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Selecting a Home Inspector
By Joseph Pescatello
Buying a home may be the largest investment you make in your lifetime. Hiring a good home inspector will increase the odds that you�ll make a good investment. Follow these tips to help select a qualified and trustworthy inspector. (For a detailed discussion on selecting a home inspector, see Kenneth Edward�s Home Buyer�s Survival Guide. Dearborn Financial Publishing, Inc. 1995)
� Get recommendations from people you know who have purchased homes in your area. The realtor who is selling the home shouldn�t recommend an inspector.
� Avoid inspectors who also do contracting or renovation work. They have a vested interest in finding problems with a home.
� Most states don�t license home inspectors, so try to find someone who has a long-term affiliation with a professional home inspector�s association. The American Society of Home Inspectors is one such organization. They require their members to pass an extensive entrance exam and take continuing education credits every year. Also ask for letters of recommendation, certifications or other credentials. Many universities offer certificate programs in home inspection.
� Look for someone who has errors and omissions insurance. Be sure to request a copy of their policy.
� Ask to see a sample of their final report. Many inspectors issue a simple form with checkboxes for the major systems that say Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. You�re better off with a detailed report that gives specific recommendations. You want to know if the 30-year-old furnace is satisfactory today, but can be expected to fail in the near future.
� Look for someone with a long-term record in your area who can provide VA and FHA inspections, and who uses certified EPA labs for chemical testing. These inspectors won�t necessarily cost more, but they will almost certainly provide a complete and professional analysis.
Joe Pescatello is an author, a real estate investor and commercial software developer. Visit http://UncleBobsAttic.com for a sample of his work.
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Home Maintenance Tips You Can't Afford to Ignore
By Ian White
Without a doubt, buying a home can be the largest investment you�ll ever make. With the average home costing approximately $190,000, many homeowners take great pains to ensure that all cosmetic and structural repairs are attended to. However, the truth is that many expensive repairs could be avoided by simply sticking to a routine maintenance schedule. Routinely checking your home for emerging problems will prevent larger, more expensive problems that leave homeowners scrambling for a quick repair�rather than a cost-effective one. Clearly, regular home maintenance is something you can�t afford to ignore.
When to Inspect
Spring is a good time to begin assessing your home for any damage or repairs that need attending to. A good rule of thumb is to check your home at the same time you change your fire alarm batteries�at the beginning (spring) and end (fall) of daylight saving�s time. Doing so will ensure that minor repairs don�t turn into major expenses. Some components of your home may require less-frequent monitoring (foundation), and some may require more (changing the furnace filter). However, taking a walkthrough of your home twice yearly is a good rule of thumb to begin with.
Who Should Inspect
If you feel unqualified to asses every crack and unidentified water leak in your home, feel free to hire a handy man. Not only will he be able to spot any problems, but he can also advise on repairs and costs right on the spot. Do you want a thorough evaluation? Hire a home inspector. Do keep in mind, however, that home inspectors cost much more (around $300) and may not necessarily find every problem.
In most instances, though, simply paying attention to your home is all it takes to spot any emerging problems. For example, if your toilet runs all the time, chances are it needs to be repaired. Have you noticed that your doors don�t shut properly anymore? That could be a sign of foundation settling or warping. Simply making a list of things around your home that seem �off� can make your inspection process much easier. No matter what your plans, the following items are a good place to start when evaluating the condition of your home:
Exterior Items
Chimneys:
Check chimneys for loose or deteriorating bricks or mortar. Make sure that metal chimneys are rust-free. A white, salty buildup on the chimney (efflorescence), indicates moisture build-up, and should be checked out by a professional. It�s a good idea to have your chimneys professionally cleaned and inspected on an annual basis, in addition to you own visual assessments.
Roofs:
Have a leak inside the house? Chances are it�s your roof. Beyond that, look for chipped or missing shingles, or shingles that may be rubbed away by hanging tree limbs. Take this chance to trim trees up away from the shingles. Also make sure to check flashings, soffits, fascia, and any wood trim that comes in contact with the roof for rotting or peeling paint. Touch up and repair as needed.
Gutters and Downspouts:
Clean out your gutters and downspouts twice a year to ensure that no leakage or damage occurs. In addition, you may want to place screens over your gutters (available at home improvement stores) to prevent leaves and debris from entering the gutter system. Check for any places that they may be pulling away from the house or leaking. If paint is deteriorating, now is a good time to touch up.
Exterior Walls and Foundation:
Check for any cracks, deterioration, or peeling paint. If foundation cracking is excessive, call for a professional assessment. Otherwise, you can patch it yourself with mortar patch (which can be piped in with a caulk gun).
Soil Grading:
Does water seem to settle around the house�rather than drain away? Check to make sure that the soil slopes away from the house (1 inch per 6 feet is recommended). If it doesn�t, simply backfill with some topsoil until you reach the desired effect.
Doors and Windows:
Look for peeling or cracked caulk and weather stripping. These can easily be purchased at any home improvement store and repaired in a small amount of time. Clean out window wells and check that windows and doors open, shut, and lock properly.
Porches, Decks, and Patios:
Sealing your wooden porches and decks on an annual basis will help prevent against rotting and deterioration. Secure any wobbly rails or steps, and replace or treat any rotting or deteriorating wood. Check patios for cracks or settling, and repair as necessary.
Driveways and Sidewalks:
Check for cracking, and fill with concrete-patch as needed. Taking this time to seal your concrete areas will help prevent any further cracking and deterioration.
Attics and Crawlspaces:
Inspect attics and crawlspaces for any signs of water leakage, and repair as necessary. In addition, look for mildew, rot, and fungus growth. Repair any loose or damaged insulation, and check that attic vents are functioning properly. Look for any signs of vermin, and treat as necessary by placing bait or traps�or hiring a professional exterminator.
Electrical
Do you have outlets that are loose? Now is the time to have them replaced�either by an electrician or yourself. Check your main breaker panel for any signs of deterioration. Turn breakers on and off to make sure all are functioning properly, and check all fuses. Do you smell something burning? Call a professional. Also, take this time to check the ground fault circuit interrupters (usually around sinks and other water elements) to ensure they function properly.
Heating and Air Conditioning
Does your heating and air conditioning run non-stop? Now is the time to have it checked out. Having your air ducts cleaned by a professional will help your unit run more efficiently. Check the coils on the air conditioning unit for any bent or misshapen areas. Clear debris out of the fan blades before using.
Plumbing
Check outdoor faucets and supply lines for any signs of leakage. If you have a septic tank, take notice of any foul odors or signs of seepage in the yard. If you haven�t had your tank emptied yet, do so now.
Take time to repair leaky faucets and caulk bathroom fixtures. Check toilets for any signs of leakage�either from the tank or around the base. Check sump pumps to ensure proper function, and test the pressure relief valve on your water heater to ensure that it hasn�t seized up.
Interior Items
Walls:
Look for any signs of mildew or water damage (yellow stains are usually a sign of water damage). Patch holes and cracks in the drywall, and touch up paint as necessary. Monitor any significant cracks, as these could be a sign of foundation problems.
Ceilings:
As with walls, take note of any mildew or water stains, and repair as needed. Look for drooping ceilings, and locate the cause to ensure proper repairs. Monitor and repair cracks.
Doors and Windows:
Open, close, and lock (where applicable) all doors and windows to ensure proper functioning. Replace weathered caulk around windows and check for any signs of moisture infiltration (particularly in storm windows). Broken or loose knobs, latches, or handles should be repaired now.
While no homeowner can possible catch every problem before it develops into an expensive repair, simply taking note of minor �fix-its��and repairing them�can help avoid many costly repair bills in the future. Without a doubt, regular home maintenance is something no homeowner can afford to ignore.
Copyright � 2006, Ian White
Author Ian White is founder of housecarers.com House Sitting Registry Find retired House Sitters and Travellers, to mind your home and pets while you are away. Secure confidential matching. Exchange house and pet care for free accommodation.
http://www.housecarers.com
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Home Inspections are for the Wise
By Martin Lukac
There are a lot of myths about home inspections out there. People often don't understand when a home inspection is necessary, who should perform it and how it should be conducted. These misconceptions can cost a buyer a lot of money.
Basically, a professional home inspector looks over a home from the foundation to the rafters. He or she prepares a report that gives the condition of all the home's major components.
However, the inspector will not rip into the walls, take apart any appliances or inspect the swimming pool. The inspector gives the home a close look with a professionally trained eye.
Keep in mind that an inspection isn't the same as an appraisal. The appraisal gives the value of the home, the inspection gives the condition.
The first myth is that a home inspection isn't required as long as you can see the condition of the property is good. This isn't true. You should always have your home inspected by a professional inspector, complete with certifications and licenses. You will receive a report that gives the condition of the inspected items. Many reports will include a list of items that need attention and photos of the findings. This is a written report of the home's condition of the home on the day it was inspected. What is in writing is more important than any spoken claims you get from an agent or seller.
Don't confuse a termite inspection, electrical inspection or a chimney inspection with a home inspection. These are important, but will not provide a complete picture of the home's elements. A termite inspection only checks for termites, he won't check the heating and air units.
General contractors cannot provide home inspections. In fact, many states forbid it, due to the potential for conflict of interest. A general contractor has a good background in becoming a home inspector, but you shouldn't have your home inspected by anyone who isn't a licensed home inspector.
The inspection is not a seller's repair list. While the seller can use the inspection as a repair list, unless it is a contingency in the contract, there is no obligation for repairs. The exception is if the home inspection finds conditions that are require by law to be fixed before the home is sold. The inspection tells you what you are getting for your money. Some people even have inspections performed before signing a purchase agreement -- to save time and money.
Even if you are buying a home "as-is," you should have it inspected. While the seller is not responsible for any repairs or improvements, the inspection lets you know what you are getting into. It is better to know before you live in the home.
And finally, new homes should be inspected as well. They should be inspected before the walls are closed in and after the building is complete. A study a few years back revealed that 15% of new homes sell with a serious defect. Other studies indicate that 41% of new homes sell with serious problems, including mold. Thirty-four percent can have structural problems, including missing connections.
Some builders will not allow you an inspection, but you should try your hardest to get it inspected before it is too far along. Many conditions will not show up once the home is complete until it is too late. You should definitely have it inspected by your professional once it is complete.
There is absolutely no reason not to have a home you are purchasing inspected. It protects you and your investment.
Martin Lukac represents http://www.RateEmpire.com and http://www.1AmericanFinancial.com, a finance web-company specializing in real estate and mortgage rates. We specialize in daily updates, mortgage news, rate predictions, mortgage rates and more. Find low home loan mortgage interest rates from hundreds of mortgage companies!
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