Hello there! Thanks for watching the video above and as promised, here is a bit more information on each of the 17 Inspections that could happen on a property you are considering to buy or sell. Additional, specific property inspections could happen, depending on the situation at your home. While I’d like to give price ranges for each inspection, each part of the country has their own unique circumstances, so I advise getting individual quotes for your area.
The best time to address these inspections is prior to the sale of a home or ranch, so if you are considering selling, please call and let’s have a conversation and find out how we can create success from the start.
Ok, ready? Inspections that could happen on the home you are considering buying or selling, include the following.
The first three – Well, Septic and a General Home Inspection – are pretty standard to any home purchase. They are typically paid for by the buyer and can give you a lot of information, including total well production and depth, gallons in septic field and condition of filtration and tanks, and a detailed list of observations and issues within a home. Sellers can also schedule these before the house is listed to address any issues that may present themselves before marketing and have more information on the home they are ready to pass on.
Next, a Roof Inspection could be called for if there is indication of wear from the general home inspection. A roof inspection will involve someone actually getting onto the roof and seeing and feeling the condition of the roof shingles, screws, flashing, and ice dam potential. The inspector will also have a good idea on how much wear life is remaining in the roof and suggest replacement or repair. They can provide an estimate to the buyer.
Going all the way to the bottom, a Foundation Inspection could be requested if the foundation has evidence of shifting or is not properly fastened. Believe or not, there are homes that have a foundation, but are not lashed to the foundation properly. Typically, this would be a modular or engineered home, but I have seen large homes also have foundation issues, including cracking and buckling.
If there is a pool on the property, then getting a Pool Inspection is key. Examining the lining, filtration system, water fill, edging, tiles, stairs, and chemical balance will make your Summers even more awesome if the examination comes back in tip-top shape.
Buying acreage? Then getting a Survey or Acreage Inspection will help you know exactly how much property you are buying. In addition, the surveyor will be able to identify if a building is close to a lot line, or over, whether yours or the neighbors! Generally, they also will provide a topographical map, indicating steep drops and flatter areas for building additional structures. It is also always interesting to see how much the lot lines have changed since the lot was originally platted and the effect on any fencing that may be on the property.
Environmental Studies are helpful if you know of a possible old oil or gas tank buried in the ground. This test is also informative if the property is near an electrical or power plant or built on a landfill. Typically, there is cause for this type of test, as it can be fairly invasive to the property.
Speaking of land, if you plan on having livestock that depends on grazing, a Grazing Study might be helpful to analyze the types of grasses in the fields. If the animals are only left with scrubs, noxious weeds and other types of invasive species, you may not be able to feed your livestock off the land as anticipated.
Rodents, creepy crawlies and little buggers like to spend time inside as well and a Rodent or Pest Inspection might be good to get if there is indication of a problem from the General Home Inspection. Rodents who dig under homes can cause foundation problems and scurrying creatures at night may cause the dog or cat to go nuts. Best to get a handle on the issue before moving in!
Love that wood burning fireplace, but notice the chimney is a bit crooked? A Chimney Inspection will help figure out if the chimney is in fine shape, or if it needs to be rebuilt. A lot of chimneys used to be cinder block and many of the newer fireplaces are back vented or use a metal pipe inside the chimney to handle a more efficient flow. Knowing what can happen in the chimney based on age and condition will help Santa always visit!
Windows let the light in and a Window Inspection will determine if a window has failed, or if the seal needs replacing, or if the glass needs replacing. Those gigantic surfaces of glass in our mountain homes can suffer from UV rays destroying the window sill and the window glass. If a window is cloudy, discolored, or has moisture in it, you may want to get this inspection.
To balance the light from windows, the lights and fans in each room will need to be in proper working condition. An Electrical Inspection helps to identify any issues with the general power coming to the home, the electrical panel capacity, properly wired homes and any issues with appliances or wiring. If the home has cloth wires and ceramic knobs, instead of an electrical panel, then I suggest this inspection to give you additional information.
A Soils / Landscaping Inspection will help you figure out how difficult it will be to build on the site you are admiring. Drainage to keep water away from a structure is critical to long term life of the home. If soils are not appropriate to building, then additional measures such as blasting, or drilling may be needed to get a home situated in the right spot.
What about those homes built prior to 1978? A Lead Based Paint Inspection may need to be done to double check all window casings, walls, stair banisters, and other painted items. Turns out that while the lead helped the paint be applied better, it’s completely toxic. The EPA has imposed some serious fines if you start renovating a home that then tests positive for lead based paint. Get the inspection if there is a question and plan accordingly.
In the mountains, there is the potential for a home to have radon and a Radon Inspection is the best way to determine what your home value is. Radon mitigation is a fairly simple process of filtering the air and getting it up to the roof line. Knowing what the levels are beats a litany of health issues down the way.
Finally, the environmental and health problems caused from a sick home are real. Getting a Mold, Asbestos and Water Inspection can suss out any issues that have to do with improper water handling, improper venting, or other building and weather issues. Any home can have these conditions, not just older ones. When in doubt, get the home inspected.
Well, I hope this list provided a quick overview of the 17 inspections that could be done on a home you are considering buying or selling. I am happy to have a conversation if you have questions about any of these. I am not an inspector or an environmental specialist, but I do advise on what to get inspected and why.
Should you be considering selling or buying and don’t want the pushy hassle factor of normal sales people, give me a call. I serve a smaller clientele with top notch customer service. Have a great week and good luck in the home buying or selling process!!