January 23, 2012
- Home Inspections – Your Best Way To Avoid A Money Pit
As a buyer, one of the smartest things you can do is get a home inspection. It's arguably more important than getting an appraisal, because a proper inspection will prevent you from buying a money pit – at least not intentionally.
A good home inspection will identify both major and minor problems in the physical condition [...]
December 16, 2011
- Every Home has Defects
We'd all like to buy the perfect home. Unfortunately, it doesn't exist. Even new homes have defects. That's why it's important to have any home you buy inspected by qualified professionals-even if it's brand new.
You'll undoubtedly discover defects during your inspections. In fact, you should hope that any significant defects are uncovered before you remove [...]
November 9, 2011
- Home Inspection Advice from Consumer Reports
An issue of Consumer Reports® has a relevant investigation of defects in homes. Importantly, the article gives excellent advice regarding how home buyers can take steps to avoid trouble.
The Consumer Reports® article states "Be proactive. Consumers should never buy a house without first hiring a real-estate attorney and a home-inspection engineer."
It is important for home [...]
October 9, 2011
- Inspecting a Home's Attic
Inadequate insulation means that 10 to 50 percent of energy is lost through walls, ceilings and floors. Proper insulation helps lower energy bills by resisting heat loss. Where the interior of walls and ceilings is easily accessible, adding additional insulation can be a relatively inexpensive way to get a big return on energy savings.
The first [...]
September 20, 2011
- Home and Building Inspectors: What to Look For
Having a home or building inspection performed is, quite commonly, one of the crucial steps in purchasing a property. Buyers and developers want to make sure they are not going to end up buying a property that may have structural problems or which needs costly repairs or updates. This is especially true if they are [...]
August 28, 2011
- 5 Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector
So you've found a home and need to take the next big step, seeing if there is anything hidden you need to know about.
Many home inspectors seem to be speaking a different language when using terms like "serviceable condition" and "conducive to deterioration." Here are 5 things you need to ask and understand about your [...]
June 19, 2011
- Home Inspections on a Foreclosure
Inspections of foreclosed homes present a particular challenge. Often, there is no source of water, no source of electricity, and no source of heat or air-conditioning. These conditions inhibit a full and comprehensive inspection of the home. Of course, the primary aspect of the home inspection is still the verification of the structural integrity.
Typically, bank [...]
June 6, 2011
- Home Inspections: Never Buy Without One
As soon as you have found a home and are ready to make an offer, you have to make sure the property does not involve structural and mechanical repair problems. Usually, home buyers can use a home inspection to secure interests and deals attributed to a home purchase. Sometimes, smart buyers make use of a [...]
April 13, 2011
- Home Defects - Every Home Has Them
We'd all like to buy the perfect home. Unfortunately, it just doesn't exist. Even new homes have defects. That's why it's important to have any home you buy inspected by qualified professionals-even if it's brand new.
You'll undoubtedly discover defects during your inspections. In fact, you should hope that any significant defects are uncovered before you [...]
April 5, 2011
- Home Inspections: The 5 Most Overlooked Problems
After you find a that "perfect home", the next step is to ensure the house is in top condition with a home inspection. Once the buyer and seller have settled on price, it's the last safeguard for the buyer to know the soon-to-be-purchased home is really worth the money. But a home inspection is never [...]
December 6, 2010
- Understanding the Home Inspection Process
A home inspection is an essential part of the home buying process. Without a home inspection, you can never be sure of what you're getting, and when buying a home that's a lot of money to gamble on uncertainty. A home inspection ensures there are no surprises and that you can enjoy your future home [...]
July 21, 2010
- Just Before Closing, Get A Home Inspection
Just Before Closing, Get A Home Inspection
It doesn’t matter how good a home or condo looks, looks can be very deceiving. The thing you don’t want to occur after you move into your new home is replacing major items.
Do yourself a favor and spend the money on a home inspection and make sure it is [...]
July 14, 2010
- Home Inspection: Why Do You Need It?
Home Inspection: Why Do You Need It?
When you purchase a property, you want to make sure you get the most out of your money. In order to do this, you check your property thoroughly. You even work with a professional inspector to know the real state of the property. But why is a home inspection [...]
April 14, 2010
- Home Inspections Can Make or Break the Deal
Home Inspections Can Make or Break the Deal
Match a willing seller with a qualified buyer, a loan approval and an acceptable appraisal and you would think a successful closing is a given. But too many seemingly solid contracts fall apart unnecessarily because of a misunderstanding of the property inspection.
But, that does NOT have to be [...]
March 6, 2010
- Passing Your Home Inspection
Passing Your Home Inspection
If you're getting ready to sell your home, do everything you can to get the house in good condition before you attempt to sell it, but don't be discouraged if the inspection report contains negative statements. Home inspectors make note of everything they see. No home is perfect.
Fix leaks and clogs before [...]
January 6, 2010
- Home Maintenance: How to Budget
Home Maintenance: How to Budget
Spending doesn’t stop once a home is purchased. Whether you are moving into a new home or an older home, you need to be aware of the ongoing maintenance that any home requires, and how to budget for it.
First, home buyers should understand the 1% rule. This rule assumes that normal [...]
December 10, 2009
- Mold in the Home
Mold in the Home
Home buyers have a lot of things to evaluate when looking for a new home. One of the silent things every home buyer needs to be on the lookout for is mold.
Mold can manifest itself in many forms. All types of mold need the same things to grow, moisture and dark spaces. [...]
September 12, 2009
- Home Inspections: Don't Buy Without One
Home Inspections: Don't Buy Without One
When buying a home, regardless of whether it's a newly built home, or one that is 20 years old, you should consider getting it inspected by a professional home inspector. Home inspections provide detailed information about the overall condition of the house one is planning to buy. A standard [...]
August 9, 2009
- Home Inspections - Checking the Exterior
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Home Inspections - Checking the Exterior
After you have picked out a home to buy, you’ll most likely order a home inspection. During the home inspection, the home inspector will inspect the exterior components of the home for defects and signs of structural damage. Here is a list of seven [...]
June 10, 2009
- Mistakes New Homeowners Make
Mistakes New Homeowners Make
You’d be surprised how many people don’t get an inspector to come when they’re buying a new home. While the first inclination may be that new homes don’t require the thorough once-over needed or recommended on older homes, think again. Inspectors can uncover otherwise unapparent items such as furnaces that aren’t vented [...]
