Get Informed about Home Inspection

The Homebuyer Protection Plan has been previously approved by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Through this act, homebuyers who file applications for an FHA-insured mortgage need to make sure that their properties comply with the standards set by the FHA. This aims to protect home buyers from buying a house that is in poor condition.

This program also requires potential homebuyers to sign an informational form that explains how an appraisal is not a home inspection. This asks for the homebuyer to get a home inspection prior to closing a sale and purchasing a house.

This program strengthens the role of home inspectors in the sale and resale of homes. The condition of a house is now a major condition that not only involves a seller and a buyer, but also the government. Because of this, real estate agents now need to make sure that a house has been inspected by a certified home inspection company to make sure that the property meets the standards set by the government.

To determine if an insurance company is legal and is eligible to conduct home inspections, the sellers and sales associates should make sure that home inspectors have insurance that includes professional liability, general liability and workers’ compensation. A home inspection company should also be certified by a recognized certification and training program.

Through a home inspection, sellers can conduct repairs before a house is seen by a potential buyer. This increases the chances for a house to be bought. A home inspection can give both the buyer and the seller the peace of mind they need about the house. Getting a home inspection also eliminates the possibility of last-minute price negotiations. These happen when an unseen defect is found by the buyer. Going through renegotiations can be a waste of time, of money and effort for both the seller and the buyer.

A home inspection also increases the chances of a house to be bought. Every home buyer would appreciate it if the seller took his time and effort to assure that the condition of the house is fine. Aside from having strong proof on the condition of the house, a home inspection report also reflects the integrity of a seller.

A home inspection report has a lot of advantages both for the buyer and the seller, and is certainly an integral factor in every house purchase.

Have a Pre-Sale Home Inspection

If you are shopping for a home, the two most important factors you need to assess aside from your budget is the location of the house and its condition. The overall state of the house will make or break its sale.

A home inspection will not only give the buyer an idea of the property that he wants to purchase. It will also determine the price of the house. Therefore, in as much as the buyer needs a home inspector to help him decide whether to purchase a house or not, the seller also needs to have a Pre-Sale home inspection so that he will know how to put value on the house.

This puts everything in black and white so that there are no problems in pricing. Also, a home inspection will save you time and money from doing the inspection all by yourself. Aside from the market analysis prepared by a real estate agent, the home inspection report will also help you put a price on the house. If the house is in top condition, or if there are new appliances and installations in the property, then a home inspection report can prove that and therefore increase the pricing of your house.

The seller also has the responsibility of undertaking the necessary repairs for a house. A home inspection will reveal the areas and items in the house that need to be repaired. After the repairs have been done, the seller can attach proofs to the inspection report to prove that repairs have actually been done. This increases the chances for the home to be sold easily.

A home inspection will primarily make negotiations as objective as possible. Moreover, since everything about the condition of the house is included in the home inspection report, there would be fewer needs for renegotiations.

By investing in hiring a home inspector, you not only save time. You are also able to establish yourself as a seller with integrity and objectivity. The price you pay for a professional home inspector is well worth every time and money you will spend.

New homes should get a home inspection done

Nevada new home communities offer a different kind of property investment and savings to a home purchase. There are currently tons of incentives and benefits available currently in the market. Nevada has several new communities being built right now which are a great value to new home buyers.

The government is stepping in to help out by offering first time home buyer or home buyers who haven’t purchased a new home in the past 3 years. Although you are purchasing a brand new home you should still consider getting a new home inspection. However, even though you are making a new home purchase, it is vital to have a home inspection done on your new home as it can reveal any problems with the way the home was constructed. In some situations, a home inspection report can bring out defects that can be rectified by the seller. After the inspection is completed and you have received a certified letter of qualifications you are good to go.

The reason this is necessary is that through a home inspection report you can find out if the home you are purchasing is worth the money spent and if it is built according to acceptable building practices. It is unfortunately often a home inspection report will reveal conditions that inform you to look elsewhere, thereby saving you the trouble of investing in a property that’s not up to the quality you were expecting.

Nevada has plenty of different price ranges offered to buyers right now is attractive, plus buyers have the security of living in a residential community with necessary facilities very close to their home. This gives them a lot of convenience and security not found everywhere. This should be a great start for you if you are thinking about moving to Nevada.

How Home Inspectors Prevent Future Expenses.

If you are looking for a house to buy, informal and formal home inspection service should be part of your home buying process. This will prevent you from suffering stress and spending a lot of money in the future.

You can do an informal home inspection before hiring a professional home inspector. This will save you professional house inspection fees, as it would be costly to pay a professional home inspector for every house that gets your attention. You can also ask the homeowner or the broker for disclosures on the house condition. In California and in some other states, home sellers need to inform buyers about certain house conditions including potential hazards to buyers.

Even so, you still need to do your own informal and professional home inspection because there might be potential problems that the sellers do not know or did not tell you.

The professional home inspection can be done before signing the agreement to buy the house. If the contract is signed before house inspection, the validity of the contract must depend on the result of the professional house inspection.

When choosing a house inspector, check the website of the American Society of Home Inspectors. You can also ask your neighbors and friends for recommendations. Do not ask recommendations from your real estate broker, as the broker-recommended house inspector might prioritize the interests of the broker. General contractors are often good home inspectors, as they know how houses are built and how defects in construction arise.

Accompany the home inspector during the inspection process. Good inspectors check all the major parts and systems of the house, such as plumbing, heating, ventilation and electrical systems. They also inspect the roof, drainage and foundation. Their fees depend on the size, type, age and location of the house to be inspected. It can range from $250 to $600.

Aside from the general home inspection, you should also have a pest inspection. Some general home inspectors are also registered pest inspectors, but they usually charge an additional fee for pest inspection. The special inspector will check termites, flying beetles and other wood-boring pests. They will also check rot and other wood fungus infestations.

There are also specialized home inspections available if you want to be certain about several hazards, such as lead, asbestos and mold, and about the strength of the house to withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. If the general inspector identified problems in certain parts of the house and you still want the house, you should hire inspectors that specialize in those parts. The special inspector will tell you the extent of your future repairs.

Finally after the general and specialized home inspections are completed and the inspectors did not find any major defects, congratulate yourself because you have already found your dream house. But if the house inspectors found major defects, such as termite infestation or defective plumbing systems, then you should negotiate with your seller to have the defects corrected or the price reduced.

What is a Home Inspection? Their Purpose the Process.

Inspections - Their Purpose and Process

A home inspection, as defined, is an examination of the physical structure and systems of a home, which provides a detailed ’snapshot’ of the condition of the home at the time of the inspection. The purpose of a home inspection is to help reduce some of the risk involved in purchasing a home; however, it cannot eliminate those risks, nor can the inspector anticipate future events or changes in performance due to changes in use or occupancy. The inspection will cover any potential health and safety issues in addition to areas in need of repair or replacement.

In Texas, inspectors must be licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), and are required to comply with the TREC Standards of Practice when inspections are performed for a prospective buyer or seller of a one-to-four family residential property. The Standards of Practice are the minimum levels of inspection practice required of inspectors for the accessible parts, components, and systems typically found in improvements to real property.

Keep in mind that the inspector is not required to move any furnishings or stored items. Therefore, it is always a good idea to ensure the access to all the major components of the home is clear prior to the inspection commencing.

In the report, the inspector will note which items were Inspected (I), Not Inspected (NI), Not Present (NP), and/or Deficient (D). General deficiencies include inoperability, material distress, water penetration, damage, deterioration, missing parts and unsuitable installation. Items identified on the report do not obligate either the Seller or the Buyer to make any repairs or take any other action. The decision to correct a hazard or any deficiency identified in an inspection report is left to the parties to the contract for the sale or purchase of the home.

Please keep in mind that there may be several items on the report that are related to building codes or safety issues - and very few homes will comply with these. These same conditions may not have violated building codes or common practices at the time of the construction of the home, or they may have been ‘grandfathered’ because they were present prior to the adoption of codes prohibiting such conditions. The inspection is still required by law to report these items as deficient if found not to comply.

Why do I need a home inspection?

The purchasing of your home may be the largest single investment you will ever make. To minimize unwanted surprises, you will want to learn as much as you can about the condition of the home BEFORE you purchase it. An inspection may identify the need for repairs, as well as the need for maintenance to better protect your investment. After the inspection, you will know more about the property, which will aid you in making an informed decision as to purchase the home or not.

What does a home inspection cost?

The inspection fee for a typical single-family property varies depending upon a number of factors such as: size of the house; its age, particular features of the house (slab foundation, crawl space, etc…); and possible option systems inspected. Typically, a home inspection costs around $250 to $600…plus any ‘optional’ services, such as: lawn sprinkler systems; swimming pools, spas, hot tubs and associated equipment; outbuildings; outdoor cooking equipment; gas supply systems; private water wells; septic systems; whole-house vacuum systems; and other built-in appliances. Cost should not be a factor in deciding whether or not to have a home inspection - due to the potential costs involved should you decide NOT to have it inspected.

Can a home ‘fail’ an inspection?

No, an inspection is an examination of the current condition of the home. There is no ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ rating issued.

When do I schedule the home inspection?

Once the purchase contract has been signed, you will want to schedule your home inspection right away. This is because you will want to find out about any potential problems, have time to schedule any additional inspections that may be required, and of course…time to negotiate repairs with the Owner. All of this will need to occur DURING your option period. Should it exceed the time frame of your option period, and you have not extended the option period, you are stuck with purchasing the home, no matter what additional problems may be revealed in the condition of the home.

Should I attend the inspection?

If you are the Buyer, I recommend you have the inspector call you before his inspection is concluded. Allow yourself enough time to get there and attend a final walk-thru with the inspector. You will want him to show you any potential problems - also, feel free to ask any questions about his report. If you are the Seller, you have every right to attend; however, I recommend that you do not follow the inspector around the house trying to justify any deficiency he writes down.

What if deficiencies are found in the home?

If the inspector identified any deficiencies, this does not mean that you should not purchase the home. It only notifies you in advance of what you can expect. Perhaps the major issues can be negotiated out, and the minor issues can be repaired by you after you purchase the home. Do not ‘nit-pick’ every little item on the report. That is a good way to get the Seller ticked off.

As the Seller, how do I prepare my home for the inspection?

• Ensure all utilities are turned on
  
• All pilot lights are lit
  
• All locks are to be removed or unlocked from areas that may prohibit the inspector accessing, such as attics, doors, padlocks on gates, etc…
  
• Attic access is clear. If attic access is in the garage, be sure there are no cars, shelving units, moving boxes, storage crates blocking the access. If attic access is in a hallway or closet, make sure thee are no light fixtures or furniture blocking the access panel or pull-down ladder
  
• Crawl space (if applicable) access is clear
  
• Electrical panels are accessible and not locked
  
• Water heater is accessible
  
• Furnace is accessible
  
• Cooling system is accessible
  
• Built-in kitchen appliances are accessible and ready to operate
  
• Pets are secure
  

Spending a couple hundred dollars on the inspection, can potentially save you thousands of dollars.

When Home Inspection is Done by an Incompetent Inspector

Every homebuyer expects a home inspector to conduct the home inspection thoroughly and professionally. But as shown in many cases of failed home inspections, there are house inspectors who are not able to carry out what they are hired to do.
So when it is time for you to conduct a house inspection, either as a seller or a buyer, choose your home inspector wisely. Ask for referrals from your network and make sure you are hiring someone who is licensed in your state and who is a member of a reputable home inspection association.
In a case of home inspection gone wrong in Wakefield, Virginia, the home buyers claimed that they hired a house inspector belonging to a house inspection company known to charge higher fees because of its reputation.
The Bennetts were ecstatic when a house they found in Wakefield was found to be without major defects. They paid the house for $130,000 through a home loan and then happily moved into the house together with their two children.
But just three weeks later, rainwater leaked through the foundation and flooded the basement. When they investigated further, they found they could easily pull off the outer siding, discovering water damage and lots of mold. When they examined the insulation in the basement, they discovered rotting boards and more mold.
When the town health officer and building inspector checked the house, they found too many health hazards and structural defects that they had to condemn the house. A mold test showed that several kinds of mold have been growing on the exterior walls, on the roof and in the basement.
The Bennetts are devastated and are at a loss why the home inspector they hired did not see the mold and the structural defects.
They said they saved for three years for a down payment and to build a good credit record to qualify for a home loan.
The Bennetts are planning to sue the home inspection company and the former owners of the house. Meanwhile, they do not know yet where to go.
The case of the Bennetts illustrates the importance of spending effort and time to choose qualified home inspectors. Professional and thorough home inspection should be at the top of home buyers’ priorities as this determines whether a house purchased becomes a dwelling or a nightmare for the family.