by cfbi1 | Sep 17, 2013 | Home Inspection
It far too easy to be seduced by the look and appearance when buying your new home, it can have a great look and feel about the place, meaning you can forget about the shabby brick work or the unnatural gurgling coming from the boiler system, in the excitement of purchasing.
Recent research, which has been carried out by the RICS, has revealed some shocking truths many homebuyers don’t know about. A large number of first time homebuyers are unknowingly setting themselves up for thousands of dollars in repair bills. These bills and repairs on their new home might have been avoided, brought to light, if an experienced home inspector viewed pre-purchase.
The buyers due to a general lack of understanding regarding the actual home buying process miss these issues. Many buyers are putting themselves and family at risk because they are not or don’t understand the importance of getting independent expert advice from a qualified home inspection company.
Only a qualified and experienced surveyor can give you an accurate evaluation of the current state of the home and an accurate evaluation of how it will be 5-10 years down the line.
Make sure your new home is not a ticking time bomb
It would be fair to say that young first time buyers would be more at risk when looking to step onto the property ladder; it is a massive investment for anyone involved. It is wise to ensure that you are not putting out all your life savings on a property that could cost you even more in repairs that will leave you close to bankruptcy.
Understanding that serious defects and problems are hard to find and need an experienced trained eye to unearth them is what should push the homebuyer towards getting an evaluation of the property they are looking to purchase. You don’t want to be stuck in a home you can’t live in and a home that is unsellable.
by cfbi1 | Sep 16, 2013 | Home Inspection
In the majority of home buying cases, if there is a lender involved they will require a home inspection. This is part of the process of closing on a new home. The advantage of home inspections is if something comes up at the inspection, the seller will be required to fix it before the sale is completed. (Check the agreement for the inspection clause). As the buyer, you have the right to decide on the home inspection company.
Try to arrive early at the property to be inspected. This allows time for the inspector to get his equipment set up, take a preliminary survey of the interior, and get a picture of the front of the property. The picture will provide reference points of the roof, and exterior, which are essential in the evaluation process.
From the outside of the home, the water meter is checked to determine any leaks from the system or underground. All fences surrounding the property would also be checked, pools, spas, barbecues, ponds, irrigation systems, sheds, patios, plumbing system, outside ac system unit, to name a few.
The structure of the home is reviewed as well, the foundation, walls, windows, doors, the gas meter the main electrical panel, all are assessed.
The inspector will need access to the roof to get an accurate account of its current condition, and determine the need for repairs. Same goes for the attic and crawl spaces all will be included in the evaluation to give a detailed and accurate report of the home’s condition.
In order to give a correct evaluation, we address every component and system that found on the property (not including specialty services: Mold, Radon Testing, Termite, and Thermal Imaging). All key elements, repairs are digitally photographed to complete the report.
by cfbi1 | Sep 11, 2013 | Home Inspection
There is no need to elaborate on just how important and crucial it is to have your potential home checked over by an experienced home inspection company. When the time comes for you to go and view your selected property it is a wise idea to have a ready prepared checklist to take with you. Below is a list with a few pointers on just what you should be looking to include on your own personal checklist.
Roof Condition
Arguably, one of the most important factors that should be high on the list to check is the roof. The roof should show no signs of sagging from end-to-end, but in some cases, the roof can be a victim of neglect. Keep your eyes open for water puddles on flat roofs. The existence of water puddles could mean incorrect drainage is not allowing the puddles to run into the gutter, as they should. Where and if possible, ask for a full history of previous repairs, and if any repairs has been made to the roof.
Wiring Hazards
The condition of the electrical wiring throughout the home must be checked, be on the lookout for any frayed wiring or live exposed wiring. Note: it is best to take an experienced inspector with you, in regards to making sure your safety is not at risk. All electrical outlets must be checked and not overlooked, keep an eye out for breaker boxes, which by law needs correct labeling.
Windows/Doors correctly functioning
You should be checking that all doors and windows work properly. Check all door locks to make certain they work to lock, safely securing the home. The windows need to be free from cracks or broken glass, and check it they open and lock.
Pests
Make sure your home is free from termites, wood boring insects, and carpenter beetles. These pests do a good job of destroying the wood within a structure. Remember to ask for report history on any pest inspection that has been performed.
There are many important factors that need to be checked and that is why it’s important that before you buy any home, you hire the services of a professional home inspection company.
by cfbi1 | Sep 10, 2013 | Home Inspection
It is said to be one of the most expensive, and one of the most important purchases of your lifetime, not your purebred dog, but investing in a home. The thing is with buying a home you do not get a money-back-guarantee, or return policy, like other products.
Once you buy a home and sign the deed, you are on your own and foot the bill of any repairs to keep the property well maintained. It is essential that you know about any potential problems and repairs that need done before officially buying the house.
The best way for you to determine if the home is safe and in proper living conditions is to hire the services of a professional home inspector to survey it. An experienced home inspector will review the house and evaluate it, check all the working and functioning components, how they affect each other, and how much “life” is left in them.
The home inspection evaluation should leave you with a list of repairs that are needing done and highlights areas, which have received repairs in the past. The purpose of a home inspection is to help the buyer understand the true and current condition of the home in question.
A pre-purchase home inspection lasts around 3-4 hours, when done correctly; it might cost anything upwards of $500.00. The cost is dependent on State location, and the home’s square footage. Once the inspection is completed in its entirety, the buyer will be handed a written, detailed report of the essential problems in the home.
An experienced home inspector will not hesitate to answer the difficult questions. One thing to remember is that it’s their job to educate the seller or the homebuyer on the home being sold. A inspection offers peace of mind before the biggest purchase of your life.
by cfbi1 | Sep 9, 2013 | Home Inspection
There are many crucial points and factors before buying your dream home and one of the most important is to have a professional home inspection. The inspection will need a state licensed and experienced examiner, and should include a thorough review for any significant repairs. A report of all issues is handed to the buyer and seller after completion.
The beauty of a home inspection is that it enables the buyer to understand and have a clear picture of any significant work that needs done or any flaws with the house. Any issues or flaws found should be used as negotiating tool to get the asking price reduced and lowered due to the cost of necessary repairs.
It is good practice if you are the buyer of the home that you hire the home inspector that way you know that you hired there services and the evaluation will be impartial and not biased towards you, the buyer, and in favor of the seller. Accurate detailed reports that are true is what you are looking for, making you aware of the full picture and the state of the home’s condition. The report should differentiate between what the major and minor issues.
To put it simply you want the very best home inspection service that you can afford, remember it’s important not to not get impatient at this stage, cutting corners will could cost you thousands of dollars, and a lifetime of endless repairs. All of which, could have been resolved and sorted before purchasing the house.
Do not be caught up by how lovely your home is looking on the outside, it could be held up with blue tack from the inside and ready to fall apart around you and your family.
by cfbi1 | Sep 4, 2013 | Home Inspection
It has recently been found out that most home sales hang in the balance and are either swayed one way or the other by the experience of the home inspector involved in the sale. The National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) have found out that potential home buyers don’t bother to check the credentials of the people they employ to carry out a home inspection on their property.
If you are looking to buy a home, and are in need of a professional qualified home inspection service, then Central Florida Building Inspectors can help. CFBI assist homebuyer’s and homeowner’s all around Florida buy and sell their homes effectively. Enlisting a professional home inspector to evaluate the state of the home, will help pinpoint any issues that need sorted before the home is sold or placed on the market.
To the inexperienced, the exterior of the home might look put-together, but there are situations where the ‘exterior’ is simply covering what is really happening on the inside. That’s why it’s important to have a professional experienced inspector carry out a pre-listing home inspection. They will be able to check all the important factors on the home, from the foundation to the roof, all will be checked to offer assurance that it is in proper safe condition for moving in.
You have the right to know that your home is safe and the foundations are correctly doing their job right. You don’t want to be locking the front door in the morning and coming back to your home being lifted off into the horizon by the latest gust of wind. (Florida is known for its unpredictable weather).
When looking for a professional company to execute the home inspection make sure that they have plenty of experience in the industry and have the credentials to back it up. A home inspection is there for you and is for your benefit, it can save you time and money when carried out appropriately.
