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Preparation Steps for a Home Inspection
A crucial step to selling your home is to have it inspected by a professional home inspector before you place it on the market. By having your home inspected first, you will know if there are any major or minor details that need to be addressed. This will also help you get the maximum for your home. Therefore, we have some steps that will help you prepare for a home inspection.
Hiring an inspector – There are some companies who will do a free pre-listing inspection in hopes that you will hire them to do any needed repairs. However, you can invest money and hire a professional home inspector. Either way, you will be notified of any problems your property may have. You can then get all your repairs done and sell your home quickly.
During the inspection – Because many home inspectors can be very critical of a home, you may want to leave while the inspector is there. Criticism can set you on the defense; however, when it comes to the reality of your home, you need to be on the offense.
Availability – If you do decide to be away during the home inspection, you will need to make sure the inspector will have access to your homes functioning units like the furnace, water heater, circuit breaker, appliances and more. In many cases, this will help you get a good inspection report.
Get down to business – Once you know if or what repairs need to be done, don’t procrastinate. Get down to business as soon as possible. The longer you wait on repairs, the longer your home will be on the market.
Tom and Bev Herring – Your real estate resource for Tulsa, OK and surrounding communities.
Red Flags to Look for During a Home Inspection
HouseMaster recently showed that more than 40% of previously sold home passed a home inspection even though it had at least one serious problem. Therefore, we have come up with some red flags to look for during a home inspection.
Every home needs some type of repair or improvement if it has been previously owned. Some repairs are expected, but with today’s high repair costs you want to make sure you know what you are getting into you buy a home. If there is a major problem, you may need to keep looking for your dream home.
The more serious defects to look for include cracked heater exchange, water contamination, failing air conditioning compressors, lead paint, asbestos, environmental hazards like radon, underground storage tanks, moisture in the basement, mixed plumbing, defective roofing or flashing, aluminum wiring, undersized electrical system, foundation cracks, chimney separation, and extreme house settlement.
Most all problems can be repaired. However, if the defect involves one of the major systems, the cost can be quite substantial, which could affect your purchasing decision. A new air conditioning compressor could cost you up to $1,400 and a new roof can end up costing several thousand dollars. Basement moisture problems can be an extremely high cost fix too.
When you are searching for a home inspector, be sure to hire a qualified inspector and get referrals from friends or people you trust that has used the inspector and was satisfied with the experience. Check for affiliations with organizations such as the American Society of Home Inspectors or the American Association of Home Inspectors. Members of these organizations must be certified and meet professional qualifications. They must also adhere to specific business ethics. Once you have an appointment set it is very important to be there during the home inspection.
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Contact Information
Tom & Bev Herring Bev, GRI, CRS
Tom, Broker Associate, ePro
Tulsa, OK 74133
Business: (918) 712-4405
Fax: (918) 712-4333
