Uncategorized (Page 6)

28Apr
Common Problems Found In Home Inspections

Common Problems Found In Home Inspections

The odds are your home isn’t perfect. But don’t worry, no home is. From roof damage to faulty wiring, there is a wide range of problems that a house runs into during its foundation. These problems were okay and manageable when it was just you and your family living in your home. But now you’ve planned to sell your home, and the time has come to fix all of these issues finally. Well, luckily for you, this is where a home inspection comes in to save the day. 

A home inspection is just as it sounds: an inspection of your home. It’s where an inspector will come through and do a thorough search through your home to look for any problems that may be affecting the foundation of the house. This can include roof damage, faulty wiring, plumbing issues, and even the discovery of mold. A home inspection is a great way to determine the value of your home before you put it on the market. But what are some of the more common issues that are found in a home inspection? Keep reading, and you may just find out. 

Heating And Cooling System Problems 

Nobody likes to be too hot. And nobody likes to be freezing cold. It’s that perfect in-between that hits the sweet spot. This is why a home’s heating and cooling system is one of the most critical components. Whether it be too hot or too cold, the one thing that is certain is that it is completely miserable when this system is malfunctioning. This is why checking the heating and cooling system is a top priority when it comes to a home inspection. Not only does it make the house painful to stand in, but it can also be a pretty penny to fix this system. When it comes to selling your home, it is crucial that you make sure your home’s heating and cooling system is working perfectly. 

Plumbing Issues 

Plumbing and water issues are some of the most prominent problems that home inspectors encounter whenever inspecting a home. From water stains on the ceilings to leaky pipes, plumbing problems can diminish the value of a home drastically. This is why it is usually a good idea to hire a plumber to check out your plumbing system even before moving forward with a home inspection. Making sure that all of your plumbing problems are fixed may be expensive, but it is more than worth it in the long run when it comes to selling your house to prospective buyers. 

Faulty Wiring 

Probably the most critical issue on t his entire list. Faulty wiring can be incredibly dangerous when not handled correctly. Most electrical systems become extremely worn and outdated that they begin to malfunction after several years. This can lead to a spike in your electrical bill or something much more drastic like electrocution. Like your plumbing problems, it’s a smart idea to hire an electrician to fix your wiring before even hiring a home inspector or putting your home for sale on the market. 

 

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14Apr
Why You Should Be There For A Home Inspection (As A Buyer)

Why You Should Be There For A Home Inspection (As A Buyer)

You’ve decided to buy a house. You’ve done your research, found the perfect suburb, the perfect neighbors, the perfect home. Everything is going just as you’ve dreamed. Now the only thing left is to get one of those pesky home inspections. No matter what kind of home you’re buying, whether it be a starter home or just a home to flip, a home inspection is absolutely essential. 

For those of you that don’t know, a home inspection is just as it sounds: an inspection of ones’ home. This is when a home inspector will come to a house and inspect every square foot of it. This inspection includes, but not limited to, looking out for mold, lead paint, breaks in the foundation or roof, and so much more. A home inspection is so necessary because it tells you what exactly you’re getting into before you make the final purchase of your prospective home. So with something as important as this, wouldn’t you want to be there to see it done yourself? Of course, you would! This is why you should be at the home inspection if you are a potential home buyer. 

To Ask Specific Questions 

Nobody has the answer to everything. It’s only human nature to want and need to ask questions. This is especially important when it comes to a home inspection. Even if you get on their nerves, you want to ask your home inspectors as many questions as you can. That way, you will have the knowledge to know how to fix specific problems or make certain changes when it comes time to buy your home. It’s also a good idea to carry a notebook with you during the inspection to take your own notes of what you notice is right and wrong with the home. This way, you won’t forget anything when the time comes to find a solution for a particular problem that was noted during the inspection. 

Negotiate Price 

Everyone likes a good deal. It’s only human nature to want to get the biggest bang out of your buck. And home inspections are the perfect negotiating tool when it comes to buying a house. With every problem and issue the home inspector finds with your prospective house, you will be able to use these issues as leverage when it comes to negotiating price and terms with the realtors. You could even arrange to have the homeowner fix specific problems found in the home inspection. 

Keep The Home Inspection Honest 

We’re not saying home inspectors lie or cheat during the inspection. Just sometimes, things are missed or overlooked during an inspection. This is why it’s so vital for you, the buyer, to be present during the inspection. You will have the opportunity to pick up on the issues or problems initially missed by the inspector while ensuring that they are doing their job and doing it well. While it can be a hassle to go through such a tedious process as a home inspection, it’s well worth it in the long run. 

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31Mar
How A Home Inspection Can Affect The Sale Of Your Home

How A Home Inspection Can Affect The Sale Of Your Home

So you’ve decided to sell your home. You’ve found the perfect realtor. You’ve done your research on the next home you wish to purchase. You’ve even broken the news to your little rugrats. First thing’s first, congratulations are in order. Take this time to give yourself a big pat on the back. Okay, are you done? Yeah? Good, now it’s time to get to the hard stuff. 

You should know that there is a lot that goes behind selling a house. From packing to moving and purchasing to remodeling, it can sometimes get a little out of hand. And to make matters worse, there’s one thing that everyone seems to forget before putting their house on the market. A home inspection is a good idea whether you are buying a home or selling one. Usually, a home inspection is a good way of showing a home’s value and whether or not a sale will go over smoothly. Here is how a home inspection can affect the sale of your house. 

What A Home Inspection Is 

The whole point of a home inspection is to determine the overall value of a home’s worth. As the name would suggest, a home inspection is an inspection of ones’ home that goes into an in-depth examination of every feature. A home inspection can analyze the strength of a home’s roof, the safety of the paint, and even if the house has mold or pesky critters. No matter how big or how small the problem is, home inspections will analyze every square foot of your home, so it is in the best shape to be sold. It’s usually best to set out to fix all the issues a home inspection points out before you put your home on the market. 

Home Buyers 

It’s not unusual for a home buyer to want a home inspection before signing a contract to purchase a home. This way, they can be sure what it is they are buying. It’s important to know that no home is perfect and that defects and errors will be found in every home inspection. It’s how significant these defects are that will make a huge difference. Minor, insignificant errors such as a broken switch light or downspouts may not drive away any prospective buyers. It’s the more significant, glaring issues such as roofing damage or leaking pipes that will destroy a future deal. 

Home Sellers 

Home inspections can affect home sellers as well. As we said above, the result of a home inspection has a tremendous impact on the sale of a home. You wouldn’t want to buy a home that came with a lot of things to fix or change, would you? Of course not! So why would you expect someone to buy your house if it’s run-down? A home inspection is a significant first step in seeing what you need to fix about your home before you put it on the market. This will show you how much of a profit you’ll be able to make off your home and if it is worth selling in the first place. 

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17Mar
Ways You Can Fail Your Home Inspection

Ways You Can Fail Your Home Inspection

Nobody likes the feeling of failing. Whether it’s making an F on that math final you studied so hard for or finding ourselves behind bars when we’ve failed a sobriety test, no one likes to fail or the feeling that comes along with it. This same principle can be applied when it comes to your home inspections. A home inspection is usually an in-depth examination of ones’ home to critique and analyze the structure and foundation of said home. This is generally done to determine the actual value of the house in order to get an estimate of what it should be sold for. The inspection is usually limited and minimal and always non-invasive when it comes to respecting the homeowners. 

While this may sound like a simple process, there is an assortment of ways that a home can fail a home inspection. From lead paint on the walls and radon to failing heat systems to structural damage, almost anything and everything can lead to the failure of a home inspection. Here are a few prominent things that can fail your home inspection. 

Plumbing Problems

No one likes to think about what goes on in the confines of their own bathroom, much less if they have to fix any problems. Plumbing problems have been proven to be one of the number causes of failing a home inspection. From damaged water heats and malfunctioning pipes and backed-up sewage pipes and damaged toilets, every plumbing issue can ruin a passing home inspection and are incredibly costly to repair. In order to prepare for your home inspection, it may be a good idea to upgrade your plumbing system to a more modern and contemporary system. This will eliminate any reasons for your plumbing system to fail the home inspection. 

Pesky Pests 

Every home has them, yet no one likes to admit it. The little critters that run up and down within the walls. Whether it be a small family of mice or an infestation of leeches (both literal and figurative), pests can become a huge problem when it comes to your grade on your home inspection. And in some instances, such as termites, the foundation of your home may be at stake when it comes to taking care of these pesky critters. Before your home inspection, it is a great idea to hire a local exterminator to look at your home’s infrastructure to determine if you have a pest problem. If there is a problem at hand, then the exterminator should be able to take care of it at an affordable and reasonable fee. 

Faulty Wiring 

Safety is everything, especially when it comes to protecting the ones you love. Damaged electrical wiring such as damaged receptacles and missing junction boxes will not only increase your electricity bill but could put your family’s safety in jeopardy as well. One of the primary things a home inspector takes into consideration is the electrical wiring of the home. A clever way to take care of problems such as faulty wiring and damaged receptacles is to hire a licensed electrician to take a look at your home’s infrastructure. They will be able to determine the problem and figure out the solution to solve it. 

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03Mar
Commonly Missed Items In An Home Inspection

Commonly Missed Items In An Home Inspection

Everyone wants to get the most out of their money. It’s only human nature to want to get the biggest bang out of your buck with your hard-earned money. This is why we storm the Walmarts and Targets of the world on Black Friday just to get the best deal. Or why we make sure to talk to the manager whenever something is on clearance when as it was initially advertised. We use this principle in everything we purchase: groceries, toys, entertainment, etc. But the one thing we never think to analyze is our home inspection. Why? Because we’re too trustworthy! 

While home inspectors are trained masters of their craft, they are also only human. They’re just like the rest of us. They make mistakes. They fall down. And, believe it or not, they sometimes miss a few essential details. Yes, even in their jobs. This is why it is absolutely crucial that you go through your home inspection thoroughly with your home inspector. It is the only way you will be able to make sure that everything is spotted and taken care of. Here are a few commonly missed items in home inspections. 

Those Pesky Pests 

Nobody likes to think of the creatures that live within their home. Well, unless they’re those precious fluffy pets of ours’. No, we’re talking about the critters that get in your walls and crawl spaces. The ones that make our skin crawl and quiver. Even as clean as we keep our house (or as we would hope to), these pests somehow get in no matter what we do. This is why we expect our home inspection to discover these pesky pests and advise us on how to get rid of them. But sometimes, like with most jobs, not everything goes according to plan. This misjudgment can happen due to an assortment of ways. Sometimes, particularly in the winter, there is no concrete evidence of pests even though they are still there. Other times you will get a home inspector that doesn’t specialize in pest control, so they have no way of knowing what to look for. No matter what the case may be, it’s essential to do your own research so you can keep an out for any evidence or showings of pests.

The Danger Of Lead Paint 

Sometimes deemed as the “silent killer,” lead paint can lead to severe and sometimes lethal side effects such as lead poisoning, anemia, and even learning disabilities within younger children. While infants and children are at the highest risk, lead paint can also lead to serious side effects in adults as well. This is why it’s so important to have the painted walls of your home checked for lead. Sometimes this crucial check-off can be missed entirely within a home inspection due to the fact that most home inspectors do not take lead samples from the walls in the home. If you have a serious concern about lead paint within your home, it is imperative that you go out and buy a kit to test the paint. It’s essential to keep in mind that if there are several layers of paint, you MUST test each layer to get an honest reading of your house’s lead. 

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17Feb
Testing Your Home For Mold

Testing Your Home For Mold

No one likes to think of the greasy and decaying mold that infects the confines of their family home. But even as much as we would like to believe it would, our thoughts and imagination won’t keep out the horrors of the outside, especially when it comes to mold. 

While it’s far exciting, testing your home for mold is one of the most important things a homeowner can do when ensuring their house’s security. There is a multitude of consequences that a mold problem could lead to. This can include damage to a home’s foundation, infection of a home’s water supply, and even dangerous health deficiencies. To avoid any of these repercussions, you must check your house for mold frequently and regularly. 

Keeping Your Family Safe And Healthy 

It’s only human nature to want to keep our family safe from any harm or danger. But sometimes, we fail to realize that the risk can be lurking in the outlines of our own homes. From radon to leaking ceilings, your home needs the same care and attention as your car would. But instead of taking your home into the shop, you would get an expert to inspect it. This is why a check for mold is one of the first steps you should take when it comes to making sure your home is safe and clean. 

Infection of mold can result in numerous health defects, especially those with severe allergies and asthma. Some people are more sensitive to mold than others. For these people, a variety of side effects could happen, such as runny noses, red and itchy eyes, and even struggling to catch your breath. While these side effects may not seem as dangerous as one would think, they can quickly develop into something more severe if not deadly if left unattended. 

Selling Your Home Without Mold 

Nobody wants to buy a dirty home. So why would you expect them to buy a home infested with mold? The first thing that will turn a prospective buyer away from your home is the spot of mold. You wouldn’t buy water if there were a bit of brown at the bottom, would you? This is why it is essential to have a mold inspection before putting your home on the market. This way, you could avoid any unnecessary conflict in the future. 

Keeping Mold Away To Pass Your Home Inspection

The first thing a home inspector is going to look for is mold. While it may not be an automatic failing grade, it surely won’t push your home towards a passing grade. Contrary to popular belief, a mold inspection is strictly a visual examination. There’s no special equipment or fancy tools involved when it comes to looking for mold. 

A mold inspection will occur most of the time in either the attic or the basement of a home. Because mold is a fungus, it is attracted to moist and wet areas. So mold usually thrives when a basement floods or a roof begins to leak from heavy rainfall. But just because mold usually infects these two areas doesn’t mean it can’t occur in other parts of your house. Say a pipe bursts all over your kitchen. Mold could quickly spread throughout your cabinets and even across the floor. 

 

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03Feb
Appraisal Vs. Home Inspection

Appraisal Vs. Home Inspection

When it comes to most prospective homeowners, it’s easy to become confused between what an appraisal is and what a home inspection is. While on the outside, the two may share many similarities, they are vastly different when it comes to their purpose, execution, and even outcome. Like every other aspect of buying a home, it’s always a good idea to do your research before taking any first steps. This includes researching the difference between an appraisal and a home inspection and if you need either one. Now, this may sound like a lot of work, but luckily for you, you have us. 

What An Appraisal Is

While an appraisal may seem similar to a home inspection, the two couldn’t be more different. One of the major differences between an appraisal and a home inspection is the fact that most mortgage loans require an appraisal before moving forward with the signing. 

Appraisals are usually known to be more laid back and lenient than a home inspection, offering a casual process that includes an appraiser walking through a home to spot any prominent or glaring issues with the house in question. Things appraisers look for can include but are not limited to the foundation of the home, any damage to the walls or roof, and even the location of the home to determine the overall worth of that home. It’s important to keep in mind that appraisals are required when it comes to purchasing a home where home inspections are not. 

What A Home Inspection Is 

Contrary to an appraisal, a home inspection is a thorough walkthrough of one’s entire home. These inspections occur to determine the overall value of a house after it has been lived in. A home inspector will be on the lookout for any glaring red flags. These inspectors are on the lookout for any damage to the ceiling, gas system, electrical system, and even the plumbing of the home. 

It’s also good to note that if you are present for the inspection, then the home inspector will take you step by step on the process of their inspection. Unlike an appraisal, the homeowner will usually receive a report of how the home inspection went and if there are any current problems or red flags that need to be taken care of in the home. 

The Difference Between An Appraisal And Home Inspection

Most people would be hardpressed to spot the many differences between an appraisal and a home inspection. From why they are required to the specific processes each takes, there is an assortment of differences between them. A major difference between the two is that a homeowner is usually encouraged to go through a home inspection with the home inspector. In contrast, an appraiser usually conducts the appraisal on their own. A home inspection differs as it is an in-depth examination of your home’s condition. This can include any damage to the roof, walls, and even the electrical system. On the other side, an appraisal is a process that determines the market value of one’s home. This is usually required whenever one goes out for a mortgage loan. Aspects that are taken into consideration during an appraisal can include location, the home’s condition, and even the value of similar houses.

 

 

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29Dec
That Was My Bad: Common Mistakes Buyers Make 

That Was My Bad: Common Mistakes Buyers Make 

We all make mistakes. Whether it be something as minuscule as picking up the wrong type of ketchup to something as massive as putting in the wrong coordinates for a nuclear missile. No matter how big it is, it’s only human nature to make a mistake from time to time. But some mistakes cost more than others, and when it comes to home inspections, mistakes can cost you a fortune. 

 

It’s no secret that housing is a lucrative and necessary business, especially when it comes to flipping a house. While it can be easy to make a profit when it comes to purchasing a home, there is an assortment of moving pieces that need to be taken care of before you even see the check. One of these necessities comes in the form of a home inspection. What may seem like a simple inspection from the outside is actually a pretty in-depth and sometimes convoluted process. This makes it incredibly important to pay attention and be careful whenever paying for a home inspection. Here a few prominent mistakes that most homebuyers make when getting a home inspection. 

 

Avoiding The Problem: Not Having A Home Inspection 

Yes, this may be the obvious one, but you would be surprised how many homebuyers skip this step altogether and how much they end up paying for it. Most people even know that they need a home inspection but decide against it just to save a few dollars for their wallet. In the end, it would cost more to skip a home inspection, especially if the home has any glaring or obvious issues with its foundation. This usually results in more money being spent on the home being purchased, thus reducing your overall profits when flipping the home. 

 

Cover Every Expense: Going Cheap For Your Home Inspection 

There are a variety of home inspectors out there looking for work. These inspectors have a wide range of costs. Some can cost up to five-hundred dollars where some can go as low as one-hundred. While everyone likes to save a couple of bucks from their wallet, it is absolutely imperative that you cover every expense when it comes to your home inspection. 

 

When it comes to your home inspection, you want the best possible service. This, unfortunately, results in a higher price. However, this price won’t compare to the amount of money you’ll spend if you get a poor home inspector who doesn’t know what they are doing. It’s better to spend more now and get what you need from your home inspection than to spend a fortune later down the road because you decided to be cheap with the inspection. 

 

Can I Be Included?: Get Involved With The Inspection

Everyone knows that hands-on experience is the best way to learn. This is why it’s important to be about the home inspection to go over any concerns or questions that you home with the inspector. It’s important to know what exactly it is you’re paying for. This will also guide you if any changes or improvements need to be made to the home you are buying. 

 

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16Dec
The Silent Killer: Why You Should Test For Radon

The Silent Killer: Why You Should Test For Radon

When it comes to buying or having a home, everyone always thinks about the positives. They live in this delusional world, looking through rose-colored glasses without ever seeing any of the problems that lay underneath the surface. Everybody loves to imagine their dream house, the home where they’ll raise a family or where they’ll fall in love. This is why no one likes to think about the dangers that can come with buying a home, especially the dangers of radon.

Don’t know exactly what radon is? Don’t worry; you’re far from alone. Radon is a radioactive gas that can lurk in the confines of your own home. This gas can be hazardous and even deadly when it’s not put in check. To make matters even worse, radon has no smell, taste, and even sound, thus making it entirely undetectable to human senses. So how does one know if it’s a problem before it’s too late? You get a radon check, of course.

Better Safe Than Sorry: Keep Your Family’s Safety Number One

As we said before, radon’s danger is a genuine and prominent threat that most homeowners encounter over the course of owning a home. What’s so scary about radon is that it can happen to any home. New or old, big or small, it doesn’t matter; radon doesn’t discriminate. This is why it is absolutely imperative that you are continuously checking your home for high levels of radon.

High radon levels have long-lasting consequences that can leave an individual’s immune system damaged for years to come. When particles of the radon you breathe in get into your lungs, you develop a higher risk of contracting lung cancer. While this may not happen for another few years, the initial cause of this cancer comes from breathing in high levels of radon. The CDC has even concluded that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, only behind cigarette smoking.

 

Making The Grade: Passing Your Home Inspection

No one likes to receive a failing grade. Whether it was a high school English paper or the SATs, failing has never left anyone a good feeling before. The same is no different when failing a home inspection. While a home inspection studies a variety of components within one’s home, radon levels are a prominent aspect that home inspectors look out for in particular.

If a home has high levels of radon, then the odds of passing a home inspection are minimal at best. Because of how dangerous radon can be, measuring a home’s radon levels is one of the most crucial aspects when it comes to a home inspection.

 

Going, Going, Sold!: Selling Your Radon Free Home

Unless you find yourself living in the home of Tony Soprano or the futuristic mansion of The Jetsons, you’ll probably end up selling your first home several years after purchasing it. But you know what you’ll need in order to sell it properly? That’s right, a passing grade on your home inspection.

In order for any potential buyer to be interested in purchasing your home, they have to know that they are not throwing their money into a money pit. This is why a passing grade on your home inspection is an absolute necessity when it comes to selling your home, and you’ll never receive that A until you make sure your radon levels are in check. Nobody in their right mind would ever live in a death trap, so why would they purchase a home with high levels of radon. This is why it’s a good decision to purchase a radon check for your home before you even consider putting it up on the market. It’s the first step of many that you’ll be taking in order to sell that first home of yours’.

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