Depending on the size of your home, a Home Inspection will cost you anywhere between $250-$600 or sometimes more depending upon the size of the home.
A question you may now be asking is “how do I find a good home inspector?” When hiring a home inspector to perform the home inspection, make sure that they are well established and have the required experience and credentials. Be sure they are independent and unbiased – they have no affiliation with any firms that might create a conflict of interest. Confirm that they will provide a thorough home inspection written report of their findings.
Last, but not least, make sure they are members of a professional association, such as ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors), NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) or ICBO (International Conference of Building Officials). Your REALTOR will usually have some good referrals for home inspectors if you do not know one personally yourself.
What a Home Inspection Should Cover
Home inspections will vary depending on the type of property you are purchasing. A large historic home, for example, will require a more specialized home inspection than a small condominium. However, the following are the basic elements that a home inspection will include:
Structure: A home’s skeleton impacts how the property stands up to weather, gravity, and the earth. Structural components, including the foundation and the framing, should be inspected.
Exterior: The home inspection should include visuals of sidewalks, driveways, steps, windows, and doors. A home’s siding, trim, and surface drainage also are part of an exterior portion of the home inspection.
Roofing: A well-maintained roof protects you from rain, snow, and other forces of nature. Take note of the roof’s age, conditions of flashing, roof draining systems (pooling water), buckled shingles, loose gutters and downspouts, skylight, and chimneys. A whole house inspector is not a licensed roofer, so they do not move tiles to check valleys, etc. Only a visual. If any red flags are noted with the visual, they will simply "recommend" a licensed roofer inspect further.
Plumbing: Thoroughly examine the water supply and drainage systems, water heating equipment, and fuel storage systems. Drainage pumps and sump pumps also fall under this category. Poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots, or corrosion can indicate problems.
Electrical: Safe electrical wiring is essential. Home inspections should include the condition of service entrance wires, service panels, breakers and fuses, and disconnects. Also take note of the number of outlets in each room.
Heating: The home’s heating system, vent system, flues, and chimneys should be inspected. Look for age of water heater, whether the size is adequate for the house, speed of recovery, and energy rating.
Air Conditioning: The home inspection should describe the home cooling system, its energy source, and inspect the central and through-wall cooling equipment. Consider the age and energy rating of the system.
Interiors: An inspection of the inside of the home can reveal plumbing leaks, construction defects, and other issues. The home inspection should include a look at walls, ceilings, floors, steps, stairways, railings, counter tops and cabinets, garage doors and garage door systems.
Ventilation/insulation: To prevent energy loss, home inspections check for adequate insulation and ventilation in the attic and in unfinished areas such as crawlspaces. Home inspections also look for proper, secured insulation in walls. Insulation should be appropriate for the climate. Excess moisture in the home can lead to mold and water damage.
What a home inspection does not generally and actively inspect are wood-destroying organisms like termites and dry rot. Certainly a whole house inspector does look out for those items if they are obvious, and the home inspection will surely call them out, but will say something like “see pest inspection report for further evaluation.” So, what is a pest inspection? What does a pest inspection cover?
Thinking of selling or buying a property? don't hesitate to give us a call! We have years of experience in the real estate industry and are always available to help. Call Michael today and start packing! (925) 570-5130
#MichaelWSmith #HomeInspections #MichaelWSmithRealEstate
These days, the seller will generally provide some, if not all the inspections that you will need for you to give you a clear understanding of the properties condition. The next few emails will provide you with information as to the ones that are most common and others that you may want to consider depending on the property.
Home Inspections
The Home Inspection could be the single-most important process in buying a home, as it ensures that the house is safe, secure, and problem free. Knowing this about the home you are about to move into can put your mind at ease, or if problems do arise in the inspection, the inspection gives you the power to ask the seller to make repairs, or pull out of the purchase deal altogether.
The two main inspections performed on a property are The Home Inspection (also known as "The Whole House Inspection") and The Pest Inspection (also known as the "Termite Inspection"). This page will teach you about these inspections, what they include, plus identify other customary inspections.
The Home Inspection
The Home Inspection, or also known as The Whole House Inspection, is by far the most important home inspection for a Buyer. Unless you are an expert it is highly unlikely that you will catch a home’s minor, or sometimes even major, problems during a typical house viewing. This is why it is important to obtain a professional, unbiased second opinion before making such an important decision. Therefore, as a homebuyer, if you find yourself asking the question “do I need a home inspection?” The simple answer is, “yes.”
A good home inspection will give you an unbiased assessment of the structural and mechanical soundness of the home. The inspector will identify any existing or potential problem areas, and give an overview of the condition of the foundation, basement, roof, windows, doors, walls, ceilings, floors, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems. When possible, Home Inspections may also offer information on how to solve any problems discovered. Depending on the size of your home, a Home Inspection will cost you anywhere between $250-$600 or sometimes more depending upon the size of the home.
A question you may now be asking is “how do I find a good home inspector?” When hiring a home inspector to perform the home inspection, make sure that they are well established and have the required experience and credentials. Be sure they are independent and unbiased – they have no affiliation with any firms that might create a conflict of interest. Confirm that they will provide a thorough home inspection written report of their findings.
Last, but not least, make sure they are members of a professional association, such as ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors), NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) or ICBO (International Conference of Building Officials). Your REALTOR will usually have some good referrals for home inspectors if you do not know one personally yourself.
What a Home Inspection Should Cover
Home inspections will vary depending on the type of property you are purchasing. A large historic home, for example, will require a more specialized home inspection than a small condominium. However, the following are the basic elements that a home inspection will include:
Structure: A home’s skeleton impacts how the property stands up to weather, gravity, and the earth. Structural components, including the foundation and the framing, should be inspected.
Exterior: The home inspection should include visuals of sidewalks, driveways, steps, windows, and doors. A home’s siding, trim, and surface drainage also are part of an exterior portion of the home inspection.
Roofing: A well-maintained roof protects you from rain, snow, and other forces of nature. Take note of the roof’s age, conditions of flashing, roof draining systems (pooling water), buckled shingles, loose gutters and downspouts, skylight, and chimneys. A whole house inspector is not a licensed roofer, so they do not move tiles to check valleys, etc. Only a visual. If any red flags are noted with the visual, they will simply "recommend" a licensed roofer inspect further.
Plumbing: Thoroughly examine the water supply and drainage systems, water heating equipment, and fuel storage systems. Drainage pumps and sump pumps also fall under this category. Poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots, or corrosion can indicate problems.
Electrical: Safe electrical wiring is essential. Home inspections should include the condition of service entrance wires, service panels, breakers and fuses, and disconnects. Also take note of the number of outlets in each room.
Heating: The home’s heating system, vent system, flues, and chimneys should be inspected. Look for age of water heater, whether the size is adequate for the house, speed of recovery, and energy rating.
Air Conditioning: The home inspection should describe the home cooling system, its energy source, and inspect the central and through-wall cooling equipment. Consider the age and energy rating of the system.
Interiors: An inspection of the inside of the home can reveal plumbing leaks, construction defects, and other issues. The home inspection should include a look at walls, ceilings, floors, steps, stairways, railings, counter tops and cabinets, garage doors and garage door systems.
Ventilation/insulation: To prevent energy loss, home inspections check for adequate insulation and ventilation in the attic and in unfinished areas such as crawlspaces. Home inspections also look for proper, secured insulation in walls. Insulation should be appropriate for the climate. Excess moisture in the home can lead to mold and water damage.
What a home inspection does not generally and actively inspect are wood-destroying organisms like termites and dry rot. Certainly a whole house inspector does look out for those items if they are obvious, and the home inspection will surely call them out, but will say something like “see pest inspection report for further evaluation.” So, what is a pest inspection? What does a pest inspection cover?
Thinking of selling or buying a property? don't hesitate to give us a call! We have years of experience in the real estate industry and are always available to help. Call Michael today and start packing! (925) 570-5130
#MichaelWSmith #HomeInspections #MichaelWSmithRealEstate
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