Home inspection checklist

Posted by Administrator
September 26, 2006
 

If you sell or buy a home yourself, you must deal with a home inspector. While a buyer must definitely get the home inspected (this should be done independent of the realtor whose loyalty should always be taken with a grain of salt – you never know who they are really working for and what kind of relationship they have with the inspector), it is not a bad idea for a seller to get the opinion of an inspector to make sure that when the inspection by the buyer does occur, everything comes out OK. By doing so, a seller can not only get the right price for her property, you will increase your credibility in the eyes of the buyer, especially when home prices are under pressure. Michael Del Greco, President of Accurate Inspections has some excellent tips:

    Know your inspector and make sure s/he has the qualifications and experience. Home buyers should ask to see the inspector’s license or ID card issued by ASHI or a reputable home inspector organization. If your inspector can’t find his or hers, it is time to stop the inspection and try again with another company.
    Home inspectors expect questions to be asked during home inspections. If you ask a home inspector a question, hear the answer and nod your head up and down, the home inspector is likely to feel your question was answered. If you do not understand the answer a home inspector gives you, tell the inspector. Good home inspectors like to answer questions and have no problem at all explaining things more than once and in different ways till buyers understand. Remember that they know that their clients are not experts and they are.
    Do not bother asking the inspector if you should buy the home, if the home is right for you, if the price is right, who has to fix what and the like. Home inspectors can answer your questions about most issues, however, these questions are outside of the field of expertise of most home inspectors.
    Feel free to ask the home inspector about the drainage around the exterior of the home, how to help keep your basement dryer, how to prolong the useful life of the roofing and if there are problems with the roofing and or siding. (Related: How to find an honest contractor?)
    While outside, ask the home inspector if there are any signs of improperly abandoned oil tanks; and if there are, the home inspector can advise you and your attorney how to proceed.
    Home inspectors can tell you how many amps the electrical service is, the service voltage, if there is room to expand within the electric panel, if amateurs have caused problems with the wiring and if the wiring appears to be safe. If the home is older, make sure you ask the inspector if aluminium wiring or knob and tube wiring exists. Both are potential fire hazards and may make it difficult to get home owner’s insurance.
    When the home inspector is inspecting the plumbing system, ask if the sewer clean out cap is newer. If it is suspect, problems with the sewer pipe may exist and budget for replacement. Ask the inspector how old the plumbing supply, waste and vent pipes are. If the pipes are old, replacement may be necessary sooner than you would like.
    Heating systems must be inspected and you are entitled to be told how the heating system works. If you do not know the parts on the boiler or furnace now is the time to find out. The better your heating system is the more you will save on energy costs.
    Many buyers have questions to ask home inspectors about the structure of the home. Keep in mind home inspectors can not see into or through walls. Home inspectors can see what they can see and make a few educated guesses. Home inspectors are likely to miss hidden damages from insects, rot, water and construction defects unless obvious symptoms exist. Home inspectors who provide an answer of “I do not know” when asked the question is there hidden damages are not being evasive, they are being honest.
Personal finance

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