| Buying or Selling a Home... The process can be quite stressful. A home inspection is supposed to give you "peace of mind," but often has the opposite effect. You will be asked to absorb a lot of information in a short period of time. This often includes a written report, checklist, photographs and what the inspector says during the inspection. All this, and, if you're the buyer, the seller's disclosure - plus, what you notice yourself makes the experience even more overwhelming. What should I do? Relax. Most of your inspection report will most likely be maintenance recommendations and minor imperfections - maybe even some life expectancies on a few items within the home. These are nice to know about. However, the issues that really matter will fall into four categories: - Major defects. An example of this would be a structural failure. - Things that lead to major defects. A small roof flashing leak, for example. - Things that may hinder the ability to obtain financing or insure the home. - Safety hazards, such as exposed wires or defective ground fault circuits. Anything in these categories should be addressed. Most often a problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect both life and property. Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of defects uncovered during an inspection. Realize that sellers are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the report. No home is perfect. You must keep things in perspective. Don't kill your deal over insignificant things that don't truly matter. If you're the buyer, it is inappropriate to demand that a seller address deferred maintenance, conditions already listed on the seller's disclosure, or nit-picky items. Focus on the complete inspection report and decide whether those smaller issues can be readily resolved in some manner between the seller and potential buyer of the home. CCHIG'S Comprehensive Inspection Includes...
~ Exterior: Siding paint, windows, decks, garage doors, etc. ~ Grading: Relative to water flow and rain run-off ~ Roofing: Coverings, flashings, chimneys, etc. ~ Plumbing: Piping [readily visible], fixtures, faucets, water heating and fuel storage ~ Electrical: Wiring, main service panel, conductors, outlets, etc. ~ Heating: Equipment, safety controls, chimneys, chimney caps ~ Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps, age, service notices, controls, thermostats. ~ Interior: Partitions, ceilings, floors, railings, doors and windows, etc. ~ Insulation and Ventilation: Attics, walls, floors, foundations, baths ~ Potential mold issues [optional service/test] Tubs, Spa's, Sauna's, Water Conditioners, Water Filtration/Osmosis Systems, Wells [only to determine if well pump is functional at time of inspection], HVAC Air Exchange/Heat Recovery Systems, Geothermal or Solar Systems, HVAC Systems that are not Heat Pump by design, Crawl spaces with less than 36" ground to bottom of floor joist clearance [requirement], Back-Up Generators, Docks & Dock Access Walkways, Dock/Ramp Pilings, Bulkheads, Elevators/Lifts, Swimming Pools, or any/all areas not readily accessible. As part of my comprehensive inspection, I provide only a "visual" inspection (i.e., cracks, visual defects, etc.), not an operational or mechanical inspection, of these possible home amenities. I also do not test septic tanks due to specific testing regulations required in the states of North and South Carolina. If a septic tank exists, no home inspection company can completely test the septic system, nor can they truly certify its functionality better than a company professionally trained and experienced in septic tank testing. Simply put, have your septic system tested by a licensed septic contractor - especially if it's an older system. Check with your Realtor for information on any septic testing requirements you may require. I do, though, offer other additional inspection services based upon your specific inspection needs. |
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NC License #002751
SC License #RBI 2527
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