Home Inspection Services - How do I choose?:

When you are either buying or selling a house, you will need to have a home inspection done on the house to make sure that nothing is blatantly wrong. You should choose a well recognized home inspection company that can give you lots of references. I was duped into using the home inspector of my realtor and he definitely did a bad job of finding the most basic problems like faucets that didn't work properly, faulty sprinkler system, and bathroom drains that were clogged. Make sure you will get a written home inspection report (not something that is hand written like notes) - you need a proper form/checklist that details everything. Having a 3rd party opinion on the purchase of a home is priceless and something that should never be sacrificed. The home inspector should be a licensed professional engineer, not just a certified home inspector (anyone can claim that). A quality home inspection will take at least 2 hours (up to 4 with larger homes) and you should be present during the inspection. Be sure that the home inspector has the proper equipment to thoroughly test your home (carbon monoxide detector, moisture meter, ladder, flashlight, electrical testers, etc. If you don't see those items, then you can only assume the inspection will be shoddy. Follow the home inspector (something I didn't do and regret) around the house as they go over their checklist sheet and ask questions.

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The plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and electrical systems should be thoroughly tested and evaluated. Also, structural damage can be expensive and is often overlooked in many instances, so make sure the inspector check for wood destroying insects. You can also have optional tests done like underground storage tanks, drinking water for lead, radon gas in the air, and paint for lead. If repairs are needed, then that is what negotiating is for when buying the house. In my case, I was able to get $750 in repairs done before moving in for problems like dry rot, and siding repair. Talk with a few qualified home inspection companies in your area and choose which one seems the best. There is a nationwide directory at Homeinspections-usa.com/ with listings by state and then by city/region. They give you a company description, services offered, license number, service area, inspection cost, inspection time, address, phone number, email, and website URL. The Yellow Pages is another great way to search for local home inspectors in your area. Any concerns that you have about the house should be stated early and often so that you get them taken care of after the home inspection is done. Usually a home seller will have no problem negotiating with you on simple repairs.

Home Inspection Checklist - Home Inspection Report:

The more homes you see, the more confusing it gets, so having a clear cut checklist for each home that you visit is important when making your final decision to actually put an offer on a house. We have found some online checklists that you can print for free (see below):

• Main Page Checklist HERE
• Exterior Checklist HERE
• Interior Checklist HERE
• Kitchen/Bathrooms Checklist HERE
• Attic/Basement Checklist HERE
• Plumbing/Electrical Checklist HERE
• Heating/AC Checklist HERE

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How much does a home inspection cost? Do I need one or can I offer a house warranty?

A home inspection should cost from $200-$500 depending on the size of the house, location, and scope of the inspection to be done. A quality home inspection should take about 4 hours to do (for a 2500 sq foot house). It's a good idea to have a home inspection done whether you are a buyer or seller since legally there is no need to have any issues come up at a later time. Once the home inspection is done and both parties agree to the results, then repairs can take place or a credit can be given to the buyer. Even with a home warranty given from the buyer, I would still want a home inspection done to make sure everything is ok.

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