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Many times home inspectors can't fully do what they're supposed to do because certain areas of the home are inaccessible, due to clutter. When it's time for your home inspection, you want to get your money's worth. You don't want the report to say, “Inspection limited due to the excess possessions blocking access and view.”
This isn't about being a neat freak. The American Society of Home Inspectors ASHI ®, Standards of Professional Practice, says inspectors are not to report on components or systems which are not observed. Your inspector isn't required to disturb insulation or move personal items out of the way. If you've got furniture or plants in places your inspector needs to see, like the doorway to a utility closet, you'll have to move that stuff. Clear off any snow and ice if necessary as well.
What if the water heater, electrical panels, or attic are places your home inspector can't get to? Those are areas he must check if your home is to be inspected properly, and if you're going to get the report you need. The bottom line: Don't let junk ruin your home inspection.
In some homes water heaters are found in utility closets or garages. If the water heater is surrounded by clutter, your inspector can't tell if there are possible problems, such as a fire hazard. If an electrical panel has been improperly installed, but is hidden from view, your inspector won't know that, and neither will you. What if that panel causes a fire for the next home owner?
Walk through your home before your home inspection is to take place and make sure all doors and passageways are accessible. Move stored items out of the way or elsewhere altogether. If the home being sold is vacant make sure that the power, water and gas remain on so that all systems are operable and can be inspected.
If items on the report can't be inspected, you as the seller may be asked to have the home inspected again after areas in question have been cleared out. Similarly, if you're the buyer, you can ask for another inspection. Another option is to request that the seller pay for a warranty if a certain component is not inspected.
Granted, if a home to be inspected is being lived in, there will be personal possessions throughout the house. Some areas will be less accessible as a result. If you're the seller, make sure things can be moved out of your inspector's way.
Show some common courtesy and make sure key areas around your property can be seen by your home inspector. You may not be trying to impress him at a dinner party, but you'll make his job easier, and you'll get a more complete report. That, after all, is what you're paying for.
Now that you've decided to purchase a new home, you are probably very excited. However, the process gets a little more frustrating because there are a few hoops you have to jump through. At least it is worth it in the end, but to get to the end it is important to know a few things about the next step in the process. That next step is the home inspection.
You have to have the home inspected to learn of its condition. If there are severe problems, then you can see about having the price of the home reduced. Then again, you can ask the current owner to take care of those problems. It is important to do so because you do not want to pay too much for a home that isn't worth the amount. You also want to know what hazards exist so that severe injury doesn't happen on the property.
Ask questions
Once you have found a good home inspector to inspect your home, you need to tag along during the inspection. That way, you can ask questions and receive answers to those questions. You don't have to stand outside and wonder about anything. Jump in there and talk. Home inspectors have no problem answering your questions, no matter how stupid you may think your questions are. The truth is that there are no stupid questions.
Here are things you want to ask your home inspector during the home inspection:
- Putting all specifics aside, ask your home inspector about anything you may find you're concerned about. Everyone buying a home has different concerns, so be sure to let it all out.
- Ask the inspector if the drainage around the home's exterior is good. You can then ask how you should keep your basement dry, if there is one. You can even ask questions about prolonging the life of roofing and rectifying any other exterior issues.
- Some homes have abandoned oil tanks. You can ask the inspector if there are any signs of such tanks and it will be quite likely that the inspector will tell you to speak with your attorney if signs of oil tanks have been found.
- When it comes to electrical issues, ask the inspector if there is knob and tube wiring or aluminum wiring, especially if the home is old. Both of these can make homeowner's insurance hard to acquire.
- As for plumbing, ask the inspector if the sewer clean out cap is new. If it is, then there may be an issue. Ask the inspector how old the sewer pipes and the plumbing supply pipes are.
- For your heating system, ask the inspector what each of the different parts of the heating system are. Home inspectors like to show how much they know, so they'll be eager to tell you.
- Finally, you want to talk about the structure of the home. You want to make sure it is sturdy. They can tell you about what they can see, but remember that they cannot see what is inside the walls. Many damages within homes can be hidden.
What not to ask
The above serves as a great rundown of what questions to ask during your home inspection. However, there are also questions that shouldn't be asked. These questions include, "Should I buy this home?" "Do you think this home is right for me?" And, "Do you think the price is right?" A home inspector cannot tell you these things. The home inspector provides you with a guide that allows you to make an informed decision regarding whether or not you should purchase the home. The home inspector report also gives you bargaining power if you need it.