What do inspectors look for in a home inspection

Home inspectors commonly encounter problems with electrical wiring such as reverse polarity, missing junction boxes, and damaged receptacles. Homes built between and may have inferior aluminum wiring , a concern home inspectors will also identify. Have a licensed electrician inspect and upgrade any faulty outlets and junction boxes.

Make sure that your breaker box is correctly labeled as well. Older homes are prone to structural issues such as sagging floor joists, rafters, and door headers. It may not be immediately apparent if a structural issue is major or minor, and many home inspectors will advise buyers to have the home inspected by an engineer if that is the case.

Structural repairs are among the most costly and can turn buyers off. If your home shows signs of structural flaws, hire a structural engineer to assess the extent of the problems and the potential repair costs.

Having numerous problems can signal to an inspector, and the buyer, that the home has been poorly maintained. A fresh coat of paint inside and out can go a long way toward improving the visible condition of a home. Replace or repair broken light fixtures and appliances, as well. Inspections can be stressful for sellers, but knowing what inspectors look for can help you anticipate things that fail a home inspection.

Minor tweaks here and there can improve the overall report. Repair major issues in advance or disclose to the seller.

After the inspection report, a buyer has the option to back out of the contract without penalty. They can also renegotiate the sale price or request that the seller make specific repairs. Sellers are generally not required to fix anything uncovered during inspection.

But they have a strong incentive to consider making reasonable repairs because the buyer can back out. Home inspections can reveal unknown issues like mold, termites, and foundation problems. These issues are often costly to fix and can scare off buyers. Most real estate contracts today have an option period, during which buyers have a limited window of time to back out of a contract for any reason. Buying a home is never a stress-free experience.

That can be especially true for veterans, who may be in the process of transitioning back to civilian life or dealing with a combat-related disability on top of trying to find and finance a home. Veterans may qualify for several military benefits for buying a home. This […]. Read More. The program was created by President Obama in to provide a stop-gap to deportations. Although the […]. Advertiser Disclosure.

On average, a single-family home inspection usually takes hours to complete, though this is heavily dependent on the of the size and condition of the home. After the inspection process, the inspector will send the client an inspection report often within hours that covers their findings, complete with pictures, analysis and recommendations. The standard home inspector's report will cover the condition of the home's heating system; central air conditioning system temperature permitting ; interior plumbing system; electrical system; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; and the foundation, basement and structural components.

It is important to note that there may be some exceptions. If certain areas are inaccessible locked door, tenant's belongings in the way or unsafe conditions severely steep roofs, poor structural integrity the inspector will explain the situation and note that they were not able to assess that specific area or system. Buying a home could be the largest single investment the homebuyer will ever make. To minimize unpleasant surprises and unexpected difficulties, homebuyers should strive to learn as much as they can about the house before they buy it.

A home inspection may identify the need for major repairs or builder oversights, as well as the need for maintenance to keep it in good shape. Through the home inspection process, homebuyers will have a better understanding about their prospective house, which will allow them to make decisions with confidence. If a homeowner is planning to sell their home, a home inspection can give them the opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition.

It is not required for the homebuyer to be present for the inspection. You can also save time with a paint-and- primer -in-one product. An inspector will observe a home's roof from the ground. He doesn't actually have to climb up there. He may, but it's a long shot. For a thorough check, you'll have to call in a roofing contractor.

There's more to consider here than just water leaks. The roof can be a party palace for local critters like birds nesting in a fireplace chimney, termites yes, some varieties start at the top and work their way down and roof rats. Raccoons , those naughty bandits, have also been known to excavate their way through a home's roof. Imagine the scene: You find your dream home, and it has breathtaking curb appeal.

The shrubs are precisely sculpted, the flowering annuals look like a Monet painting, and the lawn is a verdant green carpet sloping gently to the sidewalk. The property is dotted with trees that contribute dappled light and filigreed shadows over a landscape that may soon be yours. It's majestic; it's Old World; it's a nightmare. Elaborate landscaping takes a lot of work and equipment to maintain, and the cost of lawn preparations, soil amendments and pesticides could pay your cousin's gambling debts.

Unless you love gardening and plan on making it your life's work, enjoy the weeping angel fountain, but buy the low-maintenance property down the block. Curb appeal is important, but opt for easy-care shrubs and a lawn that doesn't need pampering. Check with your local nursery or home improvement outlet for plants and grasses that thrive in your part of the country and can take some abuse. Pets are great, but you've got to admit that pet dander in the draperies, the hair in the heating ducts and the scratches on the hardwood floor make them an expensive inconvenience when it comes time to sell.

After noting that a home has or had pets, a house inspector will move on to the next item on his list. That simple statement won't take into account what it will cost to get the pet odor out of the carpet , repair the woodwork or regrow those dead spots in the lawn.

Cigarette smoke residue can take years to leech out of walls, carpeting and air conditioning ducts -- if it ever comes out at all. You might think your trusty olfactory stink-o-meter would know right away that a smoker has been at work spewing carcinogens all over your soon-to-be maybe home, but that might not be true.

The strong smell of Febreze, ammonia, bleach and even baking cookies how sneaky can disguise the wicked stench. One humid afternoon soon after the sale, the rank aroma of spent ciggys could start oozing toward your unsuspecting family. Be proactive and beat the butts. Make sure you're buying a non-smoking home.

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