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Does your firm offer
a written guarantee on the inspection?
It's best to hire an
inspection company or professional inspector that offers a formal
written assessment and explanation as what the have found and see.
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How long does the
inspection take, can I accompany the inspector, what type of
equipment do they use and are the updated plus knowledgeable in the
inspection business?
A professional
inspection of the average house takes about two to three hours. Be
skeptical of home inspectors who does not want you to tag
along. Inspectors who invite the home buyer along will often offer
valuable information and good maintenance tips.
Ask about all matters regarding the home that might concern you.
Different buyers have different specific concerns; let your home
inspector know about yours.
Also a good inspector will have the
most updated equipment available to him or her and be proficient in
its use.
-
What type of a report
will I receive and when will I receive it?
There are various types
of reports given by professional inspectors, including typed
narrative (sent to the home buyer within a week) and on the spot
written reports for those who need or want the information as soon
as possible.
Don't accept a verbal report without
a written backup, since you will have no record of the inspector's
findings for future referral.
Home Inspectors should use a format,
which is filled out on the spot and is presented to the client at
the time of the inspection plus, they should explain it.
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Is the inspector
trained or certified in home inspection by a recognizable
organization, such as the National Institute of Building Inspectors
(NIBI), or the American Home Inspectors Institute (AHII), or the
American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), or the National
Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI)?
With no official government
regulation of the home inspection industry, certification by one of
these organizations ensures that the inspector meets strict
guidelines set forth by the largest and most reputable home
inspection organizations in the country.
P.S.
Ask several questions to your home inspector
but remember to limit them to those he can answer. Stick to
questions that have to do with the condition of the house; refrain
from asking questions about the price or whether you should buy the
property or not. A professional home inspector can only help you
understand the condition of the property at that moment.
Things to be aware of when Inspecting a Home
Looking for the right
house, condominium, or other type of residential property can be a
difficult process for those who are not experienced in the many
technical aspects involved. Most purchasers have to make a number of
decisions, which are both emotional and technical in nature; and the
best and easiest way to complete a successful purchase is with the
help of a Realtor who has the training, experience and
knowledge
that is necessary.
There are many things
for prospective purchasers to observe and consider when looking at
properties.
Things to consider - In the Home's Exterior
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Siding: Look for cracks, loose pieces, lifting, or warping.
-
Paint: Look for peeling, chipping, blistering, stains, and any
indication of damage.
-
Foundation and exterior surfaces: Check for cracks and holes,
areas not level or uneven, loose or missing stucco or mortar.
-
Porch or entrance area: Examine steps, handrails, posts, and
look for loose or unsafe features.
-
Roof: Look for worn or bald spots, any missing shingles or
tiles; determine age.
-
Chimney: Look for tilting, cracks, and any missing bricks or
mortar.
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Gutters and downspouts: Check for signs of leaks, rusting, and
condition of joints.
-
Windows and screens: Look for broken glass or screens, crank
handles, if any; check for proper caulking.
-
Walls and fences: Look for holes and any missing fencing or rotted
posts. -
Driveways and sidewalks: Check surface condition and look for
holes or cracks; check for levelness.
-
Proper drainage: Water from rain should flow away from
property.
-
Lot and landscaping: Check condition of grass, shrubbery,
plants, and trees. Check root condition of especially large
trees close to any buildings.
Click Here - Information on the
Exterior of the Property!
Things to consider - In
the Home's Interior
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General plan: The traffic pattern and layout of rooms is important.
Observe the general condition with respect to maintenance and
repair.
-
Living/dining/family room areas: Size and design should be large
enough for particular requirements and conveniently located.
Any fireplace should have a damper that works and a clean chimney.
-
Bedrooms: Number should be adequate for present and future uses,
with each having an outside window, proper closet space, and entry
off a hallway.
-
Bathrooms: An adequate number of bathrooms is very important and
every floor should have a bathroom facility. Check for cracks in
tiles, signs of leaks, how long it takes to get hot water, and
proper ventilation.
-
Kitchen: Check appliances such as stove, refrigerator, disposal,
dishwasher, and microwave for age, and inquire about present age,
condition, and any warranties in effect. Check amount of shelf
and counter space, electrical outlets, and storage areas.
If a separate breakfast room is not available, there should be
adequate space for a kitchen eating area.
-
Walls and ceilings: Look for major cracks, loose or falling plaster,
and any signs of leaks or stains.
-
Windows and doors: Check to see that windows and doors have adequate
locks and open and close properly.
-
Floors: Walk and jump lightly on floors to determine any movement;
check for levelness or bowing.
-
Stairs: Check for any loose treads or handrails.
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Basement: If applicable, basement area should be checked for signs
of water leaking, dampness, flooding, dry rot, termites, and for
adequate lighting.
-
Attic: If applicable, the attic should be checked for signs of leaks
and any rodent or insect infestation, and if insulated, check type
and quantity.
-
Plumbing system: Check type of water pipes and sewer lines, that can
be seen, look for rusting or leaking; turn on faucets to test water
pressure; look for clogged or sluggish drains or dripping faucets.
-
Electrical system: Check load center and observe if there are fuses
or circuit breakers; check age and look for signs of wear or exposed
wires.
-
Heating system: Check the type of heating system such as warm air,
hot water, or electrical, and determine age and condition.
Check for gas leaks and cracked heat exchanger.
-
Water heater: Check for signs of leaking or rusting. Determine
capacity and recovery rate, age, and condition.
-
Air conditioning or cooling system: If applicable, check type of air
conditioning or cooling system, age, condition, freon, and leaks.
Click Here - Information on the
Interior of the Property!
Ten Most - Frequent Problems
Surveys by U.S. home inspectors resulted in a list of the most
frequently found problems in the homes they have inspected:
1.
Improper Surface Grading/Drainage
This was by far the most
frequently found problem, reported by 35.8% of the survey
respondents. It is responsible for the most common of household
maladies: water penetration of the basement or crawl space.
2. Improper Electrical
Wiring
A significant number (19.9%)
chose this item as the most common home defect, which includes
such situations as insufficient electrical service to the house,
inadequate overload protection, and amateur, often dangerous,
wiring connections.
3. Roof Damage
Although reported by only 8.5% of
the respondents as the most common problem, roof leakage, caused
by old or damaged shingles or improper flashing, was considered
by CAHPI members to be a frequent problem.
4. Heating Systems
Problems in this category include
broken or malfunctioning operation controls, blocked chimneys,
and unsafe exhaust disposal.
5. Poor Overall Maintenance
Even the novice home buyer is
usually aware of this situation, demonstrated by such signs as
cracked, peeling, or dirty painted surfaces, crumbling masonry,
makeshift wiring or plumbing, and broken fixtures or appliances.
6. Structurally Related
Problems
Many houses, as a result of
problems in one or more of the other categories, sustain damage
to such structural components as foundation walls, floor joists,
rafters, and window and door headers.
7. Plumbing
Though never ranked by the
respondents as a Number One problem, plumbing defects still rank
high among the house problems encountered, and include the
existence of old or incompatible piping materials, as well as
faulty fixtures and waste lines.
8. Exteriors
Flaws in a home’s exterior,
including windows, doors, and wall surfaces, are responsible for
the discomfort of water and air penetration, but rarely have
structural significance. Inadequate caulking and/or
weather-stripping are the most common culprits.
9. Poor Ventilation
Perhaps due to overly ambitious
efforts to save energy, many home owners have “over-sealed”
their homes, resulting in excessive interior moisture. This can
cause rotting and premature failure of both structural and
non-structural elements.
10.
Miscellaneous
This category includes primarily
interior components, often cosmetic in nature, which were not
found frequently enough to rank individually in our survey.
NOTES:
(a) It is significant that within
this list of ten problem categories, at least four are directly
related to the damaging effects of water. It is apparent,
therefore, that after a home is built (presumably in a
structurally sound manner), keeping water out is the homeowner’s
most important - and continually challenging - objective.
We hope this as been
helpful?
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reserved.
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