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A Typical Home Inspection & What We Inspect

• Outlines the condition of a property's structure, construction, and mechanical systems.
• Estimates how long major systems (like electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning) will continue to run smoothly.
• Identifies any major repair items that pose a significant expense to you, the buyer, in the near term.
• Identifies any minor defects that should be repaired or replaced before closing.

What a Home Inspector Will Evaluate

You should expect your home inspector to spend anywhere from two to four hours evaluating your home against his or her home inspection checklist.

1. The Lot. Your inspector will begin by looking at the lot itself, including:

• Topography
• Fencing
• Landscaping
• Walkways

The inspector will pay close attention to how runoff water drains since poor water drainage can negatively affect the structural integrity of the home.

2. Foundation and Landscape. Your inspector will examine the home's foundation, driveway, decks, and patios. He or she will be looking for cracks, water damage, weakening, or deterioration. Again, how water drains on the property can greatly affect the home's foundation and landscape, so your inspector will also be looking at:

• Gutters
• Downspouts
• Evidence of pooling water
• Evidence of seeping water

3. Roof and Chimney. Next on the home inspection checklist, your home inspector will evaluate the roof. The inspector will examine the roof's pitch, the types of materials used, and the roof's current state of repair (or disrepair). He or she should also be able to estimate for you the remaining life expectancy of the home's roof.

While the home inspector is looking at the roof, he or she will also examine the chimney (if applicable). By looking for signs of settling or loose masonry, the inspector can inform you about chimney repairs that should be made prior to closing.

4. Exterior. Your home inspector will take a close look at the home's exterior. This includes:

• Siding
• Paint
• Windows
• Doors
• Eaves
• Overhangs
• Caulking

It's typical for most deferred maintenance on a home to be found on the home's exterior. If the seller has not kept up with painting and caulking, there may be water damage or other signs of deterioration that your home inspector can alert you to. Any exterior "red flags" on your home inspection list can be invaluable information to have before you buy.

5. Crawlspace/Basement, Attic, and Eaves. Your home inspector will also include a thorough assessment of the home's crawlspace or basement (if applicable) as well as the attic and any eaves that are accessible. He or she will be looking for:

• Structural integrity of the home
• Insulation quality, thickness, and condition
• Evidence of leaks
• Proper ventilation

If you ask your home inspector, you can also get a good idea of how energy efficient the home is and what suggestions he or she has for improving its efficiency (buying a water heater insulation blanket, adding more insulation, etc.).

6. Kitchen and Baths. Because many homes experience leaks that can, over time, present big problems, your inspector will spend a good amount of time assessing the state of the kitchen and baths of the home. Again, knowing about any problem areas can be priceless information to have before you buy.

7. Appliances that Stay with the House. Some of the time that your inspector spends in the kitchen will be used to examine the condition of the major appliances that will convey with the sale of the home. These appliances may include:

• Stove
• Dishwasher
• Microwave
• Garbage disposal
• Trash compactor
• Refrigerator/freezer
• Icemaker
• Washer
• Dryer

Your new home inspection will give you an idea of how long you can expect the existing appliances to continue with trouble-free operation. If an appliance needs repair or is nearing replacement, you can plan for this expense ahead of time.

8. The Rest of the Interior. Your home inspector will go through the rest of your new home, room by room. Remember that he or she is not going to make observations about the cosmetic state of the home; instead, the inspector will be:

• Testing electrical outlets/switches
• Looking for water damage and evidence of leaks
• Looking for broken or sealed-shut windows
• Documenting any structural damage

9. Major Systems. Your home inspector will spend a good deal of time looking closely at the home's major systems. These systems include:

• Water heating system
• Heating and air conditioning systems
• Electrical system
• Plumbing system and fixtures

Not only will the inspector document the current condition of each system, he or she will give you an estimate of how long each system should continue to run smoothly. If a system is nearing replacement or is in need of significant repair, you may choose to negotiate the price of the home or, at the very least, budget ahead for the expense.

How Our Home Inspection Can Help You Negotiate The Price

With a reliable home inspection report in hand, you have great leverage in negotiating with the home's seller about needed repairs or replacements. The seller then has the opportunity to make repairs prior to closing or to drop the asking price.

How Our Home Inspection Will Make You a Better Homeowner

When you attend the home inspection, ask questions as you walk through the house with the home inspector. You'll learn about the location of shut-off valves and utilities as well as tips for general house operation, setting you up to be proactive in your approach to maintaining your new home.

As mentioned earlier, your home inspector will identify any major repairs that you should anticipate. For example, in evaluating the roof, your inspector will inform you about the roof's existing condition, when he or she thinks repairs may need to be made, what kind of material(s) the roof is constructed of, and what the life expectancy of those materials are. If the repair is imminent, this report can save you from or enable you to save for what might have otherwise been an unexpected expense.


How Our Home Inspection Expedites Your Closing

Your home inspection can also help your closing go more smoothly and quickly. Resolving repairs and replacements early can keep your closing on schedule and decrease the number of contingencies in the purchase agreement, making closing easier.

In Review

Our program has been designed to assure you a thorough, easy to understand overview of the conditions of the home you are about to purchase. Buying a home is not something you do every day and we provide the information you need for peace of mind.

• We assure the inspection of and report on, over 400 items
• We point out major and minor deficiencies to give you the complete picture on your new home's condition
• We identify any major expenditures coming up so you can budget these potential expenses
• We identify any potential safety hazards present
• We show you how various systems work
• We review and explain the conditions found

We deliver a detailed report to you on:

• External Conditions & Surfaces
• Roof, Attic, Insulation & Ventilation
• Plumbing & Electrical Systems
• Appliances
• Heating & Cooling Systems
• Foundations, Slabs & Floors
• Walls & Ceilings
• Garage, Walks & Driveway

 

Don't leave your biggest investment to chance.

 

Call us today at 407-310-2828

 

Advanced Look Property Inspections, LLC

Professional, Reliable, Certified, Insured

 Serving Metro Orlando, Kissimmee, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia & All of Central Florida
 

We take great pride in our work & company and strive to be Number 1 in customer satisfaction by providing excellence in the services you want at a schedule that's convenient for YOU.

 

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