by cfbi1 | Oct 14, 2013 | Home Inspection
If you are looking at buying a home in the sun in Florida, it is important that you understand just how crucial it is to get a home inspection before the purchase. Therefore, before you sign on the dotted line, of what you might think is the “perfect” home, take a minute to consider this free advice.
If you are the do-it-yourself type, you might think you can forego a home examination, but when it comes to evaluating a house and the components within and out of a structure, it takes a trained eye with years of experience.
The small cost that amounts from a home review is nothing compared to how much it could cost if you if you choose to decline an accurate account of the true state of a home and any repairs that might cost in the future. The benefits of using a home inspector is that he will go over your home with a fine toothcomb, and consider attending the evaluation, this will give you a much clearer picture of what’s needing done. It will allow you the chance to ask any questions that you may have and get an answer.
When you are buying a home, it’s probably the best time to not cut any corners. This means that selecting the cheapest home inspection services will not do you justice. Everyone loves a bargain, like the next person; however, choosing better value would be the wiser choice in this case. Select a company who can offer professional services, the old saying “better safe than sorry” is a good principle to follow, when making such a big investment.
Don’t let ego get in your way, or think that a family member in the construction industry will be able to spot any trouble; it is highly unlikely that you will find every little issue with the home on your own. Do not skimp on the professional inspection, as two sets of eyes (one of which are professionally trained) is typically a better choice.
by cfbi1 | Oct 11, 2013 | Home Inspection
For the health, safety, and well-being of you and your family it is essential that any potential home or property purchase be checked professionally for traces of Radon. The most troubling thing about radon is it is tasteless, odorless and has no color, making it near impossible to detect and treat without the correct testing.
The effects that radon can have on your health are devastating, here are the facts; radon is the second main cause of lung cancer in the USA, with smoking being the leading cause. Radon gas is created due to breakdown of uranium, which is found in the soil, the natural breakdown process creates a toxic gas that can leak into the home and contaminate the air. It also has the ability to travel through soil and pollute any wells or water cisterns below and/or on ground level around the home.
Generally, you can test for radon, either by using a passive or active gas-testing device. There are many options online in where you can buy a testing kit and set up yourself. The safer, more accurate, and more preferred option is to employ an experienced expert.
Passive testing devices do not require power in order to function, these devices are exposed to the air in your home for specific periods, the devices are then taken down and the results are sent onto a lab, tested, and analyzed for traces of radon.
Active Testing Devices do require electricity or power to function and are used to continuously record levels of radon that are found in the air within the home. This method of testing is far more accurate than passive testing and is more commonly used by trained professionals, including experienced home inspectors.
Don’t take the chance, ensure the safety of your family’s health with a radon specialty inspection.
by cfbi1 | Oct 11, 2013 | Home Inspection
If have been around the property market for a while, meaning you have a bit of experience looking at homes for purchase. You recognize easily that in the home buying process a newly built home can sometimes have just as many faults as a house built in previous years. In some cases, a home inspection is ignored because the buyer thinks the home is brand new and it cannot possibly have any major faults.
By believing all newly constructed homes are defect-free is by far one of the most costly mistakes that you could make. Hiring a home inspection service will help give a clear and accurate idea of the home inside and out. Clearly, a list of all the faults, potential problems is an asset to have in the home buying process.
Therefore, it is beneficial for you, the buyer, to ensure a home inspection is carried out on any pre-purchases or properties you are looking to buy. Buying a home should be one of the happiest times of your life, as with all major decisions that you make there will always be some form of stress involved. Hiring a home inspector can make the process a little less stressful. You will not have to worry about covering the repair or replacement fees of work needed done prior to purchase.
Don’t get caught with unexpected fees that could cripple you financially, ensure that having a home inspection is among the top in the list of priorities. If there are major concerns, and the list of repairs are starting to mount, then your completed home inspection report can be shown to the seller. This gives the seller a couple of options. They can either have the repairs fixed or drop the original asking price, to name a few. You don’t want to cover the costs and be out of pocket on a newer home. Make it an essential priority to get a home inspection first.
by cfbi1 | Oct 9, 2013 | Home Inspection
Home inspections are an essential ingredient of the home buying and selling process. Therefore, it is important the buyer of the home attend the inspection in person, along with the experienced home inspector hired. For those who might not know, there is a difference between the home inspection and the home’s appraisal. Let’s take time to clear this area up and get to the know what those differences are.
A Home Appraisal
It is usually the surveyor performing the appraisal on the home and based on their findings he/she will give an evaluation on the property before an offer is placed. In the appraisal, the surveyor will take into account a number of things including the current condition, the size of the home, proximity to schools, comparable property within a five-mile radius. All these will factor into the value of the property this helps the buyer greatly by allowing a credible purchase offer. An appraisal does not take in any facts on the structure’s integrity; this is where an inspection becomes necessary.
A Home Inspection
After you have made an offer and have a contract, you can look at hiring a qualified home inspection company to carry out the home inspection needed. Home Inspections are not mandatory, and people overlook them sometimes, in the home buying process. They are very beneficial, and worth having done.
All components within the home are checked, electrical wiring is checked for suitability, plumbing and foundation are checked, adequate measures are taken to evaluate that the correct insulation has been put in place, and the home is waterproof. These are only a few areas the home inspector will review.
A home inspection can help negotiate the asking price on that home, and in some cases, the contract agrees to allow the buyer to walk away from the home, if the costs of repairs and replacements are exceedingly high.
Having a home inspection is the difference to you enjoying the home of your dreams or waking up in the home of repair nightmares every single day.
by cfbi1 | Oct 7, 2013 | Home Inspection
Many crucial elements need attention, and careful attention at that, when you are looking to buy a home. High on the list of priorities should be a professional home inspection service. This would involve a qualified experienced inspector to evaluate your home on its current condition and highlight any issues that may grow into major problems over the years to come.
An experienced inspector will take his time when looking over your home and give a full detailed accurate report of all his findings, this will play a major part in the buyer signing and negotiating and agreed price on any potential purchase and in some cases allows the buyer to walk away from the home if the issues are excessive in cost.
In most cases, the buyer ought to be the ones to hire the inspector. It is also good to note that the inspector is responsible to the one who pays his wage at the end of the day, make it your duty for him/her to be liable to you and only you.
If you are serious about buying a home, and completing the process successfully, then it is essential a home inspection be included in the overall process. You may know your stuff, and be able to do DIY projects, but it is never a bad idea to get a professional’s advice. When you make the appointment with your home inspector and arrange the day of inspection, request that you attend with them. Take advantage of the time and ask as many questions as you can in order to get the clearest picture on the property you are looking at.
Your home will cost you thousands of dollars, and yes in most cases, there will be repairs needed of some sort and in some manner. Therefore, get a professional home inspection sorted or negotiated before you sign any agreement.
by cfbi1 | Oct 4, 2013 | Home Inspection
When you are looking to buy a home in any state in the USA, it is essential and encouraged the buyer hires the services of a professional home inspector. It is the job of the home inspector to give the buyer an accurate account on the current condition of the house. They provide an outlook of any issues that could become problematic over time. It is best to be aware of any small repairs that if left to their current state may turn into high-cost repairs.
The inspector will check plumbing, heating and ac system, the roof, and the foundation to ensure the safety of the structure. They report on the condition, life expectancy, and an estimate of repair costs. Keep in mind, the finished report by the hired inspector may be extensive, especially if purchasing an older built home.
The purpose of the home inspection is to give the buyer a strong idea of what exactly they are purchasing. It allows the buyer to walk away from the purchase if the contract has an inspection contingency clause. What to consider if the home ends up with repairs and the seller refuses to pay for it—negotiate the price. Purchasing a home warranty is another option available.
Typically, the seller of the home should be doing the construction repairs, as it is their house and they are the ones trying to sell it. Yes, the home should be in a sellable condition, unless the contract is AS-IS. If the buyer has to hand over money for repairs, then the buyer should receive credit at the closing stage of the contract to compensate for the additional costs of repair.
Keep in mind, as the buyer, if you ask the seller to pay for repairs the negotiated price may change and not in your favor. The bottom line is that a home inspection is not for renegotiating purposes. It can be used as an asset towards negotiation, but a home inspection is to bring to light what you are buying and that the structure is safe.
