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Here Good News Home Inspection
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Why get a Home Inspection? The purchasers of real estate usually include pre-purchase home inspection clauses in their contracts to use the services of home inspectors as part of the purchase process. Having someone that has no financial interest in the property to thoroughly examine a house and document the findings for the buyer has gained wide acceptance. The home inspection industry provides people with the objective information they need to make smart decisions about buying, maintaining, repairing, and improving houses. Most home inspectors have professional backgrounds in home building, contracting, architecture, or engineering. Most states have real-estate disclosure laws that either encourage or require the owner to disclose "known defects" in a house before it's sold, although these laws provide the buyer only a small measure of protection. The house may have defects that are completely unknown to the owner, or a major system is close to failure. Many sellers are not aware of the condition of their homes aside from the areas that they normally occupy. The furnace heat exchanger, water heater, air conditioning evaporator and condenser coils, electrical panel, roof, attic, crawl space, etc. are areas that homeowners don't normally see. What a buyer can expect from a Home Inspection is that the major flaws, or their early conditions, will be uncovered and the buyer can budget for any needed repairs or adjust the purchase price. The buyer needs to have someone who can provide good, objective information. The verbal and written information the inspector provides can give a prospective home buyer important leverage when it comes to negotiating the price and making other adjustments in the contract. The inspector is usually hired after a house is select and an offer to purchase is delivered to the seller. The realtor's agent will normally write the purchase contract and include the contingency clauses related to the findings of a professional inspector that the buyer wants. The listing realtor will often recommend that the seller purchase a "Home Warranty" insurance policy that is supposed to protect the seller during the listing period and the buyer for a period, usually one year, after the sale or closing. Usually all of the home systems or components are not covered and there are often pre-existing conditions clauses. Home inspectors typically perform a complete visual inspection of the house, both inside and out. This includes the foundation, heating and air-conditioning systems, plumbing, electrical system, shingles, rain gutters, siding, attic, and garage. However, home inspectors will not usually inspect or report on systems or components that aren't readily accessible. A lot of information and advice can be acquired by accompanying inspectors on their tours. In fact, some inspectors insist that you go along. In addition to the verbal information you pick up during the inspection, you'll receive a written report that describes the overall condition of the property, identifies any household systems or components that are in need of immediate or near-term repair or replacement, and outlines any health or safety-related concerns that the inspector may have about the house. Together they should examine all of the exterior and interior, the foundation, framing, or masonry along with each of the electrical and mechanical systems. The inspector should get on, or at least very close to, the roof, enter and examine the whole accessible attic and crawl spaces, and operate many of the doors and windows. He should test electrical outlets and fixtures, furnaces, central cooling systems, plumbing fixtures and piping, sweep the interior walls and ceiling with a bright light, remove electrical outlets and furnace to examine the interior to determine their age, and operate all fixtures and appliances. The inspector should encourage many questions and provide the buyer with a clear, written report that can be used to complete the home purchase with the confidence that a good investment has been made.
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Richard Cook
Code Certified SBCCI 11753
ICC: 5136661 Member G.R.E.H.I. GA License: 19999014651
770.490.8120
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