Home Inspections

[Jamen]

Thanks everyone!! There is some great information here!

 

[buckbull]

Termites…..I paid extra for a Termite inspection after my realtor talked me into it. Never heard of anyone having Termites before.
Inspection came back good, but 3 months after buying the house, I found Termites and structural damage.
Inspection company went good on it and admitted they messed up.
They covered thousands of dollars in repairs and Termite eradication.

Termites!









Father-in-law and I did all the work ourselves but still spent $6000 on new door, trim, tile etc.

 

[FrozenTexan]

Working in the septic industry, I'll echo to be sure to have the septic system checked. Both the tank pumped and a boring or two into the drainfield to see the condition of the stone. If its on a well have it sampled.

I've been let down by home inspectors missing stuff to many times, so my advice is to contact the municipality that does the building inspections in the area and hire one of their inspectors to come out to check plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and structural stuff. I'd pay a little extra to get specialists out there in those trades to know there aren't any surprises than save a few hundred dollars on a general home inspection.

 

[recon6036]

Termites!

Nasty little Bastards!

 

[Kaitum]

Depending on what state you're in, a septic inspection (in addition to a clean out) may be required separately from the home inspection. It was when I bought in NM and the seller was required to pay for it. That was just the tank, not the drain lines.

Another item on our last home purchase (as a buyer) that I hadn't dealt with previously: the home inspector may point out issues but it was up to me as the buyer to have a professional give their assessment of the actual problem if I wanted the sellers to fix that problem. For example, the home inspector noted the roof may need replacing. Then I had to get a roofing contractor to give me his assessment to verify what the home inspector noted. Same with electrical, I had to follow up with an electrician. It wasn't such a big deal but you're under a time crunch to have the inspection completed and final ask submitted to the sellers. Getting a licensed roofer or electrician to responded on your schedule isn't always that easy.

 

[BigGameDIY]

I was the 4th owner of a home. Presumably was inspected previously. I hired an ispector suggested by the realtor. Minor things were found which would be expected as was not new build and was not a fixer upper.

I went to sell a few years later and the buyer's inspector noted there was Contruction debris in the crawl zone under the home. He was right. My guy missed it. Likely several inspectors missed it.

Debris under the house is Pest inspection things, home inspection should make some note on the report if he notice them. Get pest inspection in addition to the home inspection, it is cheaper than home inspection.

 

[JEL]

I think the first leg of the stool is your realtor. Do your research. Get one that actually listens too and works for you rather than someone who just needs a sale. Our realtor is very experienced and established. She isn’t just out to make a quick buck and she would never suggest a less than stellar inspector.

 

[BigGameDIY]

In my experience home inspections are cursory, seems like most folks in the real estate industry just want the deal to go through as quickly as possible.

I don't think it is true, very often inspectors are deal breakers.

First of all, choose your agent and inspectors wisely. Second, GO TO INSPECTION, this is your chance to talk to professional AND ASK QUESTIONS.

Most common inspections are: home inspection, pest inspection, roof inspection, foundation inspection, septic inspection(must order if there is septic on the property, seller usually pays for pumping and inspection), mold inspection, chimney inspection, HVAC inspection, and much more, your agent should give you Buyer Instructions Advisory with full list of inspections available.

Do not get overwhelmed with all of those inspections, on your offer ask seller to pay for septic pumping and inspection if there is a septic, you can ask seller to pay for Pest inspection to the inspector of your choice, depends on the situation. Once you get contract signed, start with Home and Pest inspections, GO to inspections and ask question then you will see if you really need any additional inspections.

Dont let long list of small issues on the report scare you, check for major issues like structural, foundation, roof, septic talk leakage, septic leaches problem, etc. You can ask seller to do repairs. Work with your agent, ask questions, dont let your agent make any decisions for you, agent is your assistant, you are the boss.

Last thing, agents will hate me for this but they should act at the best interest of their clients, DO NOT sign agreement with your agent. Yes, it is unethical to work with multiple agents at the same time, illegal to change your agent during the transaction, but you should be able to change your agent if he/she is not doing his/her job.

 

[Gunner46]

1st. I went with some of my trusted peoples advice and hired Rocket Mortgage (can I say that?)

They took off the launch pad and it was eazzy-pezzy from the get go.

After working with my realtor for a couple months, I had confidence with her recommendation, Greg. She was right in sending him my way and he did me well. Took a couple/three tries, but when he said "F'n Hell No" I believed him. When he told me " Ya got a good one here", I didn't blink and made the offer. It wasn't a 30 min run through. Greg gave me an honest Hard-Core "I'm going to tell why Not to buy his place".

I never plan to buy again, because I got what I wanted/needed, but I hope you can have the same experience I just did. Good Luck.

 

[fmnjr]

talk to some realtors, the good ones will know which inspectors are worth a sh*t