Inspector Insights: What Most Homeowners Miss

Home Inspection San Diego

For any of us that are buying or selling a home, one of the most anxiety-inducing thoughts is the prospect of overlooking an important repair. Without a professional at your side or years of experience yourself, there are so many crucial considerations that can easily be missed. These overlooked repairs can turn a great investment into a not-so-great investment or a dream home into a veritable nightmare. To help you avoid these oft-hidden pitfalls, we rounded up home inspection experts from Sacramento to Philadelphia. Read on and let these seasoned experts and homecare veterans guide you through the most frequently overlooked repairs that homeowners always forget to fix!

Too many small things can add up to a big thing

Sellers should address minor items that give a poor representation of the home like gutters that are falling off the home, slow sink drains and any quirky shortcut fixes because it wasn’t done correctly the first time. I inspected a home where there were limited electrical outlets in the basement so the seller had set up a network of extension cords that ran throughout the open basement ceiling instead of installing outlets. – Spotlight Inspection Services

Plumbing maintenance

Bad Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV): To avoid damage to valves on appliances or fixtures, like a toilet, you do not want the water pressure to be above 80 psi. PRVs typically wear out every 15 years and when they do the water pressure can skyrocket to 150 psi! Get a simple water gauge for less than $10 and test the water pressure to see if your pressure is too high. If it is, a plumber can easily replace the PRV. – At-Ease Inspections

Some of the pre-sale repairs that are most often overlooked are any item that would potentially be covered under the Home Warranty that the seller may be providing to the buyer i.e. electrical, plumbing, appliances, etc. Any item covered under the Home Warranty that is listed as “deficient” in a home inspection report would be considered a “known” pre-existing condition and NOT covered by that warranty. With this in mind, I always recommend that buyers request these repairs to be made so that they can get the full value of the Home Warranty if one is offered. It is always to the seller’s benefit to remove any potential negotiating points from the buyer. – The Home Inspectors

Don’t forget the attic

The most overlooked or ignored spaces in a home tend to be attics and crawlspaces. These areas need to be evaluated before listing because they can hold some of the most unpleasant surprises. Non-professional repairs, structural damage due to leaks, or major moisture & mold problems will bring the smoothest of transactions to a screeching halt. These can be avoided if found and addressed prior to selling. – Integrity Home Inspection

Focus on Foundation

Grading is also commonly missed and is easy for homeowners to correct. Grading is simply adding dirt to the perimeter of your foundation. You look to achieve a slope of 1/4″ per foot out to 6′ from the exterior foundation wall. – Inspection Pros LLC

Make sure your electrical was done professionally

In many homes a clear indication that a permit was never taken for the completion of a roughed-in basement is the location of the furnace isolation switch, it should be at the entrance to the “Room” where the furnace is located. Before a basement is finished the room is the whole basement and the switch is located close to the bottom of the stair, it should be relocated adjacent to the door into the smaller mechanical room that usually is constructed. Amateur electrical work in basements quite often results in wiring connected in reverse polarity (HOT and Neutral Reversed) which is not identified because it still functions as required but is a safety issue. Non Professional work on electrical panels often results in un-closed open holes where the wiring was considered to be located or removed at a different time and then forgotten rather than having a closure plug installed. Again a safety concern and a possibility of vermin entry which could result in a short at an inappropriate time. These issues throw up a RED flag for an inspector and cause them to look a little closer. – At Home & Play Inspections

Bathrooms

The best way to know what repairs you need to make before selling is by getting a pre-listing home inspection. The most common repairs that are overlooked by homeowners take place in the kitchen and bathrooms. Plumbing fixtures and valves are often corroded which are called out during a home inspection. Plumbing fixtures can be conducive to moisture-related issues and should be inspected and repaired as needed before selling your home.

Also, the grout or caulking between the sinks, shower walls, counters, and plumbing fixtures is often deteriorated. These items should be resealed. Repairing these small details will show potential buyers and inspectors that there is pride in ownership when providing a positive reflection of the home. The devil is in the details. – The Inspectors Company

Inspect your HVAC system

The homeowner should check the HVAC system for any leaks as well as check for adequate insulation in attics and crawl spaces. Attics are the main source of energy loss in any home and it is important to make sure your home is up to code. You will see saving on your energy bill right away if your attic is brought up to code. – Insulation Pros Colorado

Sneaky Mold

If you’re getting ready to sell your home, one of the last things that you want is to have a prospective client discover a problem in your home that could de-rail an accepted offer. Although most buyers now obtain home inspections as a part of their contingencies, a few of these buyers also obtain mold inspection reports, and unfortunately, many of these homes have mold-growth issues. If these problems are discovered early enough, they can be addressed prior to listing a property for sale, and the home can then be listed with a “clean bill of health” regarding mold issues. So if you’re considering selling your home, do yourself a favor and get a certified mold inspector to conduct a thorough inspection of your home before your first buyer ever sets foot in the home. – Bay Area Mold Pros

Scope Your Sewer Line

I would imagine that most people are aware of what’s broken in the interior of their home and don’t need to read an article to find out. But as the article title suggests, the “Repairs You Need to Make Before Selling” are probably the ones you’re not aware of and some of those are in the areas you don’t see very often, if at all. When was the last time you had your sewer line scoped? Your dryer vent cleaned? Your roof inspected? And, if your house is on a raised foundation, are you aware of what lies beneath? Getting a pre-listing inspection will take the guesswork out of what you need to repair (or disclose if you’re not willing to repair) before putting your house on the market. – Sacramento Home Inspections

Rain and groundwater management

Rain management is one of the most overlooked and estimated issues with many of the homes we inspect. Something as simple as a gutter full of debris can lead to leaks in the home, standing water in the crawlspace. This problem compounds as the gutter debris travels into the downspouts and through the storm drain lines. The rules are simple, make sure any water that lands on the roof makes it into a gutter, any water that enters the gutter flows freely to a downspout, and is discharged at least 6 feet away from any building components. These simple steps can prevent $1,000’s of unexpected and unnecessary damage over the years. – PacWest Home Inspections

Water intrusion issues due to a lack of proper storm/groundwater control. This can cause a lot of damage especially if the home is on a crawl space or basement, if the crawl space has not been inspected within the last year we would highly recommend getting a pre-listing inspection prior to putting the home on the market. The majority of the deals we see get terminated is due to damage present under the home. If you own a home with a crawl space ask yourself when is the last time it has been visually inspected if the answer is over three years or you can’t remember it’s time to get an inspection done. – AHI Residential & Commercial Inspections

Cracks in your hardscaping

Home sellers usually forget to repair hairline step cracks along the exterior concrete (masonry) block walls. Hairline cracks below 1/16” in width and are not structural defects. However, the step cracks can provide entry for moisture intrusion to damage interior wall materials and runaway future home buyers for assuming these are structural defects. – Pro Inspect Solutions

Accessibility

When Homeowners decide to list their home, it is important to listen to their Agent’s suggestions to make the process smoother. At Continental Home Inspections we have often found instances where the Seller has been diligent in their efforts, but all too often accessibility to systems and components may oftentimes be overlooked. Blocked electrical panels, crawlspace locks, attic access, and stored items in attics and crawl spaces can result in items being missed and deemed inaccessible. This can result in re-inspection fees, which may also ask the question “who will pay for the re-inspection?” A checklist and a walk-thru of the home prior to the Inspector’s arrival can not only save both parties time but also money. Continental Home Inspections

GFCI Receptacles

I would recommend anyone who is selling their home to check/verify the following: trip & reset each of your GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets (these outlets are the ones with a test/reset button). Verify your electrical panel is obstruction-free: nothing stack in front of it or blocking access. Make sure each of your locks on your doors actually works and locks the door when engaged. Check each of your sinks will retain water when the stopper diverter is engaged. Finally, verify that your air filters are CLEAN and if not replace them. – Top 2 Bottom Home Inspection

The most commonly overlooked items we have come across are electrical related. The exterior GFCI should be covered with the proper exterior covering and must be operational. The GFCIs throughout the house should also be operated in the kitchen, bathrooms, garage, and unfinished basement. These are some of the most common safety issues we encounter. – Echo Home Inspections

Originally published on Redfin and republished here with the permission of Redfin.

Home Inspection Tips Both Buyers & Sellers Can Benefit From

A home inspection is a visual examination of a residential unit (typically a house or an apartment) for the purposes of identifying any underlying issues it might have. They are performed by trained experts and are considered to be a vital part of the home buying and selling process.

In other words, whether you’re looking to purchase or sell a property, performing a home inspection is the only way to ensure you’re “playing with a full deck.” Failing to do so may lead to an uninformed business decision that has the potential to set you back financially for decades to come.

Whether you’re looking to purchase a property, or you’re a seller considering a pre-listing home inspection in San Diego, you can benefit from learning a few tried-and-true home inspection tips. Keep reading to learn more.

How do I get the most out of my home inspection?

According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, 90% of homeowners firmly believe that home inspections are a necessary part of the home buying process. What’s less well-known is what exactly a home inspection entails and how to properly incorporate it into the home selling or purchasing process.

Here are three things you need to keep in mind:

Make the inspection official

Tips to prepare for a pre listing home inspection in san diego The buyer should work with their agent to ensure the home inspection is placed into the contract as a contingency clause. This gives them a set amount of time (usually 10-14 days) to perform a home inspection before a purchase offer is signed.

This way, if the home inspection uncovers serious problems with the property, the buyer can back down and get their earnest money back. Sellers can prevent this problem by performing a pre-listing inspection and either fixing serious issues beforehand, or reducing their asking price.

Don’t set your expectations too high

Always remember that a home inspection is primarily a visual examination. This means inspectors can’t do things like examine the piping or wiring inside the walls, break open the floor to check for internal water damage, or move large furniture around to get at hard-to-reach areas.

Furthermore, every home has problems (especially if it’s more than a decade old) and putting together a list of minor issues that don’t impact the final price is a waste of everyone’s time. Your inspector’s job is to assess the home’s condition, and to do that they must focus on the big picture.

Don’t forget specialty inspections

You want to know everything there is to know about the property in question before you buy it or put it up for sale. Before any legally binding documents are signed, consider performing “ancillary inspections”.

These inspections are designed to detect problems such as pest infestations, electrical inspections, and more. They’re normally performed by specialty inspectors, but some general inspectors may have the skill set needed to provide them.

If you’re unsure whether a home needs an ancillary inspection, your best course of action is to call a reputable home inspection company and ask.

Where can I book a reliable pre-listing home inspection in San Diego?

Home inspection tips for buyers and sellers Are you looking to sell an attractive property near the Santa Fe Depot? Or perhaps you’re looking to buy a house in Coronado? Regardless of what your situation may be, you shouldn’t sign any contracts until you know everything there is to know about the property in question.

We can help you with that. Here at Inspectors Company, we boast the expertise, the experience, and the cutting-edge equipment needed to perform top-of-the-line inspections on residential properties of all types and sizes. Get in touch with us today.

How To Get Ready for a Home Inspection?

When buying or selling a home in America, it’s considered common practice to have the place examined by a home inspection expert. The goal is to get a professional assessment of the property’s condition before any legally binding documents are signed.

Conducting a home inspection before selling or buying an apartment or a house is in everyone’s best interest. By identifying any important problems a given property may have, both the buyer and the seller are able make informed decisions and avoid unpleasant surprises.

What do pre listing home insectors in san diego do But how do you prepare for a home inspection? If a seller had the property examined by pre-listing home inspectors in San Diego, do they need to disclose these findings to prospective buyers? Read on to learn the answers to these common home inspection questions.

What should I do before a home inspection?

Aside from hiring an inspector and showing up at the property on time, buyers don’t have to do anything special to get ready for the inspection. On the other hand, there are quite a few things a seller can and should do to facilitate the home inspection.

Some major things include:

Cleaning the house. A spotless house is not only easier to navigate, it also leaves a great impression on potential buyers and prevents unexpected problems. The last thing you want is for a deal to fall through because the buyer thinks you haven’t been cleaning the house regularly.
Leaving the utilities connected. Certified home inspectors leave no rock unturned. They will run the dishwasher, turn on the stove, test the air conditioning and the furnace, and more. If these utilities are disconnected, the inspector may be forced to reschedule.
Declutter. Remove items that may make it difficult to navigate the house or limit access to the furnace, water heater, or air conditioner. The inspector will need 3-4 feet of working space in order to examine these items, so keep that in mind while decluttering.

Does the seller have to disclose previous inspection?

Federal law requires sellers to disclose the presence of any known lead-based paints in the home, provide the buyer with an EPA-published pamphlet on lead-based paint, and get and keep a signed statement from the buyer saying that these disclosure requirements were completed.

Aside from that, there are no nationwide laws on what exactly the seller is required to disclose. Since every state has its own regulations, your best course of action is to consult your home inspection company of choice.

Common disclosures include:

Mold infestations and water damage. In addition to being upfront about basement floods or leaks in the roof, the seller must also notify the buyer about what (if anything) was done to remedy these problems.
Pest infestations. The presence of rats, cockroaches, and especially termites and carpenter ants can be a serious problem and needs to be disclosed. As with water damage, the buyers also have to be told about any measures that were taken to remedy the issue.
Insurance claims and major repairs are another thing the buyers need to know about. This includes repairs performed by previous owners.

Where can I hire dependable pre-listing home inspectors in San Diego?

How to prepare for a pre listing home inspection in san diego Let’s say there’s a highly desirable property near the UC San Diego School of Medicine that you wish to sell or purchase. No matter how eager you may be to close the deal, rushing into it without complete information can easily result in a financial transaction that you’ll regret for the rest of your life.

Inspectors Company is here to help. By conducting first-rate home inspections, we can provide you, our client, with the crucial data you need to make an objective, financially sound decision. Give us a call today.

Home Inspection Repair Requests a Buyer Shouldn’t Make

There’s no such thing as a perfect home. Even newly built houses likely have some underlying issues caused by mistakes in workmanship or sub-par materials. This is especially true if the property is old, or has been mass produced as part of a tract housing development.

Buyers should keep this in mind when using home inspection services in San Marcos. The reality is that the housing market is a seller’s market. Just because your home inspector uncovered many small issues with the property, doesn’t mean most sellers will be able or willing to fix them all.

In this article, we’ll tell you which issues should be repaired before proceeding with the deal, and which ones the buyers should deal with themselves at a later date. Read on to learn more.

Which repair should I request after a home inspection?

The primary goal of a home inspection is to identify serious mechanical or structural defects that can result in expensive repairs in the future, or that may be impossible to fully fix. In worst cases, these problems can even endanger the lives of the house’s occupants.

As a buyer, you should focus on:

Faulty wiring and other major electrical problems,
Water damage, mold infections, and other serious plumbing issues,
Damaged roofing and foundations,
Problems with the HVAC system,
Pest infestations (especially carpenter ants and termites).

While sellers aren’t legally allowed to sell you a place that’s unstable or otherwise dangerous, is that really something you want to find out after the money has already changed hands? This is one of the main reasons why home inspections are crucial.

Which repair requests should a buyer avoid?

Which repair requests should a buyer avoid For most Americans, purchasing an apartment or a house is the largest financial transaction they will make in their life. This kind of pressure causes many buyers to become overly focused on minor problems that mean nothing in the context of 20-30 years of property ownership.

Unfortunately, sweating the small stuff often leads to disagreements between the seller and the buyer, which in turn result in the deal falling through. Don’t lose your dream home because of an insignificant issue that can be easily fixed at a later date!

Avoid making these repair requests:

Cosmetic problems such as cracked tiles, faded or chipped paint, minor yard problems, landscaping, scratches on a hardwood floor, etc., are all easy problems to deal with and won’t have a significant effect on your life in the house,
Nitpicks are a big no-no. Those old curtain holders or leaky shower hoses may bother you, but they’re not something you should worry about while trying to make a six-figure deal. Here’s a good rule of thumb; if it costs less than $100 to repair, it’s not worth bringing up.
Failed window seals aren’t a big deal, and you shouldn’t worry about them during a home inspection. You should only mention them if there’s a large number of windows that need to be replaced, and the seller hasn’t disclosed this fact up front.
Cracked basement floor is nothing to be concerned about. These cracks naturally appear as the concrete floor settles and absorbs water, and they’re not an indicator of structural problems.

Who provides top-notch home inspection services in San Marcos?

Let’s say there’s a gorgeous residential property near the Las Posas Pool that you wish to buy or sell. Unless you’re a construction professional or you have home inspection training, you probably lack the expertise needed to accurately assess the property in question.

Inspectors Company can help. We have a long tradition of providing first-in-class home inspections to the good residents of San Marcos. Our inspection experts boast the training, the experience, and the tools necessary to provide you with the information you need to make a favorable deal. Contact us today.

Why You Should Have Your Home Inspected Before Selling

People who are serious about purchasing a house or an apartment will usually book a professional home inspection in San Marcos, CA prior to signing any contracts. The goal is to detect any problems the house may have before proceeding with the deal.

As a seller, the last thing you want is to find out your property has damaged foundations or an advanced mold infestation at the same time the buyer does. Not only can this make it difficult to sell the home at a good price, it may also require you to make costly repairs to the home before the house can be legally sold.

In the following article, we’ll explain why having a home inspected before putting it on the market is a crucial step when selling a property. Keep reading to learn more.

Why should I have my home inspected before selling it?

A pre-inspection is viewed as a gesture of goodwill. It gives prospective buyers confidence and peace of mind, and sets you apart from other sellers. While being seen as honest and dependable is definitely a bonus, a pre-inspection also brings other benefits.

The major benefits of a pre-inspection include:

It saves you money

A home inspection will uncover any major defects that may put off potential buyers or decrease the value of the property. The importance of this can’t be understated. It enables the seller to deal with the problems in question before any buyers see them.

In addition to making it much easier to sell the house at a good price, this also enables you to conduct any repairs on your own terms. The last thing you want is to deal with a difficult buyer who’s unhappy with the way the requested repairs were performed, or who keeps meddling with the repair process.

It reduces the risk of a deal falling through

An experienced and licensed home inspector will help you identify which problems are most likely to “scare” a potential buyer and result in a collapsed sale (ie., the buyer immediately deciding they don’t want to buy your home and walking away).

By finding out about these issues and dealing with them beforehand, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that there’s no risk of a buyer suddenly deciding your property is not up to par. This saves you both time and frustration.

It shows buyers your home is well-maintained

Some buyers look for small things that need fixing, such as flickering light bulbs, leaky shower hoses, and small cracks in the wall. If they find these things, they tend to assume that the property has been poorly maintained (regardless of whether that’s true or not) and collapse the sale.

Home inspectors are aware of this, which is why they’re always on the lookout for these small problems that can discourage these buyers. With their help, you’ll be able to ensure your home looks well-maintained to all buyers, no matter how fastidious they might be.

Where can I book a first-rate home inspection in San Marcos, CA?

What are the key pros of a pre-listing home inspection Are you the owner of a home located near the Helen Bougher Memorial Park, who’s looking to ensure their house quickly finds a buyer? Or perhaps you’re looking to purchase a well-built residential property that isn’t in dire need of expensive repairs?

Whatever your situation may be, having the best home inspector in San Marcos on your side is essential in order to make a favorable buying or selling deal. Inspectors Company offers the complete range of inspection services, including pool, spa, roofing, mold, and sewer line inspections.

Our inspectors are fully licensed, highly experienced, and equipped with cutting-edge inspection tools and software. Give us a call today.

What Should Be Repaired After a Home Inspection?

There’s no such thing as a flawless home. Even newly built houses have certain issues or elements that could’ve been constructed using better materials or workmanship. And don’t even get us started about old houses; they’re always going to need some repairs, there’s just no way around it.

Trusted San Marcos home inspectors can provide you with an in-depth home inspection report that lists any issues they found during their inspection. These issues can range from simple stuff such as old faucets and cracked windows, to major problems such as advanced mold infestations and faulty heating systems.

So which of these problems should the seller repair, which can be ignored when buying the home, and which ones need to be fixed before the property can be lawfully sold? What are legitimate buyer requests and which repair requests should buyers avoid making in the first place? Read on to learn more.

What are major issues in a home inspection?

When inspecting a piece of real estate, buyers are advised not to sweat the small problems that can be easily (and affordably) fixed in the future. What a buyer should really be focusing on are serious issues that can be extremely expensive (or even impossible) to repair. What fixes are mandatory after a home inspection

These issues include:

Damaged foundation. Every home “settles” over time, which means that its own weight causes it to sink into the ground a little. Hairline cracks in the basement are a normal sign of setting, and should be ignored. However, bowed walls, uneven blocks, and large cracks, are all signs of a badly damaged foundation.
Water damage should never be ignored. Even a small water stain on the ceiling can be a sign of a much bigger issue. Because water flows down, a stain in the basement or the living room can indicate roof leaks or internal flooding in the walls.
Faulty wiring. Older homes are famous for their wiring problems. Even if the wiring works fine, it’s often a good idea to replace them anyway for safety reasons.
Pest infestations. Not only are mice and cockroaches repulsive, they can also introduce harmful microbes and parasites into a home. Termites and carpenter ants are even worse, as they can literally destroy the wood that keeps a place standing.
Mold infestation can appear anywhere where there is a lot of moisture (kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, etc.), and cause serious respiratory problems and bacterial infections.

What fixes are mandatory after a home inspection?

Depending on the state the property is located in, sellers may or may not be under a legal obligation to repair certain problems before selling the property. Furthermore, even if a seller isn’t required to fix anything, they may still be legally obliged to provide a list of disclosures to prospective buyers.

Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, you should study your local real estate transaction laws before offering your property for sale or proceeding with a purchasing deal. If you don’t have the time to do so, or you can’t interpret the legalese in these documents, don’t hesitate to ask your home inspector for help.

Where can I find top-of-the-line San Marcos home inspectors?

Just because there’s a property near the Woodland Park Pool that looks great on the outside doesn’t mean that it can be sold at a high price or that buying it in its current state is a good idea. Inspectors Company is here to help you solve this problem.

We specialize in providing property buyers or sellers in San Marcos with first-rate home inspections that will ensure you never make a bad selling or purchasing deal. Our inspectors are fully licensed and equipped with cutting-edge home inspection equipment that enables them to examine a property with unmatched thoroughness. Call us today.

What Can Home Inspectors Do For Me?

Buying or selling a home is no easy task. Not only do you have to arrange a mutually satisfactory deal with the other party, but must also ensure there are no serious issues that could lower the value of the property and cost a fortune to repair down the line.

Fortunately, an experienced home inspector in San Marcos can carefully examine the property and identify any crucial problems it might have before any contracts are signed. Needless to say, this can prevent a lot of frustration down the road.

In this article, we’ll advise you on what to do if your desired property has mold problems, and explain what the extent of home inspector liability is. Read on to learn more.

Can home inspectors detect mold?

Yes and no. The reality is that a home inspection is primarily a visual examination of a property, which means there are certain areas (such as inside walls, underneath floorboards, behind large furniture, etc.) that the inspector simply can’t get to.

Still, your home inspector will search for signs of mold in certain common places, including:

Around pipes, roofs, or windows,
In the kitchen, bathroom, basement, and other areas that tend to see a lot of moisture,
Under carpets,
In areas with poor ventilation,
In the cracks and corners of the walls,
Near houseplants (especially if they look like they’ve been watered often),
Any areas that have suffered water damage in the past.
Your inspector will also notify you if they detect any strange odors, or if the property looks like it may be in danger of a mold outbreak.

What if my home inspector finds mold?

Some companies provide professional mold remediation services that can remove all traces of mold from a given property. Whether this is a worthwhile investment is up to you to decide, however. Your home inspector should be able to provide you with a rough estimate of how much the remediation may cost.

What increases the risk of mold?

Molds are a type of fungi that thrives in damp areas, so be especially wary of it if the property you’re considering is located near, for instance, Lake San Marcos. Mold is also much likelier to appear in dirty homes, so make sure the place is cleaned regularly.

Are home inspectors liable for missed items?

Can home inspectors detect mold They are. Home inspectors are licensed experts who have undergone extensive training in order to be able to perform their tasks. And just like any licensed professional, they’re liable if they make mistakes that cause their clients to suffer unnecessary losses.

Of course, the extent of a home inspector’s liability depends on the contract they signed with their client. Some inspectors will insert a clause in their contract that limits their liability to the cost of the inspection. This way, should the inspector miss something, they can’t pay more than the return of their fee.

A great way to tell if a home inspector is reliable is to ask them if they have insurance. First-rate home inspectors can get errors and omissions insurance, which protects them (and, by extension, their client) against losses caused by missed items.

Where can I hire a superb home inspector in San Marcos?

Diving headlong into a house buying or selling deal is the way to go if you feel like wasting a lot of money and creating numerous problems for yourself in the future. To make a smart financial decision and long-term investment, you need to think ahead. The good news is, you are not alone and you don’t have to do it on your own.

Inspectors Company provides world-class home inspection services in San Marcos and other California communities. Our experts are fully licensed and use state-of-the-art home inspection software that never fails to detect problems with a property. With our help, you’ll know what fixes are necessary, why you should get a pre-sale home inspection and what your priorities should be if you’re selling your property.

Get in touch with us today so that we may start making arrangements for a home inspection ASAP.

How Do Home Inspectors Perform Their Inspections?

For most Americans, selling or purchasing a house or any other type of real estate is a huge deal. The amount of money involved is often high enough to affect your standard of living for years, if not decades. You must make sure you have access to all the relevant information before committing to anything.

A home inspection in San Marcos is a professional examination of a residential property. These inspections are conducted by trained and licensed experts whose goal is to supply you with an in-depth report that lists any minor or major problems the property in question might have.

In the following article, we’ll explain how home inspectors perform their tasks, and shed some more light on what you can expect from your inspector. Read on to learn more.

What tools does a home inspector need?

Home inspections are non-invasive and non-destructive. This means the inspectors aren’t allowed to dig into walls, disassemble parts of the house, test stability by applying force, or do anything else that might damage the property.

The tools a home inspector uses reflect this. Not all inspectors carry the same equipment, but the majority of them will bring along gadgets that help them answer your questions and perform a more thorough inspection.

The tools home inspectors often use include:

Flashlights. Dim light is all well and good if you’re creating a romantic atmosphere, but a home inspector needs to be able to see every detail, and to be able to point it out clearly to their client. Small LED flashlights that fit inside a pants pocket are ideal for this,
Telescoping inspection mirrors allow inspectors to look at hard-to-reach areas,
Measuring tape not only help the inspector determine find discrepancies, it also assists you, their client, in determining whether your furniture would fit a particular area,
Extendable ladders are needed in order to take a closer look at things like rafters, roofs, high ceilings, and so on,
Electrical GFCI outlet tester can be used to test GFCI outlets and switched wires, outlets that aren’t grounded, and more,
Drones. Some tech-inclined home inspectors use drones to get aerial shots of the property and inspect difficult-to-reach areas. This is especially useful when examining large houses and apartments on higher floors,
Digital cameras aren’t as necessary these days, seeing as everyone has a camera on their phone anyway. That being said, a quality camera can take extra-sharp pictures and make the final report all the more effective.

Do home inspectors give repair estimates?

Do home inspectors give repair estimates It depends. How much a repair will cost depends on many factors, and may be further affected by problems a home inspector simply can’t see (for instance, water damage inside walls). Because of this, many inspectors refuse to provide a cost estimate.

When a responsible inspector does provide an estimate (usually at the behest of their client), they will invariably point out that they’re providing them with a “ballpark” estimate that’s unlikely to be 100% accurate.

As a client, your safest bet is to wait for your inspection report to arrive, then get in touch with repairmen or contractors whose field of expertise matches the problem in question, and ask for an educated cost estimate.

Where can I book the best home inspection in San Marcos?

Are you looking to sell a property in Downtown San Diego? Or maybe you’re interested in purchasing a condo near the California State University San Marcos? Regardless of the specifics of your situation, you shouldn’t sign any deals before subjecting the property to a rigorous examination.

At Inspectors Company, performing such inspections is our specialty! By booking our services, you’ll ensure you know all there is to know about the home you’re thinking of buying or selling. We’ll tell you what fixes are mandatory and what repairs you should prioritize, as well as help you understand which buyer repair requests are legitimate and which are not. Contact us today.

How To Negotiate Repairs After a Home Inspection?

The goal of a home inspection is to determine whether the property you’re thinking of buying or selling has problems that may impact your final decision. If your San Marcos home inspector doesn’t find any serious issues, you can breathe a sigh of relief and proceed with the sale.

Sometimes, however, a home inspection uncovers serious problems that require costly repairs and may even endanger the lives of the residents. If the buyer is still interested in purchasing the property, they’ll have to negotiate repairs with the seller, or demand a lower asking price so as to cover the repair costs.

In the following article, we’ll give you an overview of what you can expect in case your home inspection discovers damages that can’t be overlooked. Keep reading to learn more.

How long does the seller have to agree to repairs?

How long does the seller have to agree to repairs Your home inspector will give you a verbal estimate of how much the repairs would cost and (in case of severe problems) whether full restoration is even possible. All these problems will be described in the official home inspection report that your inspector will send you after the inspection.

At this point, the buyer should compile a list of repairs they feel the seller should make before the property can be sold. Buyers are advised to focus on the big defects and not sweat the small problems that can easily be fixed down the road.

Standard purchase contracts give the seller 48 hours to respond to a repair request. This is by no means set in stone, seeing as real estate agents are free to allocate more or less time based on their judgement and prior agreement with their clients.

What happens if the seller does not complete repairs?

Sometimes, the seller agrees to do the requested repairs, but then ends up doing repair work that’s not complete, not up to code, or different from what was agreed on. Do not proceed with the deal until this issue is resolved. The last thing you want is to try to get a seller to finish the repairs after they’ve already taken your money.

You can avoid this problem by:

Visiting the property multiple times and performing a re-inspection before closing to make sure everything is in order,
Having a well-written contract and repair agreement,
Creating a clause in the contract that compels the seller to pay for the re-inspection if the repairs aren’t performed correctly or on time,
Getting the receipts for the completed repairs before doing a re-inspection (the seller is required to provide receipt copies according to the NEFAR contract),
Requiring the seller to send you photos or videos of the completed repairs before scheduling a re-inspection,
Refusing to close the deal before the repairs are done.

What if the seller can’t afford to make repairs?

Some sellers won’t agree to repairs not because they disagree with them, but rather because they lack the necessary funds to do so. This is often the reason why they’re selling the property in the first place.

If this is the case, the buyer and the seller should choose a vendor that can provide the repairs, and then subtract the cost of those repairs from the final asking price. This allows the deal to proceed in a way that doesn’t require the seller to take a loan to cover repair expenses.

Where can I hire a first-in-class San Marcos home inspector?

Let’s say there’s a property in Lake San Marcos that you’re thinking of buying or selling. Unless you work in construction, the only way to ensure the place doesn’t have any serious problems and meets all relevant safety standards is to enlist the services of a top-notch home inspector.

That’s where Inspectors Company comes in. Every inspector on our team is fully licensed, highly experienced, and has access to state-of-the-art home inspection software. Call us today.

Should I Perform a Home Inspection on New Construction?

Unless you’re extremely wealthy, selling or purchasing a home is likely one of the most significant business decisions you’ll make in your life. As such, it must be approached with utmost care in order to prevent serious financial losses at a later date.

That’s where San Marcos home inspectors come in. Home inspectors are trained experts who specialize in performing in-depth visual examinations on houses, apartments, condos, and other residential properties. They are able to quickly identify problems with a given property, suggest possible home repairs, and advise you on how to proceed.

But how do these inspections work exactly? Which types of properties need home inspections? Should you do re-inspections, or is one inspection enough? We’ll address some of these common home inspection questions in this article. Read on.

What inspections should be done when buying a home?

The seller should have an inspection performed on the property prior to listing it for sale. This allows them to deal with any problems (or adjust their asking price) before prospective buyers see it. Also, it identifies any safety-related concerns that could prevent the home from being legally sold.

The buyer should have at least one inspection done. If repairs are necessary, and the seller agrees to make them, the buyer should then schedule a second inspection that takes place after all repairs have been completed. This ascertains that the seller has fulfilled their end of the bargain and that the deal can proceed.

Is it necessary to have a home inspection on new construction?

What inspections should be done when buying a home One of the most common misconceptions of all time is that “new” means the same thing as “flawless”. Unfortunately, just because something is brand new doesn’t guarantee that it’s well-made or that it doesn’t have unexpected problems.

New construction isn’t an exception. Sub-par designs, cheap materials, and shoddy workmanship are just some of the many reasons why brand new homes can fail to perform as expected. In worst cases, these defects can result in structural collapses that may cause grievous harm to the occupants.

No matter how good a place looks, always approach it with caution and never be in a rush to close the deal. Having the property examined by a licensed home inspector is the only way to ensure it doesn’t hide serious faults that can’t be solved in a timely or cost-effective manner.

What does a home inspection entail?

A home inspection is a visual examination of a given property. Your inspector will walk through the home and examine the place as they go along, all the while writing down notes and commenting on what they see. This process can take anywhere from an hour or two, to an entire afternoon (in case of large properties).

What’s in the home inspection report?

The home inspection report is an official document that contains a comprehensive list of the inspector’s findings. It’s typically written and delivered to you within 48 hours after the inspection.

What if I don’t understand my home inspection report?

No worries. Your inspector will arrange a meeting with you after you’ve had the time to familiarize yourself with your report. During this meeting, they will explain their findings in an easy-to-understand way.

Can any home be inspected?

Of course. Home inspectors are trained to examine all types of residential properties. Whether the place is a new apartment or an old house, or whether it’s located coastside or near the Old California Restaurant Row, makes zero difference to an inspector.

Where can I find dependable San Marcos home inspectors?

Knowledge is power, as the old saying goes. Nowhere is this as true as it is in business. By having a home inspector supply you with in-depth data about the property you’re planning to buy or sell, you’ll prevent yourself from making a bad business deal.

That’s where the leading provider of home inspection services in San Marcos, Inspectors Company, comes in. Our impressive track record is rivaled only by our commitment to rendering the best possible service to our clients. Contact us today.