Are you planning to sell a home? If you are, be reminded that home buyers are almost certain to hire a professional home inspector before purchasing your home. The idea is to take a closer look at the house before buying so that they can be sure the home is in good condition. Who in his right mind would want to buy a house that has major issues?
What if I told you that you could speed the process up, and even avoid possible problems that may affect or hinder your potential home sale. Did you know you could hire a qualified home inspector before listing your house, so you could make the necessary repairs long before you put the house up for sale. Of course, the home inspector is supposed to cover a number of important systems and parts of the home. However, there are ‘hot spots’ or usual areas of the house that most buyers worry a lot about.
First, mold and mildew stains with accompanying odors almost always scare prospective home buyers. Mold and mildew presence may pose health risks because the fungi may be carried by ventilation and the air to be breathed by inhabitants. Mildew odors also automatically point to a very moist basement or crawlspace. Take note that constant moisture deteriorates materials in buildings, and can also attract insects like termites and carpenter ants. Moisture may also lead to suspicions about the drainage system, the roofing, the water flow, and even to possible foundation problems.
Roofs and chimneys are of course main concerns. Roofs function as natural protection of the entire house against harsh sunlight and torrential rains. Home inspectors naturally complete a thorough inspection of the roofing system because doing so is very important. As for the chimneys, the base’s flashing system should be watertight. The bricks and mortar should always be in excellent condition, the flue clean, and a spark arrestor/rain cap should be installed.
The plumbing system is an important area because no home buyer would want to encounter any problem with it. The home inspector will check water pressure by flushing toilets and turning on different faucets at the same time. Several inspectors may go as far as checking the septic system. However, in most cases, septic and sewerage inspections would have to be referred to specialists who know more about them. At Veteran Home Inspections, we can check both the septic system and the underground drain lines in addition to a regular home inspection.
The electrical system is always a cause of alarm. Many home fires occur because of faulty electrical wiring. Inspectors should be able to identify such faulty and troublesome wiring. Circuit breakers and panels should be configured appropriately to run adequately and cater to the house’s needs. They will also check the quality and safety of receptacles, outlets, lighting systems, and electrical box. Professional electricians are needed to do a more thorough and more accurate electrical system check.
Other hot spots for home inspections include cooling and heating systems, foundation and structure, and appliances. Security alarms like smoke and burglar detectors should also be functional. Overall, you should hire a home inspector with the aim to make the necessary repairs so your home sale process runs smoothly.
Of course, home buyers always have the option to hire their own home inspection, but wouldn’t it be nice to know that there won’t be any surprises?
We have a dedicated program built specifically for pre-listing inspections, that will not only help you sell your home faster, but also for more money. For more information about the program, visit http://vhillc.com/move-in-certified/ and give us a call today at 210-202-1974 to schedule your pre-listing inspection.