It helps a lot if you inspect the property together with the seller so you can ask questions. But show that you are serious about defects by taking notes and using house inspection tools.

Your inspection tool kit includes an electrical tester, flashlight, screwdriver, binoculars, camera, tape measure, square and your clipboard for taking notes. Also, download a house inspection checklist from a reputable home improvement web site and study it. You can use this checklist as your guide in your house inspection.

You can start your house inspection outside the house. Examine the walkway, driveway, stairway and porch. Check grading, landscaping, windows, exterior walls and doors. Observe also the adjacent house if it is not causing a problem. Check the roof using your binoculars. Check the gutters, downspouts and drainage.

You can start your interior house inspection in the basement. Check joists for decayed wood and look for evidences of leaks, such as white residues on concrete. Check the foundation if the mortar is deteriorating.

Next inspect the heating and ventilation systems. Check maintenance records for the boiler or furnace and the water heater. See to it that plumbing pipes are made of copper or plastic because these materials resist corrosion. Galvanized pipes easily crack or corrode.

As you examine the other parts of the house, check the alarm system and the number of smoke detectors. Examine rooms and closet spaces. Rooms used to access other rooms should not be counted as bedrooms. Open and close windows and doors. Check lighting systems and electrical outlets.

Also, remember to check water pressure upstairs by flushing toilets, turning on faucets and checking sinks upstairs.

Check also estimates for recent repairs or upgrades. You can ask the seller for receipts and other related documents.

After completing your house inspection, start negotiating with the seller about the repair of specific defects or the reduction of the asking price.

You Can Do Your Own House Inspection if You Are Prepared is a post from HomeInspectorCenter.com - Your home inspector headquarters.

You should not rely on the home inspection undertaken by your local building house inspectors. This type of house inspection is just to ensure that basic building laws are not violated, so the basis of their passing grade is just a list of minimum building standards. They do not check the quality or defects of some of major parts of the house.

If you do not know anyone who can be trusted to refer you to a qualified house inspector, choose among professionals in your area who are members of a nationally recognized home inspection association. The American Society of Home Inspectors is well-recommended because it is the oldest and largest association of house inspectors. Before applicants become members, they must first undertake 250 or more paid home inspection procedures and must pass two comprehensive exams. They must keep up with current house inspection knowledge by taking continuing education lessons.

Your home inspection should take at least three hours to complete so your house inspector can check all major systems and essential details. Among the parts inspected thoroughly are the overall structure, building materials, roof, walls and the electrical, heating, cooling and plumbing systems.

Although an errors and omissions insurance or a home inspection warranty is advisable, do not rely too much on either of them and hastily sign the house inspection report or the closing documents. The sorrows and stress you suffer in court and in your house when you later find so many defects cannot be compensated by any settlement that you get.

Never rely on promises made by a seller or builder concerning the repair of any defect that you find before closing. Many sellers and builders have a thousand things to do and they will keep delaying the needed repairs. Tie them to their obligation by not fully paying the house. Talk with your mortgage lender so they can put an amount in escrow to ensure the remediation of any of your problem before the house is fully paid.

If you are building your own house through the services of a contractor, arrange for a regular home inspection as the construction of the house progresses.

Expert Home Inspection Saves You from Sorrow is a post from HomeInspectorCenter.com - Your home inspector headquarters.

There are several parts or systems of a house that prospective buyers are more concerned with over the other parts because they are the most common causes of costly repair expenses. Focus on these parts first.

First, do a home inspection on all parts that usually cause water damage problems. In the kitchen, check under the sinks and make sure there are no leaks. In the bathroom, replace caulking if it is stained. Repaint your bathroom window.

If marks of previous repairs are visible on some walls, check if it is more cost-effective to repaint the walls or just replace the walls.

Secondly, inspect your electrical system. There should be no dangling wires in the house. Electrical outlets should have been properly installed. All electrical appliances and equipment should be working. If you feel you are not qualified to check electrical systems, hire an electrical home inspection specialist.

Next, check your attic. Most buyers require home inspection professionals to particularly evaluate the attic for insulation and ventilation problems.

Another equipment to check is the furnace. Replace the dirty filter. Remove rust on the exterior and interior parts. Replace the humidifier if it is not working. Hire a home inspector professional specializing on furnaces if you have been seeing orange and yellow flames during operation.

After checking major parts of the house, inspect details and do needed repairs.

Check fluorescent lights and switches. See to it that visible wires and cables in your basement are not touching hot air ducts. Open and close windows and doors to make sure they are smoothly operating. Check the locks, door knobs and door stoppers.

Inspect exterior parts and systems. See to it that gutters are not sagging and downspouts are connected to drainage systems. Make sure exterior electrical fixtures are working. Secure hand rails and guards. Replace rotted parts of wooden porches and decks.

If there have been major repairs or upgrades in your house, it is advisable to show prospective buyers repair permits and receipts to assure them of the quality of the work.

Oftentimes the best sources of home inspection information are listing agents. They are the ones talking with prospective buyers and listening to their concerns about homes.

Home Inspection Tips for Owners Selling Their Homes is a post from HomeInspectorCenter.com - Your home inspector headquarters.

A home inspection not only lets you know about the condition of a house. It can even save you considerable amount as you can have the home price cut down when home inspection reports show major problems in the property. You can also ask the seller to fix the problems before you take over the property. If you do not conduct home inspection, you would not find out about necessary repairs early on.

When you hire a home inspector, there are things that you might need to ask them. It is therefore advisable to be present during home inspection. Here are some things you might ask your home inspector:

• Ask about all matters regarding the home that might concern you. Different buyers have different specific concerns; let your home inspector know about yours.
• Inquire about the drainage system of the property. You have to know whether the drainage is functioning well. Aside from the drainage, you can ask about other matters regarding the exteriors such as protecting the roofing. Also, if the property has a basement, you can ask the home inspector for tips on how to keep it dry.
• There are some things around the house that can make acquiring insurance harder than usual. One example is when the house has aluminium wiring or knob and tube wiring. You can ask your inspector if the house has those materials.
• Ask your home inspector regarding the house plumbing. You have to know whether the clean out cap is brand new as there may be issues when it is. Also ask about the pipes. As for the heating system, ask about its every part.
• Most importantly, ask about the home structure. Even if they would not be able to tell you about the insides of the walls, they can give you a general idea on whether the home is sturdy.

You can ask several questions to your home inspector but remember to limit them to those he can answer. Stick to questions that have to do with the condition of the house; refrain from asking questions about the price or whether you should buy the property or not. Home inspectors cannot give you the answer to those questions; they can only help you arrive at a wise decision.

What to Ask During Home Inspection is a post from HomeInspectorCenter.com - Your home inspector headquarters.

This way, the buyer is aware of what the problems are and will be able to estimate the real value of the property. In addition, it will also make it easier to calculate future maintenance costs.

Included in a home inspection checklist are two things: the condition of the structure (roof, floors, doors and windows, walls, foundation and basement) and the mechanical systems in place (heating, air conditioning, electrical and plumbing systems). By knowing where the problems lie, home buyers will be able to call the attention of the seller and repairs can be done before closing the entire home sales transaction.

A detailed home inspection report will not only provide home buyers with the list of the areas that contain defects but also the kind of maintenance needed to make sure that the property remains in good condition. Whether you are planning on using the property as a rental home or a personal residence, a home inspection will surely be worth the trouble.

Since a home inspection will require expertise and knowledge regarding home structures and mechanical systems, it is important that home buyers hire professionals. For instance, a simple watermark located in the basement could indicate seepage problems while mildew may mean heating and air conditioning issues. You can check your local listings of home inspectors or ask your friends and co-workers for referral.

Deciding to get a home inspection should be considered a wise investment. You will save more in the long run, not only in money but also in time. There is nothing more inconvenient than having home repairs done after you have moved and settled in.

Home Inspections: Why You Need Them is a post from HomeInspectorCenter.com - Your home inspector headquarters.

Do some research about the home inspection company that you are considering to hire. A licensed home inspector is preferable because it somehow indicates that he is competent. The financial liability of the inspector to his client is limited only to the total inspection fee that he received.

Employ a home inspector who is efficient and competent and can provide all important environmental inspections, including radon, lead and water testing, aside from the standard home inspection process. Observe the inspector’s disclosure style and personality and make sure that they meet your expectations.

Choose a general home inspection contingency which would give you 10 days, upon signing of the sales agreement, to hire an inspector to check the house for any mechanical, structural and environmental problems and render a home inspection report after.

See to it that the contingency provides you an option to withdraw from the agreement to buy the house if results of a home and environmental inspection showed that the property is not worth the price you have agreed to pay for. A contingency should also give you an option to ask the home seller to do some necessary repairs.

Most buyers are concerned only of the structure and foundation of the house that most often than not, they give only second thought to having the property check for any environmental hazards.

Several primary environmental and health issues that should be included in the inspection are radon, lead dust, drinking water and molds and mildew.

A safe water for cooking, drinking and bathing is important for you and your family’s health so see to it that the supply in the property you are planning to buy does not contain lead or other contaminants.

Guidelines on Environmental Home Inspection is a post from HomeInspectorCenter.com - Your home inspector headquarters.

Nowadays, most home inspectors use laptops with home inspection software and other modern inspection tools to perform their work. Nevertheless, it is still to your advantage if you are knowledgeable about most, if not all, possible home defects.

Some other defects that could be missed during home inspection are the following:

1. Decaying Wood
   This condition is usually found in wooden parts which are exposed to the elements and in places where the wood is constantly wet. These are wood near plumbing fixtures, showers, tubs, roof eaves, decks and outdoor living spaces.

   According to wood experts, the conditions that causes wood decay and rot are moisture, oxygen, good temperature and wood nutrients.

2. Fireplace and chimney problems
   The causes of these problems include failure to periodically clean the chimney, absence of spark arrestors, use of inferior wood-burning stoves, failure to put adequate clearance or barrier between hot metals and combustible materials and defective installation of other fireplace fixtures.
3. Garage firewall violations
   The building code requires a fire-resistant firewall to separate the garage attached to a house. This requirement has been in place since 1927.
4. Building extension and remodeling violations
   Many home inspectors have discovered a high number of remodeling and extension projects done without building permits. Most likely, these projects took shortcuts and used substandard materials.
5. Water leaks
   These are indicated by the presence of stains on ceilings, basement floors, attics and near baseboards.
6. Termites
   A common sign of termite infestation is the presence of dark blisters in wood flooring. You can also tap wood in various parts. If the tapped wood sounds hollow, termites could already have eaten a big portion of the insides of the wood.

Home Defects Your Home Inspector Could Miss is a post from HomeInspectorCenter.com - Your home inspector headquarters.

Prospective homebuyers rely on the inspectionresults of certified real estate home inspectors to gauge whether they will proceed with the transaction and would demand additional remediation from the seller, or would turn down the deal.

Sellers who want to get a good deal from the home sales transaction should have a pre-sale home inspection from certified home inspectors. It appears redundant to undertake such a procedure since the buyers will most likely have their own home inspection services before deciding to buy a home.

However, engaging in such inspection procedures will inform the seller on potential problems in their homes which they can remedy before selling. The report can point out good qualities and features in the home which can be used for marketing the property. The report can also outline possible opportunities for enhancements that could increase the value of the home even more. Having a sound foundation and excellent house conditions with favorable features can make the seller put a profitable tag price to their homes.

If left unattended, these problems can show up at the buyer’s home inspection report, which could either make the buyer ask for a much lower asking price or totally cancel the deal. An inspection report that highlights no major issues or problems with the home could satisfy even the most reluctant of buyers and seal the sales transaction more quickly. The seller would get a good deal for his investments, and the buyer would finally have the home he or she is looking for.

The Benefits of a Pre-Sale Home Inspection is a post from HomeInspectorCenter.com - Your home inspector headquarters.

If a person is selling his own house, he may want to have his home inspectedbefore making it available for purchase. That way, potential home buyers would know he is giving a complete disclosure of the property and whether or not there are some problems with it.

If a person is going to purchase a house, it is necessary to have the property inspected one to two weeks after a written agreement has been accepted. Look for home inspectors and choose the right one before buying the home.

If a person is an existing property owner, the house bought may be a new one or a second-hand property. If it is the former, he may have it inspected prior to the expiration of the warranty. A recurring home inspection is one way of protecting the house from any possible damages.

Finding a reliable home inspection company is something to be considered. Choose a credible home inspector. Ask them how a home inspection report can be brought or delivered. Some inspectors are required to have license so better have it checked as well. It is also important to know as to where the inspector is affiliated with or if there are any certifications that he is required to have.

A home inspection cost varies on the place, how large the house is and the extent of inspection. It normally ranges from $250-$500 in the US.

Home inspections usually last from an hour and a half up to three hours.

Be present while doing the home inspection and make sure it is done during the daytime. Never hesitate to ask any questions as it may help you get a lot of information regarding this type of service to avoid any problems in the future.

How to Get the Right Home Inspectors is a post from HomeInspectorCenter.com - Your home inspector headquarters.