Home Inspection Garden Nursery Landscaping Guide
Home Inspection Before The Final Purchase
By James R Blunt
It may seem silly to hire a professional to perform a home inspection
on a brand new house that has never been lived in before. However,
one vigilant inspector found numerous problems on one recent inspection.
Shingles were lifting with nails sticking out, which is something
that would have cost the home owner an additional $3,000 to $10,000
over the next year.
Imagine how much gaps around windows and doors, and poor attic
insulation can cost a homeowner in heating and cooling prices
alone! Not to mention that these gaps can also expose the home
to the elements, as rain, snow and sun will penetrate the open
spaces.
Broken Tiles And Water Pools
In this particular instance, floor tiles were broken, water was
pooled in the basement, condensation appeared near the furnace,
electrical wires were resting on heating ducts and there was a
huge hole bashed into the basement wall. It seems that even new
homes are subject to their fair share of problems.
There are several professional home inspection options. Most
people like to review their options and get a pre-purchase inspection,
which will reveal structural weaknesses, repairs and a detailed
assessment of the home’s condition.
Before Making The Final Purchase
This event takes place after financing is approved, after a bid
is placed and after most paperwork is signed, but before the final
purchase is made. Once the home inspection services are completed,
you may then sign the final paperwork, make an adjusted (lower)
bid, or decline the housing offer altogether.
Before selecting a company to provide a home inspection, be sure
to ask for credentials and certification. There are three major
associations offering certification in the United States, which
are the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) based out of
Illinois, the Housing Inspection Federation (HIF) from Arizona,
the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI)
from Colorado, or the National Association of Home Inspectors
based in Minnesota.
Maintaining Your Membership
The toughest requirements are with the ASHI, which require at
least 250 paid hours of inspections, passage of two written exams
and 40 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain
membership. By comparison, HIF asks inspector prospects to fill
out an application and pay $165. NACHI requires inspector hopefuls
to pass a series of online exams with 80% or higher results, and
perform 24 hours of continuing education each year to maintain
membership.
NAHI has very slim requirements; in fact, all you have to do
is send in a copy of an inspection you did for a friend or family
member, pay your dues and you are in! As you can see, there is
a wide range of qualifications within home inspection services
industry.
Generally, a home inspection covers structural elements like
wall construction, ceilings, floors, roofing and the foundation.
Any damage in these areas is likely a deal breaker! The inspectors
also take a look at the exterior wall coverings, landscaping,
elevation, drainage, driveways, fences, sidewalks, fascia, trim,
doors, windows and lights.
Evaluate The Frame And More
They will evaluate the frame, ventilation, flashing and gutters
around the roof and attic area. They will inspect toilets, showers,
sinks, faucets, pipes and water drainage systems associated with
the plumbing. The heating ducts, air conditioning, fireplace,
chimney, sprinklers, furnace and water heater will also be the
focus of close scrutiny, as will the electrical work, such as
main panels, circuit breakers, wiring, grounding, exhaust fans,
ceiling fans, outlets and light fixtures.
Appliances like dishwashers, ovens, microwaves, garbage disposals
and smoke detectors will be checked for safety. The garage will
also be part of a typical inspection.
About the Author:
James R Blunt has written a number of articles on real estate, house plans,
architecture and home improvement including
Bathroom Tile Designs,
Interior Design,
Traditional House Plans,
Design Development,
Architectural Services,
Architecture.
Keep a lookout for more of his articles on this website.
Little Known Home Inspection Facts....
Buying a new home is a great feeling. You have scoured the real
estate pages and have toured several homes just looking for that
perfect abode. Once you have found it, your work does not end
there.
You still have to deal with the paperwork and requirements set
forth by the mortgage company. There are so many little details
to handle that it can be easy to overlook one very important thing...you
need a home inspection performed.
If you know someone who performs inspections, they can tell
you what is potentially wrong with your deal.
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