Andrew And Associates

Home Inspection: What Should You Expect?

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Home buyers all have one thing in common. They want their new home to be as solid and sound beneath the surface as it appears to the eye. That’s why the request a home inspection. Before purchasing a home, they want the heating, cooling, roof, floors, walls, appliances, etc. to be in good condition and working as they’re suppose to work. It would be a smart thing to do a pre-inspection on your own before the professional home inspector arrives. If you know what to look for, it can help you avoid small problems becoming big problems.

There are two things to look for in your plumbing… leaks and clogs. You can normally see leaking. A professional home inspector will determine your water pressure by turning on all the faucets in your highest bathroom and then flushing the toilet. If the inspector hears the sound of running water, it suggests that your pipes are undersized. If he sees dirty water when the faucet is running, this suggests that the pipes are rusting. Rust can cause serious water quality problems.

Inspectors place a white powdery substance a few inches off the floor in order to check your walls. He will also check to see where you store items in your basement. Are they on the floor? If so, this may suggest you have no water problems. If you store items off the floor, it may indicate you have water problems. The inspector will be conscious of mildew, although it is practically impossible to eliminate its odor. If you have to seal a crack in the basement foundation, it can get expensive depending upon the severity of the crack. If you have to add a sump pump and pit, you’re looking at several thousand dollars.

All homes should have a minimum of 100 amps electrical usage. This should be clearly marked. Poor electrical wiring can cause fires. The wiring in your home should be copper or aluminum. The home inspector will examine the octopus plugs to determine if you have adequate circuits or a possible fire problem.

High heating bills are normally caused by poor insulation and/or a poor heating system. The home inspector will thoroughly examine your heating unit. He will see if there is rust on the heat exchanger. In addition, he will ask about the life expectancy of the unit, usually fifteen to twenty-five years. Then, he will determine the current age, to estimate the life expectancy remaining in the heating unit. The primary focus of the inspection will be on the heat exchanger. If it is cracked, you have a potential carbon monoxide problem. You cannot repair a heat exchanger. It must be replaced.

The professional home inspector will check for water problems and leaks that result from problems with the roof. Often you can visually see problems with shingles or mechanical damage caused from high winds. The inspector will also check your gutters for leaks and downspouts that allow water to run through the exterior walls. If this occurs, this can produce serious internal wall problems.

As part of the home inspection, the inspector will examine your attic spaces. He will look for signs for damp spaces. Damp spaces are indications of poor ventilation, insulation and vapor barrier problems. These problems cause water to collect and produce moisture, mildew and mold. Any type of water problem can accelerate the wear and life of the roof and building structures. If you have a serious problem, it can cost several thousand dollars to repair it.

Water causes additional problems. These include rotting wood in doors, windows, decks, siding, trim and fences. Inspectors normally check wood carefully for signs of water problems… even if you’ve recently painted.

If you have problems with the bricks on the exterior of your home, you will also have water and moisture problems. Inspectors will carefully examine the brick on the exterior of the home and in a fire place. Fallen bricks in a fire place can lead to the total collapse of the chimney.

Potential fire problems occur when the electrical amps drawn on a circuit exceed their original design. The most common circuits in a home are typically 15 amps. However, larger appliances such as dryers and stoves require more amperage.

A good home inspector will carefully examine the security and safety features of your home. He will look at locks on windows, doors and patio doors. He will see if you have dead bolt locks on your front door, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all bedrooms and levels of your home. Check with a local expert before purchasing or replacing any of these items.

Finally, the inspector will carefully examine the foundation and underlying structure of your home. It is important that the foundation be in good condition. The entire remaining structure of your home is dependent upon the foundation.

This should give you a basic idea of many of the things a home inspector will look for as they do your home inspection. When you’re ready to sell your home, you don’t want any big surprises. It would be very wise for you to take a little time and check the items mentioned in this report. It can save you a lot of money, not to mention headaches and potential lawsuits after your home is sold.

Choose your Agent wisely. Any agent will show enthusiasm and will want to list your house for sale but choose your agent based upon

1. Experience in listing and marketing houses for sale.
2. Ability to use technology to market your house world wide to buyers 24/7.
3. An extensive comprehensive Marketing Analysis of recent home sales in your area.
4. Ability to offer a written detailed 30-Day Marketing Plan that will get your home sold quickly and at maximum value.

Working with a full-time professional real estate agent is a must.  Ask questions of your potential agent.  Find out how knowledgeable they are about houses currently for sale in your price range and also of houses that have recently sold. A good listing agent can get your house sold quickly at Top Dollar and help you find a new home.

Do you have questions or need advice you can count on or just want to discuss this further?

Don’t waste any more time; pick up the phone and call me now!  I’m here to help!

I offer a five star guarantee. I appreciate your business, loyalty, trust and referrals. My goal is to provide the very best counsel and advice to meet your real estate needs. If I can assist you, a relative, friend or co-worker, please give me a call. I look forward to the opportunity to serve you.

For prompt, courteous, professional service, call Larry Andrew: