Best house inspection articles


New Construction Inspections

Within the real estate industry, there iscloset  doors.
some ongoing debate about whether new homes
should have home inspections or not. ThisIf you look at this list, which is certainly
debate goes on in the minds of many buyersnot inclusive, most of the significant things
who want to save any cash they can. And thefound are still routine and easy for the
new home builder is, obviously, all forbuilder, or his crew with their tools, to
waiving a home inspection. So, often, theremedy. On the other side of the coin, if the
decision as to whether the house is inspectedaverage homeowner has to fix some of these
or not, comes down to what is recommended byissues after closing, it is a really big
the buyer's realtor. As a realtor, who hashassle that will require lots of elbow grease
found myself in that position more than once,and needlessly spending dollars out of
I am going to give you my opinion on thispocket. Since those buyers are my clients,
matter.and I want them to be happy with their
purchase and to refer my name to their
It is my experience that, almost never, arefriends and family, it is my goal to see to
issues found at new homes that are "dealit that all of the significant problems have
killers." However, that does not mean thatbeen discovered and resolved prior to
numerous problems have not been found.closing. Let's face it, it is only fair that
Usually, the problems at newer homes are ofall of the significant costs should be paid
the punch list variety -- where the homeby the builder -- whose role in the
inspector's list is given to the builder andtransaction was to properly build a home and
the crew or sub contractors complete theirsupply my clients with a house that was ready
project. Here are examples of common newto  move  into.
construction issues found by home inspectors
in  my  market:Sometimes, mistakenly so, a client who does
not want to pay for an inspection, hopes that
Significant standing water in the crawl spacethe municipal code inspectors have covered
because drainage concerns were not addressed;the bases. That is seldom the case because
crawl space vents that are below grade;those components and systems the code
concrete poured up over the wood trim on theinspector looks for are basic and these
home; furnace ducts that are not hooked intopeople seldom actually get inside crawl
the system; condensate drains from thespaces, attics and areas a home inspector
furnace and TPR drains from the water heaterroutinely views. I have written a previous
that are routed under the home; missingarticle on this fallacy of the code inspector
flashing or loose and improperly nailedbeing  a  substitute  for  a home inspection.
shingles; the pressure test cap left on the
main sewer vent; sinks or toilets with drainsAnother thought is that the builder's home
that are not plumbed into the system; gutterswarranty can replace the need for a home
with inadequate slope; doors and windows thatinspection. In my experience that is a big
do not operate; missing or unsafe handrailsrisk, and not a wise gamble, and I will be
at steps and guardrails on high decks;writing another article on that in the near
appliances not wired or plumbed in; propanefuture. For now, it should be clear from my
appliances not converted to gas, so theycomments here, that I always recommend that
operate like flame throwers; gas fireplacesmy clients, whether they are buying a new or
not hooked to the gas; whirlpool tubs notan old home, should pay a few extra dollars
wired into the system; dryer ducts that emptyand have an independent home inspection by a
under the home; missing or failed GFCIstate licensed structural pest inspector who
outlets, grounding problems and otheris also a competent residential home
electrical issues; missing door stops and outinspector.
of adjustment interior doors, cupboards or



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