What And Where: Understanding The Process Of A Home Inspection

It’s no secret that there’s a substantial amount of money that can be made when it comes to flipping houses. Yes, some may be self-destructive money pits, but most are well-established homes that can be flipped for a lucrative profit. While the prospect of flipping one’s home for a profit may sound enticing, it’s actually a painstakingly long process that requires a lot of work and a lot of patience. 

 

One of the necessary components in flipping a home is the purchase of a home inspection. Just as its name suggests, a home inspection is simply just an in-depth inspection of one’s property. This allows for any problems or issues the house may have to be properly examined and fixed. But what actually goes into the process of a home inspection? 

 

Back To The Basics: What To Expect From A Home Inspection 

There are many components that come with a home inspection. Professionals are careful to pay attention to things such as a home’s heating system or central air conditioning system. While the inspector won’t tear apart your home, it’s important to give them as much room and space to work with in order to get a more in-depth report on the ins and outs of your home. Think of your home inspector as a doctor for your house. 

These inspections usually last around three or four hours, and it is absolutely crucial that you attend the inspection so you can get a better understanding of your home. During these inspections, the inspector will take into account a multitude of factors, such as the viability of the home’s walls, roof, and even floors. This allows for a more thorough inspection and a more conclusive report. 

 

Batteries Not Included: What All Comes With A Home Inspection 

A home inspection is an in-depth process that includes many moving pieces. During a normal home inspection, the inspector will analyze both the home’s interior and exterior, drawing conclusions on multiple factors such as water damage, structural issues, and even piping and plumbing. While there are multiple aspects that a home inspector takes into account, they do not examine any cosmetics of the home unless they find it to be a safety hazard. For example, inspectors will report on cracks or water stains but won’t report something such as paint peeling. 

 

Ultimately, a home inspection evaluates the safety of the home while also determining the home’s worth and overall value. Through this simple yet demanding process, the homeowner is able to truly understand the worth of the home they are planning to sell. 

 

Under The Magnifying Glass: What To Look For During A Home Inspection

A home inspection is an incredibly important part of flipping a home, so it’s absolutely crucial that you are completely hands-on when it comes to your home inspection. By being present for your home inspection, you are allowing yourself to see firsthand everything you need to fix or change in order to sell your home successfully. You will also be given a chance to ask any questions or raise any concerns to the inspector. This will give you a better understanding of what you need to fix about your home.

Read more

Home Inspection Tips for Sellers

When it comes to selling your home one of the last major hurdles is the home inspection. Once you have an interested buyer, they will have a home inspector come take a look at the property. 

A basic home inspection includes an evaluation of 10 different areas of the home: structure, exterior, roofing system, plumbing system including the water heater, electrical system, heating system, air conditioning system (HVAC system), interior, insulation and ventilation, and fireplaces.

This process can be a little daunting for the homeowner so here are a few tips to make sure you are prepared and ensure the process moves smoothly.

 

Step One:

Prepare the interior of your home. The home inspector will check everything inside your home. Ensure that the home inspector can access everything in your home. Check to see if there are any large pieces of furniture, boxes or other clutter blocking access to things like the water heater. Inspect your light bulbs make sure none of them have gone out. Make sure your smoke detectors are working properly. Plug in all of your appliances. Make sure your HVAC filter has been recently replaced. Check for leaky or dripping faucets. It’s also helpful to do a general cleaning of your home, dust surfaces, vacuum the floors and put away any extraneous clutter. 

 

Step Two:

Go ahead and check the gutters and the roof before the inspector comes. It’s a good idea to clean debris from gutters and check for any roof damage. Make sure to fix things you may have temporarily repaired and check for any obvious, visible damage. It’s also a good idea to do a general walkthrough of your home to spot any water damage.

 

Step Three: 

Prepare the exterior of your home for the inspector. Make sure there is around a foot of clearance between the siding and shrubs, bushes, or vegetation. Visually inspect your home’s siding and trim and repair any damage you spot. Check the operation of any exterior doors, locks and deadbolts and double check that your garage is functioning as normal. If there are any holes or gaps on the exterior have them fixed. Also check for any exposed nails or other exterior hardware. Remove any stored items that are kept against the side of the house, as with the interior, make sure the home inspector will be able to access and inspect everything they need to. 

 

Step Four:

Be on time. The inspector will be there on time and so should you. It’s best to not create any delays because you aren’t prepared for their arrival. Also, don’t stick around. The homeowner should not be present during the inspection. It’s best if you leave the potential buyer and inspector to themselves so that they are able to point out potential defects and the buyer can ask any questions. Also be sure to bring your furry friends with you so they aren’t in the way!

 

With these tips you can make your home selling process move smoothly! The inspection can be a nerve-wracking time, but if you know what to expect, and take these tips to heart it will help put you at ease. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and be sure to make the process easy for everyone involved!

Read more