Top Things To Look For In A Home Inspection
Many times home buyers don't take time to investigate the home inspection process prior to making an offer on a property. This can be a mistake! Once you find your dream home, things start to happen very fast. Usually when your contract is accepted you will get a call from your real estate agent giving you the good news. Then (hopefully) the agent will give you a list of inspectors to choose from or a web site where all of the local certified inspectors are listed. Be very concerned if your agent just says "here is the number of the guy that I use." This could mean that they have an inspector who is not very detailed and therefore doesn't come up with much on the inspection report that the agents and seller and you as the buyer have to deal with. Take the recommendation of the agent and then do some more investigating. Once you've selected an inspector they will do their work and then send you a comprehensive report listing everything that is going on with the property. Don't just choose any inspector though, make sure to really question them before you hire them. Below is a list of things to be looking for and asking your inspector.
1. Are you an ASHI certified inspector?
ASHI is the American Society of Home Inspectors. They offer memberships to home inspectors who wish to align with a group that adheres to a code of ethics and has standards of practice in place. In many states, there are no licensing requirements for home inspectors. Using an ASHI certified inspector will help you have a more professional and educated inspector.
2. Do you go in the attic?
This is a key question here in Arizona. When temps are in the 110's the heat in the attic is much hotter. Many inspectors don't go in the attic as a result of this. Not good! Don't let them tell you that its fine or that they just don't do that. The attic is an integral part f the house. You will want them to check for evidence of roof leaks, electrical wiring issues and more when doing your home inspection. Make sure they do this. Some will say that they take a look with a flashlight but that is not enough either unless the attic just does not allow for access. Be sure to check this out before hiring someone.
3. Do you go on the roof?
Again, some inspectors don't do this. Some will stand at the street with binoculars and peer at the roof. Well gosh, I have some binoculars I could use. What is the point of paying someone who doesn't do any more than I can? Some roofs are too steep for access but at a minimum the inspector should arrive at the property with a nice tall extension ladder that will allow them to look at the roof close up with their eyes.
4. Look for evidence of pests
Pests can vary depending on the area but in Arizona we have plenty of them. The biggest question about pests here is always termites. They are just a fact of life. Most people know that if you don't have termites, you will. Termites may come and go but you don't want to just let them munch away while you do nothing. You will want to get a termite inspection as part of the overall process to see what, if any termite activity is going on in the home now. To see if your home has had a problem in the past you can go to the Office of Pest Management web page to search by address. Reports and inspections are filed with this office and you can view those that are 5 years old and newer. Just a good thing to do!
Other pests to watch for are rats. Due to the large number of citrus trees we do have a big roof rat population in some areas of Scottsdale. Be assured though that these are high end rats and not some New York City sewer variety. These little pests live above ground and like warm attics in the winter as well as hedges and bushes.
Scorpions bring out the fear in even the most gallant people. They can hide in your shoes or even in your bed. Some parts of town can be worse than others. Seller's should always disclose if they've had a scorpion problem but ask them just to be sure. You can look for them after dark with a black light but since your inspection will be during the day, have the inspector look for them, especially if the house has been vacant for a while. They can get inside through even the tiniest cracks so it is important to check for them.
5. Was work done on the house without a permit?
If you're buying a property with lots of brand new updates, this can be critical. Some home seller's may have done work themselves that should have had a building permit and inspections to ensure the work was done according to local building codes. Not all work done on a home requires a permit so keep that in mind. Things that usually do are remodeling or construction projects, electrical work, and major plumbing work. Water heater installs require a permit since safety comes into play. Furnaces require a permit as well. To see if a property in Maricopa County has had permits pulled, click here. This site will show any permits and inspections that have been done. Any open permits should be completed prior to you taking ownership of the property. If something was not done right it must be fixed by the seller and their contractor before you sign on the dotted line.
I could go on for days about the things to be concerned about when doing a home inspection. It is a pretty detailed process. If you would like to talk more about this, be sure to contact me or call 480-382-7622. I'd love to share my knowledge with you and help make the process of buying a home a good one for you!
If you haven't yet found a home, take a look below at the newest listings on the market in Scottsdale in the past 24 hours. The market is moving fast so you will want a fast moving broker like me to assist you with the process.
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