October 1, 2009

Even if a home looks flawless, it's a mistake to assume that it's actually problem-free. All homes have defects -- even fairly new ones and brand new ones.  So even though home inspections fall on the buyers list of things to pay for, getting a professional inspection before making the commitment to buy is crucial. Be sure to attend the inspection so the inspector can explain any issues.

Home Inspection 101: Here's a glance at how home inspections are supposed to work:

1. Every house should be inspected.
Otherwise, you're relying on the seller to be honest enough to tell you every thing that's wrong with the house. And, quite frankly, the home inspector very well could find something that the seller does not even know about.

2. You hire the inspector.
You want him to work for you so search around and get advice from your realtor, but make sure you make the final decision on the home inspector.  A real estate company often has a list of home inspectors they like to work with. This does not mean you have to use one from the list. You can find lists of certified inspectors at the web sites of the two organizations that certify and train home inspectors: The National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) and the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).

4. You will sign an agreement with the home inspector that outlines the scope of his work.
The report you'll get about the house's condition after the inspection is for your eyes only and the inspector can only give it to the seller or real estate agent with your permission.

5. A thorough inspection of a 2,000-square foot home should take 2 to 3 hours. A good inspector:

• walks on the roof
• goes into the crawl space and attic
• removes the furnace and electrical panel covers to see what's inside
• checks all electrical outlets and switches
• opens and closes all windows and doors
• examines the insides of closets and the undersides of stairs
• checks walls, ceilings and floors for defects
• checks water pressure and drain function in plumbing fixture
• flushes toilets to make sure they work
• checks chimneys and flues to be sure they work
• checks the exterior of the home for signs of weather damage, decay and settling
• knows the soil and flooding problems in the area where you're buying.

6. Once he's finished with the inspection, the home inspector will go over the report with you, explain the defects he found and point out areas that may need maintenance in the near future.

7. You can ask the seller to correct the defects your inspector finds, or you can ask for money to make the repairs yourself.

article obtained from: http://www.frontdoor.com/buy/Home-Inspection-101/27

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Currently Ryan has about 30+ listings in inventory, and has sold 25 homes in 2009. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions about Chico area real estate.

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