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As a home inspection company, we frequently write about buyers’ inspections on this blog. However, did you know that sellers have something to gain from getting a home inspection, too? That’s right. From identifying issues early on to standing firm in your asking price, let’s discuss what the benefits of a seller’s pre-inspection are.
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As a result of the hot housing market these past few years, potential buyers have often been in fierce competition with each other. Many have made offers tens of thousands of dollars over asking price, made all-cash offers, and waived the appraisal and/or home inspection contingencies to give them an edge in the seller’s market. As a home inspection company, we find the latter-most trend particularly troubling—but not just for business reasons. Let’s unpack why you shouldn’t waive a home inspection when purchasing a house.
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When it comes to a home’s exterior, not everything is about curb appeal and cosmetics. Sure, the perfect paint color and a lush lawn will catch someone’s eye, but the outside of a house is about structure, functionality, and safety just as much as the inside is. And while the average home buyer can’t always see a house’s potential issues from driving by or walking through a showing, a proper home inspection can reveal things the naked eye misses. Today, we’re reviewing what home inspectors check outside of houses for.
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When performing a residential inspection, a home inspector has to check all sorts of things—from plumbing and electrical systems to attics and appliances. They also have to check the most basic, yet still important, barriers in the home: windows and walls. In this blog, we’re going to focus on what all home inspectors check windows and walls for specifically.
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DIY projects—like re-staining furniture, building a bookshelf, or painting a wall—can be fun for the ambitious homeowners looking to save some cash. But when it comes to a home inspection, is that something you should try doing yourself? As a home inspection company, you can probably guess what our answer is going to be. But we’re going to tackle the question anyways! Let’s discuss whether a home buyer can and should perform their own home inspection.
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Most New Englanders are familiar with insulation and its crucial role in a household’s climate. Put plainly, insulation is the stuff that helps keep our home environment cool in the summer and warm in the winter. But there’s much more to it than that. And since it’s such an essential element of a house, it is indeed something inspectors examine during a standard home inspection. So, let’s go over the ins and outs of home insulation and what an inspector looks for.
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For many homeowners with septic tanks, it’s often something that’s “out of sight, out of mind.” But like many other things found in your house and on your property, a septic tank requires regular care and maintenance to keep it functioning properly. If not, you run the risk of health and safety hazards, raw sewage backup in your home, and very costly repairs. So, how often do you need to get a septic tank pumped? Let’s explore that question.
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Toilets: every home needs at least one. Essential to our everyday lives and functioning bathrooms, these modern-day plumbing fixtures are often overlooked. But, if not installed properly, toilets can cause structural issues and severe damage, which could negatively affect a home inspection report. Whether constructing a brand-new house or renovating the bathroom in your current place, you won’t want to skimp on the toilet installation. If done incorrectly, you could encounter these issues.
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Although home inspectors can’t dismantle anything within a home, there are tools that make their job safer and easier. The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) Standards of Practice recommends home inspectors at least have a flashlight and an electrical circuit tester, but an experienced inspector knows that their job requires more than just the basics. Let’s take a look at some of the items that may be present in a home inspector’s toolbox.
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Sump pumps play an important role in keeping basements dry. So, when a sump pump isn’t installed properly or is poorly maintained, a strong bout of heavy rainfall or a burst pipe can cause extensive damage to your home. To ensure your potential new home is protected from basement floods, let’s take a look at what home inspectors look for in a sump pump.
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