Whether you’re looking to sell a residential property, or you’re interested in purchasing a new home for yourself and your loved ones, you likely understand how valuable it is to have a reputable home inspector in your corner. 

After all, unless you have a background in construction, it’s unlikely that you possess the knowledge necessary to identify every problem a house may have. Without the help of licensed home inspectors in San Diego, CA, most people are at risk of accepting a bad deal that can hurt them financially for years to come. 

What many home sellers and buyers are confused about is whether they themselves need to attend their home inspection, or if simply studying the home inspection report their inspector sends them is enough. We’ll be addressing this question in the following article. Read on. 

Should you be present for a home inspection?

A home inspector’s client should always be present for the home inspection. Even if you have full confidence in your inspector and you’re sure they won’t find anything particularly problematic, you should still take the time out of your schedule to attend the inspection. 

Successful home inspection companies understand their clients are busy, and will be flexible when scheduling the inspection. If you’re still unable to show up for the inspection, you should arrange for a close family member or a trusted representative to be there in your stead. 

Why is it important for you to attend the home inspection?

For most people in the US, purchasing or selling a residential property is a huge financial decision. Leaving anything about it to chance can potentially lead to misunderstandings that can cause crucial details to be left unnoticed until it’s too late. 

You should attend your home inspection because:

• You can ask questions. By being able to voice their concerns and ask specific questions on the spot, clients can get the kind of personalized information that a home inspector wouldn’t otherwise include in their report. 
• You can see things in-person. No matter how many photos and descriptions a home inspection report includes, it’s not the same as seeing something with your own eyes. Being there during the inspection ensures that you know exactly what your inspector is talking about. 
• You know you’re getting your money’s worth. While registered home inspectors take their profession very seriously, it’s still good for the client’s peace of mind to see that the inspector is performing their job as thoroughly as possible.

Should a seller be present for a buyer’s home inspection?

We advise against it. While a buyer can’t bar a seller from attending the inspection, many deals have fallen through because of emotional disagreements between the buyer and the seller during an inspection. It’s best for both the seller and the buyer if the buyer is allowed to conduct their inspection without the seller being present. 

Where can I hire the most competent home inspectors in San Diego, CA?

No matter how impeccable a property in Downtown San Diego may seem to be, it’s an indisputable fact that even brand new houses always have at least some problems. The last thing you want is to learn about these issues after you’ve already put the place up for sale, or worse, after you’ve bought it. 

The best way to avoid this is to get in touch with Inspectors Company. As the leading provider of home inspection services in Orange County, we can proudly say we’re your strongest ally when it comes to buying or selling a home. 

Contact us today and take full advantage of our seasoned inspectors and our 4-point inspection system. 

It’s virtually impossible to overstate the value of having a good home inspector on your side when buying or selling a residential property. A home inspection in San Diego, CA literally keeps you from making an uninformed decision that can set you back financially for the rest of your life. 

This is because issues such as faulty plumbing and deteriorated roofs tend to be prohibitively expensive to repair for most Americans. Learning about these defects ahead of time can make all the difference when deciding how (or whether) to proceed with a deal. 

But how exactly do licensed home inspectors assess a house or an apartment? Anyone can see when a window is broken or a showerhead is leaking, but how do inspectors search for hidden problems such as faulty electrics or unstable foundations? Read on to find out. 

What things do home inspectors look for?

A home inspector’s job is to conduct a visual examination of a property and then provide their client with a comprehensive report that contains a list of all issues a property has. The inspector will also meet up with their client at a later date and go over the report with them. 

While the home inspection report will list both the small and big problems with a property, the ultimate goal of an inspection is to identify severe issues that may require the price to be renegotiated or even cause the deal to fall through. Issues such as a faulty HVAC system or the presence of radon can affect your family and pets.

Top 4 things inspectors look for before anything else are:

• Structural integrity. Bouncy or uneven floors, cracks in the basement walls, nails popping out of walls, leaning or cracked chimneys, and gaps around door frames and windows all indicate a problem with structural integrity. 
• Water damage is a serious concern. Water in the basement can be a sign of structural damage, while plumbing issues and roof leaks can result in wall stains, mold infestations, and wood rot. 
• Electrical problems are not only costly to repair, they can cause life-threatening fires. Because of this, home inspectors pay special attention to a house’s wiring, electrical and breaker panels, and reversed polarities.
• Roof damage can lead to pest infestations and catastrophic leaks. When examining a roof, inspectors always look for loose, missing, or buckled shingles, rusted or cracked flashing, and considerable algae growths.

What should I look for in a new home inspection?

Whether you’re a seller interested in performing a pre-listing inspection, or a buyer looking to have an upscale property in Del Mar Heights thoroughly examined before you proceed with the deal, you first need to make sure you have the right home inspector on your team. 

One of the signs of a quality home inspection company is versatility. Unlike individual inspectors or small inspection firms that inspect only residential properties, trusted inspectors also provide commercial, verbal, and mobile home inspections. 

Quality home inspection companies also provide 4-point inspections that cover the 4 major aspects of every house or apartment (plumbing, electrical, roof, and HVAC). Finally, they give back to the community by offering special discounts. 

Where can I book a dependable home inspection in San Diego, CA?

Are you looking for a top-notch provider of home inspection services in San Diego and the other parts of Orange County? If so, you can’t go wrong by contacting the Inspectors Company. We are affordable, highly professional, fully InterNACHI certified, and highly rated by our clients. 

Reach out to us today, and take full advantage of our superbly trained inspectors and our advanced home inspection equipment and software. We’ll help you make the best possible home buying or selling decision. 

There’s no such thing as a flawless residential property. Even newly built houses tend to have some faults that may result in a buyer asking for the price to be renegotiated, or asking for certain repairs to be made before the money can exchange hands. 

That’s why responsible sellers and buyers always hire a licensed home inspection technician to perform a home inspection in San Diego. Once the inspector has identified whatever issues the property may have the buyer and the seller can then decide how (and if) to proceed. 

Unfortunately, many would-be home buyers and sellers are confused as to how after-inspection negotiations should be done. Too many times, this confusion has resulted in an otherwise sound deal falling through. We’re here to help you avoid that pitfall. Read on!

What can you negotiate after inspection?

The job of the home inspector is to provide you with a list of issues (both small and big) that they have identified. When a seller hires an inspector, it’s usually to perform an inspection before putting the house on the market. Since no buyer is involved at this point, no negotiations are necessary. 

If a buyer hires the home inspector, they normally do so after they’ve found a house they like, but before any payments have been made. If this inspection uncovers problems the buyer feels need to be addressed before the deal can proceed, negotiations will be needed.

Anything can be negotiated, but it’s best to:

• Be flexible. Both the sellers and the buyers should be ready to accept some less-than-ideal terms. This is especially true if the home in question is an old one. Buyers should think long term, while sellers should be realistic about the value of their property.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff. A buyer should identify a few major issues that they really want fixed, and focus on those during negotiations. Worrying about cracked floor tiles, wonky cabinets, old showerheads, and other minor items can only lead to unnecessary disagreements. 

How do I renegotiate my house price after inspection?

Before starting negotiations, the buyers should consult with their realtor to determine how to go about the process and which issues are reasonable to negotiate over. Once this has been determined, it’s up to the buyer to decide what they want to ask for. 

Buyers most commonly do one of the following:

• Ask the seller to fix an issue before the deal can proceed (just keep in mind the seller isn’t very motivated to pay for top-notch repairs).
• Ask the seller to reduce the price of the home to accommodate for the cost of the repairs.
• Ask for an alternate compensation, such as asking the seller to leave behind some appliances and furniture.
• Ask to purchase a home warranty that covers the first year of residency from the seller (this is most often done if the home has old appliances). 

Where can I book a first-rate home inspection in San Diego and nearby communities?

Let’s say you’re thinking of buying or selling a gorgeous property in Mira Mesa. Regardless of how perfect it may look at a glance, it’s likely this property has some issues that may greatly diminish your asking price (if you’re a seller) or be expensive to repair later on (if you’re a buyer).

Luckily for you, a licensed home inspector can provide you with all the information you need to make an informed buying or selling decision. As the top provider of home inspection services in San Diego, Inspectors Company takes great pride in our long track record of successful inspections and our many satisfied clients. Book your inspection today! 

A home inspection is a visual examination of a residential property performed by licensed home inspectors in San Diego. It’s by far the most cost-effective way to identify any underlying problems with a property, and as such is a crucial step in the home buying process. 

Unfortunately, due to inexperience or a lack of information, many Americans fail to take full advantage of their home inspections. This can easily lead to you purchasing or selling a house at an unfavorable price and suffering a significant financial hit as a result. 

We’re here to help you avoid that situation. In the following article, we’ll provide you with a list of crucial questions every home buyer or seller should ask before and during their home inspection. Read on to learn more!

What questions should you ask during a home inspection?

First off, you want to check if the home inspector you’re considering has the appropriate licensing for your state. Also, ask them if they’re insured and how much experience they have. As a rule of thumb, you should only hire inspectors who work for trusted home inspection companies that make sure you get a fair deal. 

Once the inspection is underway, remember to ask the following:

What’s the roof like?

A faulty roof can have a major impact on a home sale, so make sure it gets a thorough examination. Are the shingles in good condition? What about the eavestrough? Are the gutters full of asphalt granules? Is there major damage, or advanced wear and tear? 

How good is the insulation?

The long term costs of heating and cooling are directly dependent on how well a home is insulated. Proper insulation and ventilation also minimizes the possibility of a mold or mildew infestation. At the very least, the insulation should have the R-Value of 60, and not contain asbestos. 

How’s the electrical?

Bad electrical systems can lead to life-threatening fires. In fact, knob-and-tube electrical systems are so risky that some insurers will automatically refuse to insure a house that has them. The inspector should perform a close examination of the electrical systems to ensure it’s in good condition.

What about the plumbing?

Faulty plumbing can lead to damaging floods, mold infestations, overflowing toilets, and undrinkable tap water. On top of that, old houses often have lead piping which can wear down over time and cause lead particles to get into the water supply. 

Is the place structurally sound?

A home inspector needs to ensure a house’s foundations are solid and that they don’t have any large cracks. A crack is considered serious if it’s wide enough to stick a dime in. If this is the case, you should consider getting a second opinion from a structural engineer or a foundation specialist.

Is there a pest infestation?

Mice, rats, cockroaches, and other critters are known to spread disease and ruin our food. As if that wasn’t bad enough, carpenter ants and termites can literally cause a house to become unstable. Your inspector should check for any signs of these dangerous pests.

Where can I hire the top home inspectors in San Diego and the rest of Orange County?

That home in Point Loma you’re thinking of buying or selling may look wonderful, but like all residential properties it almost certainly has a few problems that may require costly repairs. 

Having it examined by a home inspection expert before putting it up for sale or signing a buying deal is vital if you want to ensure you don’t regret your decision at a later date. Here at Inspectors Company, we can help you with that.

As the leading home inspection company in San Diego, we have the training, the experience, and the equipment necessary to render first-rate home inspections. Get in touch with us today!