Home Inspections

Buyers!! The most important thing to do during the contingency period is get a great home inspection from a licensed professional. This is just as important as the loan, a loan you can refinance, but the condition of the home cannot be altered without work, some of which can be quite expensive. Your Great Western Realty Group Agent will make sure you get a complete inspection and the information you need to feel comfortable moving forward with the sale.....or just moving on.

Although most inspections cost about the same, usually around $425 for a 2000 single family home, they are definitely not the same in content. The primary purpose of the inspection is to check on the safety of your new home. If you are financing through FHA, they will send an additional "appraiser" who also looks for safety concerns.

This is a list of what should be covered:

1) An interior and exterior visual inspection to find cracks in walls, floors, ceilings, foundation, masonry and other structures.

2) The roof is checked for leaks and proper installations. Skylights, flashings, gutters, chimneys and fireplaces are checked as well.

3) The inspector should go into the attic to look at the insulation and the venting. Also he will notice if any wiring exists that is unsafe or not to code.

4) All appliances will be run and venting observed. This includes, ovens, stoves, dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposal.

5) Major systems will be turned on and temperature and pressure valves checked for code and proper function. This includes the Air Conditioning, Furnace and Water Heater.

6) Plumbing is visually inspected in all bathrooms and the kitchen and if any evidence of moisture is found, then a moisture reading should take place. If there is evidence of a leak, past or present, your inspector might advise a mold test. This is an additional test and a sample will be sent for lab analysis.

7) Electrical systems include the main panel and sub panel. All fuses checked for function and wiring checked per current code.

8) Pool and spa inspections include the filtration system, electrical lines, gas lines and general condition of the plaster.

Your home inspector should also welcome you to discuss the report a the end of his inspection, and be ready to recommend additional experts you might want to bring in. Such as a mold inspector, electrician, HVAC company, plumber, or geological inspector. These are all specialized inspections that you have a right to have, if needed, as part of the contingency terms.

This is not a complete list, but a buyer needs to know that if he gets a one page report saying in essence "everything is fine." Beware.

Great Western Realty wants you business now and your referrals later. Your agent will make sure you get the most complete home inspection available.