Property Inspections

While some home repairs may be minor, others may be quite a bit more costly.  A reputable inspection company is qualified to address all areas of concern.  But don’t hesitate to mention things you may have noticed yourself.  Accompanying an inspector may allow you to notice other issues that were not observed when you offered to purchase the property.  After all, you probably didn’t have a flashlight or feel it was appropriate to peak inside certain areas while you were first considering the home.  Your initial observation of the home was probably centered around size and layout of the rooms, and the overall general appearance of the home.

Pre-purchase home inspections target two types of defects.  Patent defects are easily spotted.  Water stains and ceiling cracks are examples of patent defects.  Latent defects are not as easy to spot.  These hidden defects can include dry rot, faulty plumbing, damaged foundation, or the presence of asbestos ceilings.

A qualified home inspector should be looking at the following:

1. Structural:  Know the condition of the foundation, floor joists, rafters, and window and door headers.  Wood damage from termites may require replacement of extensive damaged areas, in addition to treatment for live wood-destroying insects.
2. Drainage:  Check condition of roof gutters and down spouts.  Be sure the property does not require re-grading to channel water away from the home.  Seeing the property after a heavy rainstorm may be useful.
3. Roof:  Leaking may be caused by damaged areas or improper flashing.  Areas around sky-lights should be inspected.  Broken tiles or shingles may be cosmetic or areas of leaking.
4. Plumbing:  Apart from the obvious clogged drains and leaky faucets, it will be important to know the condition and compatibility of piping materials and waste lines.  Main lines may need cleaning to prevent back-up of waste water into the home.  This is equally important in a condominium where draining will begin at the top floor, attempt to reach the street, and back up into a lower floor unit. 
5. Electrical:  Is there insufficient, out-dated, or faulty wiring, especially in older homes? Apart from the danger of fire, your insurance company may insist on costly upgrades to older systems prior to providing an insurance binder that you will be required by your lender to provide before closing.  Be sure all outlets and switches are working.
6. Heating and A/C Systems:  Are the systems old, poorly maintained, or unsafe?  Is a newer unit energy-efficient, or will it cost you significantly more to operate on a monthly basis?  If the heating system is not electric, is a carbon monoxide detector installed?
7. Ventilation:  Is there adequate ventilation to prevent moisture build-up?  Ventilation fans may need to be installed in bathrooms. 
8. Windows and Doors:  Apart from checking to see that all the doors and windows open and shut property, check the caulking and weather stripping around the windows and doors.  Repairs may be needed to prevent water from coming in and your costly air-conditioning and heating from escaping.  Don’t forget the garage door and the automatic garage door opener.
9. Pool:  A pool that is losing water can be a sign of a serious problem.  A qualified pool inspector should check for water retention, as well as operating pumps and other systems. 
10. Environmental Issues:  Lead-based paint was commonly used in homes built before 1978.  Dangers may also exist from presence of asbestos, radon, toxic mold, or other pollutants.