Home Inspection

Home inspection is an important exercise that helps the buyer makes an informed decision about choosing a home. Affording a home, involves much more than having sufficient funds to cover the down payment, closing costs and mortgage obligations. The purchaser’s responsibility includes the maintenance of the home on an ongoing basis.

Inspection Tools for the Buyer

If you are planning to conduct an inspection, there are certain aspects that need to be considered. Schedule the home inspection during day time hours if at all possible. You may want to bring along with you a consumer inspection form, powerful flashlight, tape recorder, a circuit tester and a stepladder to look in the attic to check insulation, the underside of the roof and indirect lighting fixtures.

Hints for the Buyer

It will be worthwhile to go through the home completely several times so you can do a comprehensive analysis. Evaluate the home on the basis of the existing condition of all systems and equipment, unusual features that increase or decrease the appeal of the home, problems or features that need the attention of a professional home inspector and quality and condition of the structure.

Routine house cleaning and maintenance items like paint, furnace filters, gutters, caulking in bathrooms, landscaping, floors, appliances and walls need consideration too. Also form a basis for comparing homes that you are considering purchasing and estimate the costs carefully.

Hints for the Seller

Having a home inspection before you list the property for sale is sometimes a good idea.  Fix leaks and clogs long before the home inspection takes place as the home inspector will check water pressure by turning on multiple faucets and flushing toilets at the same time. The electrical panel and circuit breaker configuration should be adequate for the needs of the house. Make sure that the heating and cooling systems are working efficiently. Also, check all appliances and the structure and foundation of the construction.

If you are the seller, ensure that the house is in a good condition before you attempt to sell it. If the inspection report contains negative comments, don’t be discouraged, but use it for improving your asset. Addressing these issues will help to ensure you sell your home at a price that is economically desirable.