A-Z Home Inspections, Inc.

10/21/2023

Benefits of a home inspection

Identifying potential problems with a property and its associated costs.
Empowering buyers to make more informed decisions.
Minimizing repairs needed after closing.
Making the buying process smoother and more efficient.
Helping during negotiations if issues are found.

10/09/2023

Use these 10 steps to start preparing your home and property now, so when that first surprise freeze hits, your home will be ready for winter.

10/08/2023

The Importance of Getting a Home Inspection
Posted on February 18, 2021 by Paul Sian
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The Importance of Getting a Home Inspection
The importance of getting a home inspection should never be overlooked. Inspecting the condition and safety of a home before closing can help you identify safety issues such as mold, electrical issues, carbon monoxide fire hazards, defective roofing, radon, and more.

Any major issue will cause unnecessary spending and heartache once you have moved into the new home. A home inspection performed by a qualified home inspector is a form of insurance and well worth the cost.

Homebuyers are reminded not to overlook the home’s residential property disclosure form and look for possible safety issues or hazards that the seller notes. Understanding the condition you are buying is one of the essential considerations when buying your first home.

Keep in mind the disclosure form is not the end all be all form regarding home conditions. Certain red flags that home buyers should look out for include structural, mechanical, orImportance of Getting a Home Inspectionelectrical issues that can be costly to repair.

Make sure to share any concerns with the selected home inspector so they can closely look at those conditions and provide guidance as to what, if anything, may need to be done.

The home inspector will tell you if the home is in bad enough condition that would warrant getting out of the transaction.

In real estate circles, these are known as home inspection deal breakers.

Importance of Getting a Home Inspection

Choosing A Home Inspector
Homebuyers should not be choosing the first home inspector they hear of, whether by referral from their agent or the first name that pops up in an internet search.

Careful attention should be paid to reviews left by other home buyers about the quality of the home inspector’s services.

While a referral from real estate agents may be nice, there is always the risk that the inspector is some part of a referral program where they have to pay to be on that agent’s list, or in order to stay on that agent’s list, they try not to “kill” deals by scaring off buyers.

A home inspector needs to be fully qualified and while certifications are great, having done multiple home inspections is even better.

By having done many home inspections, home inspectors become better at spotting issues and knowing which issues require a second look by a professional in that field.

A good inspector will recognize a problem area and then suggest the home buyer bring in a professional in that field to give a definite diagnosis as to the condition.

Major Areas That Are Usually Inspected:
Downspouts and rain gutters
Leaky downspouts and gutters can cause premature wear on the surface areas on the outside of the home. Even worse, they can eventually allow water into the home, causing mold issues, wood rot, and more.
Roof, ceilings, walls, and floors
The roof is one of the most critical components of the home and keeps the elements out. The ceilings, walls, and floors are basically the interior four corners of the home. Problems seen in any of these areas can indicate larger hidden problems.
Attic space, garage, and basement
Without proper insulation in the attic can be a major source of energy loss and high utility bills. Garage and basement cracks can mean slipping foundations or bad drainage.
House foundation, windows, and doors
See below for more information on the structure/foundation of the home. Windows and doors will be affected in a home that has a shifting foundation.
Ventilation, cooling, and heating system
This is what will keep the interior of the home well regulated. It can account for a major portion of the utility bill if the system is old, outdated, or broken. Bad heating systems can be dangerous for one’s health due to the leaking of toxic gasses!
Water heater, faucets, and plumbing fixtures
Leaking water in sinks from faucets means pouring money down the drain. Leaking plumbing behind walls will cause greater damage over time.
Power outlets, light switches, and electrical panel
Electrical problems can cause shocks or electrical fires.
Structural or foundation issues are serious conditions with a home that should not be ignored. Foundation issues that are left untreated can lead to more damage and possible safety issues such as cracks, sloped floors, or even the roof failing, which will lead to water intrusion.

Any gaps and cracks in the foundation or structure of the home can also let in pests that can make a living in the home uncomfortable. Homebuyers should be familiar with all the above aspects of their home as any issues can pop up during normal homeownership.

Home Inspections Can Uncover Illegal Additions
Illegal additions are those done without the proper permits and inspections. Sometimes contractors do unpermitted work in order to save money. That money savings can also come at the expense of quality work as well.

A qualified home inspector can identify the quality of work done on home additions/remodels. Work done without permits could require the homeowner to have the work undone at their own expense or be forced to have every aspect of the project rechecked in order to qualify for the permit.

The new permitting process to get work illegally done properly permitted will cost much more than if the work was properly permitted.

A Home Inspection Gives Peace of Mind
The home inspector provides a deep dive into the quality and operation of a new home which can help home buyers know whether the home they are in contract to purchase is worth the price.

Home inspectors will provide an unbiased opinion on the home as they work for the home buyer and not for the seller or any of the real estate agents involved.

Furthermore, having a property inspected before the purchase can help you make sound decisions about whether that home has all the qualities that you want in it. It can also help identify the pros and cons of the house since it will help point out things that are not always readily visible.

If there are issues that the home inspection uncovered (such as ventilation, doors, windows, insulation, crawl space, fireplaces, electrical wiring, water drainage, smoke detectors, etc.), you can discuss these issues with your real estate agent and use them to negotiate a price reduction or repair of the home before you close on the purchase.

Alternatively, if the issues are too much, the home buyer can cancel the deal and walk away.

If no major flaws were found upon inspection, the home buyer can now have peace of mind and rest assured that the home they are about to purchase is a good investment and move-in-ready.

Final Thoughts
A home inspection is an important part of buying a home. Under no circumstances should a buyer offer to waive an inspection in order to make their offer more competitive. Buyer remorse will be even worse once the buyer moves into a home that was not inspected and realizes there are many repair and maintenance issues required to have the homework for them.

The importance of getting a home inspection should never be understated.

This entry was posted in Home Inspections by Paul Sian. Bookmark the permalink.

About Paul Sian
Real estate agent with United Real Estate Home Connections licensed in the states of Ohio and Kentucky working primarily in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky real estate markets. Specialize in investment real estate, residential and high end real estate.
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08/24/2023

8 Ways to Passively Cool Your Home, Office
August 23, 2023Energy Efficiency and Climate Change, Residential Real EstateBy: Melissa Dittmann Tracey
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Nearly 109 million people in the U.S. are under excessive heat warnings this week. Here’s how to keep your indoor space cool while moderating your energy costs.
Woman sitting in front of fan in home
© Liudmila Chernetska - iStock/Getty Images Plus
As temperatures soar in many areas across the country, homeowners are looking for relief while also keeping their utility bills in check.

Steve Wilson, director of technical underwriting at home insurance group Hippo, says “passively cooling” your home will put less burden on your air conditioning to manage the indoor temperatures. After all, he warns, cranking up the AC to lower the indoor temperature will cause your system to work harder and lead to soaring energy costs. Wilson’s advice: Keep the thermostat to a commonly maintained temperature throughout the day—it should vary no more than 10 to 15 degrees, even while you’re away—and rely on other steps to keep your home cool.

“Surprisingly, there are things you can do to keep cool while maintaining your energy costs and, in turn, energy usage by maximizing efficiency of cooling systems through DIY home maintenance and upgrades,” Wilson says. He offers the following tips:

Close the blinds. Using window coverings can reduce heat entering the home by up to 77%, according to the Department of Energy. To block as much heat from entering as possible, use blackout or light-colored curtains with plastic backings, Wilson says.
Open interior doors. This will allow air to move freely throughout the house, Wilson says. However, “if there’s a room in your home with a lot of windows, keeping the door closed is the best way to keep cool air inside,” he adds.
Run ceiling fans in reverse. Have a fan rotating counterclockwise so that it pushes air down to the floor and creates a cool breeze for the room. Ceiling fans can help lessen the burden on your air conditioner.
Install window film. This can help block heat while still retaining light and not interrupting views from the home. Add this special film around the windows to help reduce cool air from escaping your home.
Remove incandescent lightbulbs. These bulbs produce as much heat as they do light. Instead, use compact fluorescent lamps and LED lighting, Wilson suggests.
Watch your electronic usage. Many electronics can give off heat. “If you’re not using the printer, toaster or microwave, it might make sense to leave it unplugged,” particularly in the evening when you’re not using them, Wilson says. Also, avoid using appliances that let off excessive heat, such as a dryer, until temperatures drop in the evening. This will help avoid bringing extra heat inside your home.
Check your home’s insulation. Insulation isn’t just for heating a home; it can help cool it, too. “Insulation is a layer of material in your walls, ceiling, floor and roof that moderates the temperature inside your home,” Wilson says. “It helps block the heat from entering your home.”
Use houseplants to absorb heat. Place sun-loving plants in the windows. They can help absorb solar energy, Wilson says. In fact, a NASA study(link is external) shows that plants can “sweat,” which ultimately helps remove heat from your indoor air and provides a subtle cooling effect.

05/16/2023

A-Z Home Inspections, Inc.
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05/14/2023

🏡👀 You know that selling a home in today's market requires more than just putting up a "For Sale" sign. And a lot can hinge on things that your seller does or doesn't do. 💪 Here's the 7 habits highly effective sellers! http://rltor.cm/cxtfqt

05/11/2023

A finial walk through is your last chance to catch things before you sign the paperwork. Here are some things to look for when walking through the house

05/08/2023

These are good ball park figures as you start looking to buy. But always talk with the direct person in each area to get your true numbers.

03/11/2023

As a Home Inspector I welcome questions from my clients. Here is a article from Realtor.com with a list of possible questions to ask your home inspector. Don't ever feel that there are questions that you should not ask. This is a to large of a purchase to have left questions on the table. We here at A-Z Home Inspections are here to answer questions. Please call or email we are here to help. 708-302-2322 or [email protected]

Home buying is an exciting time! If you're buying a house, here's what to ask during a home inspection, plus specific questions to ask a home inspector.

12/26/2022

12/13/2022

Also remember to have the house you are buying inspected. For the little time and money it cost compared to major repair down the road, it is in the buyers best interest. We are here for you at A-Z Home Inspections.