Home Inspection Articles | House Inspection News

Whatever your reasons for obtaining a home inspection, there are several things that you need to check and do to pass the home inspection.

If you are obtaining a home inspection for loan refinancing, home equity loan or for listing because you are selling your house, you need to do the following so that your house will surely pass the home inspection.

Among the things that you need to check is your plumbing system. Check for leaks around your pipes and your faucets and the connectors that supply water to your dish washer and washing machine. House inspectors say many houses fail inspection because of water leaks.

If you house is built in the 1970s and 1980s, see to it that the pipes used are standard. There are types of pipes that will not pass home inspections.

Another system to check is your electrical system. See to it that your electrical outlets work and that the connectors are not loose.

Check your circuit breaker. See to it that the breaker boxes are wired properly. Faulty wiring and wrong size of boxes are among the leading causes of fires in homes.

Your heating systems should also be checked and fixed by a professional experienced in heating and ventilation systems. Annual checking of heating systems will ensure that the burners are replaced and that leaks are fixed. Filters should be replaced periodically to ensure the proper flow of heat through the house.

Periodic maintenance of heating systems also ensures that carbon monoxide leaks will not occur. Gas leaking is always given attention by the inspector during home inspection.

Ensure also that your insulation in the attic is not causing higher energy costs. Check that shingles are correctly installed and secured. Improperly installed shingles cause water leaks during the rainy season and will start damaging the house. Repairs on structures are among the most costly home projects.

Another important house system is your drainage system. See to it that your gutters properly drain so that water will not accumulate near the foundations of the house.

Drainage problems also cause mold, which has become a big problem in many houses. During the home inspection, the inspector will check if your drainage system directs water to where they should be going. Clean your gutters regularly.

If you have checked your major systems and have fixed and replaced defective parts, surely you will pass your home inspection easily.

Home Inspection

You can still find your dream home among foreclosed houses and other distressed homes in many areas of the country, as long as you hire professional house inspectors to make sure that the house you are buying is worth your investment.

There are foreclosure houses which are well maintained, especially in communities that are fiercely guarding their areas against deterioration from foreclosures. But there are also foreclosure properties which have deteriorated to a point that they need major repairs.

For both conditions, you need the services of professional house inspectors. For well-maintained foreclosure houses, home inspectors can make sure that what you initially see is the real condition of the property.

For abandoned homes, house inspectors can help you determine the damages and defects and help you estimate the cost of repairs. Their home inspection reports can help you decide if the repairs can be covered by future profits or price discounts from the seller or if it is better for you to walk away from the planned purchase.

Sellers can also benefit from the work of home inspectors. Owners are able to identify defects and damages that they need to repair so that they can remedy them before buyers see them. Needless to say, it is easier to sell houses that have no defects or damages.

Sellers can also estimate the level of discounts that they can give to potential buyers if they know the defects of their houses.

If you cannot get information about home inspectors or referrals from your family, neighbors or friends, you can visit the American
Society of Home Inspectors’ web site. ASHI, considered among the most respected home inspection associations in the county, has more stringent membership requirements than other house inspection associations.

On the ASHI web site, you can find qualified house inspectors in your area. The inspectors’ specialties and experiences and related information are also included.

As you choose from the listed house inspectors, check references. Do not base your choice solely on price. Fees typically go up if specialized inspections are needed, such as inspection of septic systems, termite inspection and detection of toxic building materials.

When interviewing home inspectors, ask how they do their inspections and ask for sample inspection reports.

Lastly, attend the house inspection. This is your opportunity to learn from house inspectors and to make sure that you are making a great investment.

Home Inspectors

The proposed mandatory house inspection for foreclosure properties and abandoned properties are being opposed by realtors and sellers who believe that mandatory home inspection would hinder the sale of their properties.

But builders and contractors who have seen the consequences of unsafe repairs on various house systems reiterate the importance of mandatory home inspection.

Mandatory home inspection would protect renters and buyers and their families, especially first time homebuyers who are not knowledgeable about home inspection.

First time homebuyers and first time individual investors are oftentimes enticed to skip house inspection because of the low asking price for the foreclosed homes. They are told that house conditions such as major electrical, plumbing and structural defects can easily be repaired or can easily be remedied by low-cost repair contractors.

Later, when the foreclosed or abandoned property which did not undergo professional house inspection would be rented out or sold to unsuspecting buyers, the occupants would be unaware of serious defects that could cause accidents or life-threatening situations.
It is irresponsible for sellers and realtors to skip house inspection. To prevent this negligence, mandatory property inspection for all communities is proposed.

Mandatory home inspection for abandoned foreclosure houses can also protect neighborhoods from deteriorating. Even neighborhoods in gated communities can become havens of squatters and criminals if vacant foreclosure properties are not supervised, inspected
and maintained for a long time.

Aside from blight, neighborhoods with foreclosure properties that are not inspected and maintained also face deterioration in home values. Prices of foreclosure homes go down, taking down with them the prices of nearby houses which are well-maintained and occupied.

Without professional inspection, foreclosure properties also put an overwhelming pressure on community resources such as fire service, sheriff’s office and emergency medical services. The presence of criminals would force municipalities to spend more tax money on law enforcement services.

All these community problems can be solved if mandatory home inspection is proposed and approved by legislators and then implemented.

House inspection will ensure that houses, especially abandoned foreclosure houses, are examined, fixed and maintained in compliance with building code provisions. Professional inspection will ensure that families are safe in their homes and that children are safe when they play in their backyards.

House inspection is not a costly undertaking especially if the benefits for families and communities are considered. Mandatory house inspection is a life-saving issue for legislators to consider.

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