These are just a few of the most important things to know about during the home buying process. Call us with any questions about
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Whether you are buying a pre-existing home or building new.... It critical that you consider having your home professionally inspected!!  No home is perfect and not even the current owner may know of hidden problems or defects that could devalue your largest investment or cause serious injury to you & your family.   What if you close on your new home only to find that major repairs are needed?   The ideal situation is that the inspector finds no major problems, giving you peace of mind.  A good inspector will educate you on the proper maintenance and upkeep of your home while offering suggestions to make it safer and increase its value.

What is an inspection?

An inspection is a visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a house. If you are thinking of buying a home or condominium, you should have it thoroughly inspected before the final purchase by an experienced and impartial home inspection inspector.

Why do I need an inspection?

The purchase of a home is one of the largest single investments you will make. You should know exactly what to expect -- both indoors and out -- in terms of needed and future repairs and maintenance. A fresh coat of paint could be hiding serious structural problems. Stains on the ceiling may indicate a chronic roof leakage problem or may be simply the result of a single incident. The inspector interprets these and other clues, then presents a professional opinion as to the condition of the property so you can avoid unpleasant surprises afterward. Of course, an inspection will also point out the positive aspects of the home, as well as the type of maintenance needed to keep it in good shape. After the inspection, you will have a much clearer understanding of the property you are about to purchase, and be able to make your decision confidently.

As a seller, if you have owned the home for a period of time, an inspection can identify potential problems in the sale of your home, and can recommend preventive measures that might avoid future expensive repairs. A pre-sale inspection can be a valuable marketing tool and can help you determine a proper listing and sale price. Finding problems ahead of time can allow you to make repairs before receiving an offer thus avoiding unwanted negotiation. Also, major repairs found during the buyer's inspection may cause them to get a "bad feeling" about the house and back out of the sale even if the repairs will be made.

What does an inspection include?

A complete inspection includes a visual examination of the home from top to bottom. The Inspector evaluates and reports the condition of the structure, roof, foundation, drainage, heating system, central air-conditioning system, visual interior plumbing, and electrical systems, visual insulation, walls, windows, and doors. Only those items that are visible and accessible by normal means are included in the report. Inspections are largely comparative in that they compare your home to the homes similar to yours in age and construction to determine their condition. Items that are not working, defective or at the end of their usable life are also evaluated.

When do I request an Inspection?

The best time to consult the inspector is right after you've made an offer on your new home. The real estate contract usually allows for a grace period to inspect the building. Ask your Real Estate Professional to include this inspection clause in the contract, making your purchase obligation contingent upon the finding of a professional inspection.

I am buying a new home, do I need an inspection?

Most definitely! New homes should always be inspected. Ideally the inspector should visit the home during all phases of construction or about 5-6 times. This is so problems can be corrected as it is built, if there is a foundation defect there is not much you can do after the framing starts and if there is a framing, plumbing, electrical or heating problem, it will be virtually undetectable after the drywall is installed (at least until the problem becomes larger which could be years). That is why you cannot depend on a warranty. If you do not know the problems are there how can you get the builder to repair them? What about county inspectors? Unfortunately with the volume of homes being built the county inspection is often just a rubber stamp, barring any thing falling off the house. The builder and site forman, despite their best efforts, do not have time to look over every detail of the home. The contractors often let areas they are aware of go unrepaired

WARNING! If you are buying a new home, your rights to an inspection, its scope and your choice of inspector may be severely limited by the language in the builder's contract. Review all new construction contracts carefully!

Can a building "fail" an Inspection?

No. A professional inspection is simply an examination into the current condition of your prospective real estate purchase. It is not an appraisal of a Municipal Code inspection. An Inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a building, but will simply describe its condition and indicate which items will be in need of minor or major repairs or replacement. If it is a new home, code violations should be sited. To actually fail or pass code is something the county or city inspectors must do.

What if the report reveals problems?

If the inspector finds problems in a home, it does not necessarily mean you shouldn't buy it, only that you will know in advance  what type of repairs to anticipate. A seller may be willing to make repairs because of significant problems discovered by the Inspector.

If the report is favorable, did I really need an inspection?

Definitely! Now you can complete your purchase with peace of mind about the condition of the property and its equipment and systems. You may have learned a few things about your property from the inspection report, and will want to keep that information for future reference. Above all, you can rest assured that you are making a well informed purchase decision and that you will be able to enjoy or occupy your new home.

Should I attend the inspection?

It is a good idea. By following the inspector through the inspection, observing and asking questions, you will learn about the new building and get some tips on general maintenance — information that will be of great help to you long after you've moved into your new home.