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The Home Inspector Visit
A home inspector visit is a normal procedure for a home sale real estate transactions. It provides for
a level playing ground between the seller and the buyer.
If you own a property that is offered for sale and you get a notice that an offer is taking place plus a Home Inspector
visit is inevitable, you should consider reading on.
It's to your ultimate best interest to fully participate in any home inspection of the property for sale. By
doing so, you will eliminate future misunderstandings, possible liability and the cost of defending any alledged
liability issues.
Typical Home Inspector Visit Items of Concern
Roof shingles will be highly examined for age and the quality in which they were installed. This will include
an actual walk on the roof. Spongenous or soft spots on the roof will be explored as to why they exist. While there, the inspector will examine roof vents, ridge vents, power roof vents,
chimneys, gutters, plumbing vents and any and all other penetrations through the roof.
If you are aware of any defects in the roof of the property in question, you should inform the inspector if he/she doesn't ask
you about the defect before.
A home inspector visit includes "weather-proofness" of the property. He will be looking for
any signs of loose or damaged siding, trim and the proper sealing of windows and doors. Loose siding can mean
water damage behind the siding, which can mean possibility of mold or wood rot. The same goes for damaged siding.
All windows and doors should be caulked around making an air and water tight seal to the siding, no matter what
kind of siding is involved.
Again, if you know of hidden defects related to this or any other subject relative to the property, you
need to tell the inspector.
Next, a home inspector vist will include a close examination of the foundation of the property. Noticeable cracks in the
foundation will be big concerns. Huge cracks in the foundation wall will be analyzed for movement or out of plumbness.
Cracks in any concrete flatwork around or in the home, basement, garag and driveway or patios, will
be considered as to the severity of the defect and whether they require repair.
If you have knowledge of foundation repairs or concerns be sure and let the home inspector know about them.
The inspector will move inside and begin his search. He is quite concerned with kitchen appliances, their operation
as well as the integrity of gas lines to the appliances, including the proper working of any water heaters and
furnaces. Washers and dryers are sometimes excluded in the sale of a property. If this is the case then he will
not spend any time viewing these. He will, however, examine the ventilation pipe from a dryer to the outside.
Inform the inspector of any known defects or service calls that you know of.
Plumbing and electrical component items are certainly part of a home inspector visit. Those that are readily visible and
some that aren't, are subjects of
a good inspection. Toilets, tubs, sinks and all water faucets (inside and outside) will be tested for proper
operation. Proper drainage of tubs, sinks, floor drains, etc. is noted as well. Proper water pressure and velocity thereof are examined.
Outlets, circuit breakers, GFCI outlets in required areas, as well as proper circuit breaker panel box grounding will
be inspected extensively. No double tapping of individual circuit breakers will pass. Wire size and amperage of each
breaker will be included in the home inspector visit, too.
Advising the inspector of electrical or plumbing problems or concerning issues is a good thing to do.
A home inspector visit definitely includes inspection of the attic. Here, the inspector is looking for
any signs of moisture, leaks, mold, insect or animal infestation, leaks in the roof, improper bathroom
ventilation, wiring hazards, improper framing of the roof structure and lack of proper insulation.
A good inspector approaches each property and each area in that property with open eyes looking for
anything that is abnormal, hidden from site or signs of neglect. Water staines, mold and any signs of past fires or floods.
Infestations of animals, insects, rodents or worse are searched for.
A home inspector visit includes examination of all areas in the home. By law, most home inspector visits
do NOT include examination of each outlet, but rather
a representative number of outlets in a room. Closets are usually viewed, but if excess "stuff" makes seeing all of the
closet impossible, he is not required to move anything. This goes for any other area in the house as well.
During a a home inspector visit, an inspector may not damage any wall or other part of a home while inspecting. Inspections are to be
non-evasive and are basically limited for liablility to "what can be seen".
In general, if it's in or on the property for sale (excluding out buildings, wells, septic systems and underground tanks),
it's fair game for the home inspector to investigate. These men and women have been trained for weeks and are licensed by the state. They are not allowed to do damage to the
property, but they will do a thorough job of inspecting any components that are in view.
As the potential seller of the property, you should never try to hide things from the inspector by piling clothes or
other things in front of damaged areas. If you know of improper things around your house, expose them to the
home inspector. He is there to fully layout the facts of the condition of the property in question to the buyer so that
the buyer can make an informed decision as to whether he wants to purchase the property or not. Many buyers
will work with the seller on items that are found in a typical home inspection.
Sleep good at night, knowing that
you co-operated fully and have nothing to hide. Discovering problem items after the closing will be huge issues and you
don't want to be responsible for anything like that.
For more information regarding Home Inspections Click Here.
Web Updates
I will continually add new improvement projects, repair and maintenance information, remodeling ideas as well as general tips and ideas for turning your house into your home.
So be sure and check back often for new additions.
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