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 | Aug 30, 2013 | Home Inspection
Before any purchase or attempted purchase on the home you are looking to live in, it would be a sensible option to hire a home inspector to carry out a professional home inspection. It is also recommended that you select and hire your own contractors when looking to have the repairs done that are needed. This would ensure that you were getting a professional job done taking into consideration that some contractors may be looking to cut corners by choosing cheap appliance replacements and less experienced building firms.
It is a good idea to try be present when it is being inspected, this will give you first-hand experience and you can see with your own eyes what is needing done or replaced on the home. It also allows you to ask any questions that you may have regarding the property directly to the home inspector.
It is important to know that every home will need repairs of some sort, even if you are moving into a new building. Many homes usually have minor issues needing fixed. It is also good to have a trustworthy contractor at hand who can give you an accurate and correct figure of the repair costs. Once you have the results of your home inspection, then get in contact with a trusted contractor who will help you differentiate between what are major concerns and what are minor issues.
For anyone looking to purchase a home, a professional inspection is the best way to move forward. Central Florida Building Inspectors understands the needs of the homebuyer and can produce accurate surveys on every home they inspect.
It’s easy to spot the obvious faults, lights not working, air conditioning malfunctioning, but for the issues that only a trained professional can find, you need to call in an experienced home inspection company.
by cfbi1 | Aug 21, 2013 | Home Inspection
For anyone involved in purchasing a home it’s probably one of the biggest single investments that the majority of Americans will ever make in their life. A professional home inspection should cost in the region of just less than a quarter of the purchase price set on the home. When it is carried out correctly, it might unearth a variety of small issues that will allow you to renegotiate the asking price offered on the home.
It can be agreed that a home inspection is a win-win for the homebuyer, for instance if the home inspector evaluates the house in question and finds nothing, or very little wrong with it, then the buyer can proceed ahead feeling confidence about the purchase. If the inspector finds issues within the home or outside the home, then again the buyer has the option to decline moving forward with buying the home, or use it as a negotiating tool to get a reduction on price. Any home improvements due to the cost of the issues need worked out.
by cfbi1 | Jul 25, 2013 | Home Inspection
Some home buyers find the perfect home after days, some after a few months, and a few after years of searching. It is not always about rushing in and signing on the dotted line. Yes, things may seem alright and look great in appearance, but buyers can get into trouble if they go on appearance alone. Trying to save money by not hiring a home inspection team can cost you thousands of dollars and make your dream home quickly become a nightmare.
Reasons Why You Should Hire a Home Inspector
You could have great experience in home improvement and repairs, but sometimes you need an expert’s opinion and evaluation of what needs to be done, and how much you are looking at cost wise for major repairs. Hiring a home inspection company can ensure the more complex hidden issues of a home, highlighting and bringing it to your attention. Electrical issues, plumbing issues the foundation need closely looked at, as well as, the roofing condition. All need correctly assessed by a certified inspector before purchase.
As mentioned above, the home may look like it is in fantastic condition from the outside, but chances that there could be major issues lurking under the surface, not visible to the untrained eye are high, and that’s a chance you can’t afford to ignore. The sensible choice that will help guard your safety is to hire a home inspection team.
Checks for Mold and potential moisture patches need looked at, along with radon testing. Getting an accurate account of what problems there are and any possible pitfalls will help prioritize funds and allow you to budget for any repairs needing sorted now or in the future.
When is the right time for a Home Inspection?
After you have made an offer on the purchase contract, it is a good move, to schedule a home inspection. Do this before the inspection period has ended. Even if you have signed the offer, the benefits from a home inspector mean issues, which could prove too costly are highlighted at time of purchase.
When selecting a home inspection company, it’s important to select the correct company. Choose one who can perform an in-depth inspection with an accurate account of what needs done. Inspections can range anywhere from $300 -$700 or more, and can take anything from 3-6 hours depending on the age or size of the home in question.
It’s important to be confident in who you hire, ask for client testimonials and ensure that you attend the property inspection along with the inspector. This will allow you to have any questions answered and give you first-hand knowledge of the true state of the house.
