PREPARING FOR YOUR HOME INSPECTION

You’re under contract and just booked your home inspection!

Now what?

Make sure you’re prepared for inspection day by following these tips.

BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY

Most buyers only book a standard home inspection when they should be adding additional inspection services.

Advantage Inspections currently offers the following add-on inspection services:

Termite Inspection
Mold Inspection
Air Quality Testing
Water Quality Testing

REFRESH ON THE BASICS

Know what the most common home inspection findings are so you’re not surprised when your home has a loose toilet or smoke alarms missing.

Remember that a home inspection is a visual, non-comprehensive evaluation of the home. It won’t catch everything and you may need to hire specialists for further evaluation of major systems like HVAC, electrical or plumbing.

Home inspections are also not pass/fail or code inspections.

INSPECTION ETIQUETTE

Ask your inspector the best way for you to ask questions. Some don’t mind you following along and asking throughout the inspection. Some prefer you write them down and wait until the end.

(It is best advised to show up for the final walk-through and summary, this makes sure the inspector doesn’t miss any items because they are distracted)

Refrain from bringing extended family or friends to the inspection. This takes the inspector’s focus away from doing their best job if they are getting questions from all angles.

Also remember that you still don’t technically own the home. This means that you or the inspector shouldn’t be moving furniture, touching personal belongings or otherwise doing things you wouldn’t want a stranger doing in your home.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN A HOME INSPECTION?

Appliances – We will test and examine all major appliances like hot water heaters, washers and dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, and more.
Doors, Windows & Interior – We will check doors and windows for proper sealing and drafts, signs of mold or water damage, and more. We will also check the condition of all interior spaces.
Foundations, Basements and Crawl Spaces – We will examine the foundation, crawlspaces and basements to look for signs of things like past water damage, foundation cracking or shifting, and other such potentially expensive issues.
Attic, Ventilation & Insulation – We will examine the attic to ensure it is properly ventilated, check for mold and moisture, assess the level of insulation, and more.
Roof – The roof is one of the most costly and important structures. We will examine the roof, its structure, shingles/tiles, flashing, gutters, downspouts and more.
Exterior – This includes the exterior walkways and doors, siding, eaves and soffits, fascia, paint, and other such elements of the home’s exterior.
HVAC – We will visually inspect the HVAC systems including ducts, filters, furnaces and air conditioning units.
Plumbing – We will visually inspect plumbing fixtures for proper function, including tubs, sinks, hoses, showers, and water shut-off valves, and look for leaks and other such flaws.
Electrical Systems – We will visually inspect both interior and exterior electrical systems including service drops, service masts, grounding, outlets, meters, circuit breakers, and other such systems.

Note: Home’s that are tenant/owner occupied add additional limitations to the inspection. We do not interact with current residents personal belongings, out of respect for their property.