Don’t Buy A House Without A Home Inspection First!

The excitement builds as you house hunt, looking for the perfect home. When you finally find it, you want to rush right in and buy it before someone else locates your perfect find. But, buying a home is one of the biggest financial transactions you will probably make in your life. Thus, it must be done properly. That perfect home may not be so perfect once you move in and start finding problems, such as a leaky roof, an air conditioning unit that gives out after 10 minutes of running, or a flood problem you didn’t notice because it hasn’t rained for weeks.

Home Inspections Round Rock TxA home buyer must complete many things during the process of the home, and it can be stressful. You have the stress of getting the tons of documents the underwriter requests. You have the stress of waiting for underwriting to see if the loan will go through. You have to schedule a survey, an appraisal, get insurance on the home and, only then, if everything goes well, must attend the closing.

During all of this it is easy to forget that the seller may not be completely up front with you. This is where a good home inspection Round Rock comes in. An experienced home inspector that is licensed checks for several things, including the roof, appliances, HVAC unit, the structure of the home, the foundation and the property.

While a roof may look okay from the ground, a patch could be temporary and could leak, causing mold and other damage. The home inspector inspects the roof and inside the home for signs of previous leaks and shoddy repairs. The inspector will also inspect other trouble spots, such as flooding problems, cracks in the foundation and signs that the home has settled too much. If a home settles too much, it will cause cracks on the walls. The soil under the foundation could be washed out if the property regularly floods, which could cause the home to move.

A home inspection should be one of the first things you do after you sign the initial contract and put the good faith money down on the property. Ensure that the contract says that pricing and/or follow-through on the contract is subject to a home inspection report. Once you receive the report from the home inspector Round Rock, you will be armed with the information needed to negotiate the price of the home.

If the repairs are not extensive, you can negotiate the price of the home down for the cost of the repairs, or you can request that the seller fix the problems. If the seller agrees to repair the problems, call the experienced and licensed inspectors at Complete Home Inspections for a re-inspection to ensure the seller completed repairs in a satisfactory manner.

If the home inspection Round Rock report shows extensive damage, you will be able to back out of the contract or severely negotiate the price of the home down. Though, if the home inspector Round Rock finds extensive structural damage, flooding problems or other problems with the property that are very expensive to repair, you may want to move on to the next home. As a reminder, always have an attorney review the contract and make sure that wording is included that action on the contract is contingent upon the results of the home inspection.

{ 0 comments }

Choosing An Austin Home Inspector

Before choosing just any Austin home inspector, check the inspector’s credentials. An Austin home inspector must be certified to provide a certified home inspection. But, being certified doesn’t necessarily mean experienced. Complete Home Inspections has certified and experienced home inspectors.Austin Home Inspector Round Rock

The State of Texas requires inspectors must inspect and certify homes in compliance with the Standards of Practice. Complete Home Inspection Austin Tx ensures that your inspection is done up to these standards because it knows that a home purchase is the biggest purchase you will make in your life. When purchasing a home, you don’t want to have to put work into it in the first few months, especially if the home was inspected and the inspection said that everything was fine.

Roof and structural repairs are expensive, so before you buy a home, unless you are looking for a handyman special, you want to make sure the home is as the seller says. An Austin home inspector will tell you if the roof really is five years old. The inspector will tell you if there was any settling evident because of washouts, earthquakes or other natural disasters. Sometimes sellers hide defects in the home, just so they can wash their hands of the home. A good inspector will be able to find gross defects in the structure or the roof.

Complete Home Inspection also inspects the foundation and the surrounding property; the air conditioning, heating and plumbing; and the electrical and smoke detectors, among other things. Once the Austin home inspector finishes the inspection, he will create a final report, including pictures. When you get the report, you should go over it carefully to determine whether you still want to purchase the home at the agreed upon price or you want to back out because the home has too many defects.

While reviewing the report, our inspectors will answer any questions you may have about our findings. We will also offer suggestions and recommendations for repairing problems. Complete Home Inspections inspects new construction, existing homes, condominiums, duplexes and more.

A person or company that is buying or selling may require a home inspection. You may require a home inspection if you are maintaining a property. You may have a renter that is ready to move out. Our inspectors can inspect the rental to make sure the renter did not do any damage and to make sure the home is ready for the next renter.

You should always ask to see a sample home inspection report. Complete Home Inspections has a sample report right one its web site. Also, do not wait until the last minute to get the home inspection. A home inspection may save you money in the long run — it could keep you from purchasing a structurally unsound home or a home with too many non-structural defects. The home inspection report could also be useful in getting a seller to come down on his price, or to request that the seller make certain repairs. If the seller agrees to make repairs, call Complete Home Inspections for a re-inspection.

We provide Home Inspections to: Austin Tx, Leander, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Hutto, Lakeway, Dripping Springs, and surrounding areas.

{ 0 comments }

Upon Taking Ownership

After taking
possession of a new home, there are some maintenance and safety issues that
should be addressed immediately. The following checklist should help you
undertake these improvements:

-Change the locks on all exterior
entrances, for improved security.

-Check that all windows and doors are
secure. Improve window hardware as necessary. Security rods can be added to
sliding windows and doors. Consideration could also be given to a security
system.

-Install smoke detectors on each level of the home. Ensure that
there is a smoke detector outside all sleeping areas. Replace batteries on any
existing smoke detectors and test them. Make a note to replace batteries again
in one year.

-Create a plan of action in the event of a fire in your
home. Ensure that there is an operable window or door in every room of the
house. Consult with your local fire department regarding fire safety issues and
what to do in the event of fire.

-Examine driveways and walkways for
trip hazards. Undertake repairs where necessary.

-Examine the interior
of the home for trip hazards. Loose or torn carpeting and flooring should be
repaired.

-Undertake improvements to all stairways, decks, porches and
landings where there is a risk of falling or stumbling.

-Review your
home inspection report for any items that require immediate improvement or
further investigation. Address these areas as required.

-Install rain
caps and vermin screens on all chimney flues, as necessary.

-Investigate
the location of the main shut-offs for the plumbing, heating and electrical
systems. If you attended the home inspection, these items would have been
pointed out to you.

Sample Home Inspection Report

Home Inspection Report

Click to view Home Inspection Report (pdf)

Sample Home Inspection Report (pdf)

Questions you should ask when choosing a home inspector

Certified home inspectors are your best defense against unwanted surprises after you move into your new home.

Here are some questions you should ask when selecting home inspectors.

[click to continue…]

What is a home inspection?

A home inspection is a professional, objective, visual examination of the condition of a home. Home buyers now entering the marketplace view inspections as a way to gain valuable information about the biggest purchase of their lifetime. It helps them to determine whether there are any major defects or system inadequacies at the time of purchase.

In most cases, home inspections are performed after the sales contract has been accepted by the seller. A sales contract is conditional upon a satisfactory home inspection. The inspection can usually be arranged immediately to within a few days. The home buyer is typically encouraged to attend the inspection, so that he/she can see first hand the workings of the home. It also provides an excellent opportunity for the prospective buyer to ask questions about the home or to discuss potential changes.

[click to continue…]

Termites and what they can do.

SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES

These termites always have their nest in the ground. To reach their food,
which is your house, they must find a way to travel back and forth. This they do
through tubes, which they construct. The tubes serve to protect them from their
enemies when they leave the ground in search for food. The presence of
subterranean termites in your house is usually detected by the appearance of
these tubes.