What I need know about house inspection? (buyers, property, foundation)

[greenthinker]

I am a first time home buyer. I am going to find an inspectior. What I need to look for when inspecting the house? Anything particularly important? Thank you.

[George Chong]

Is there any type of certification for home inspectors in your state? If so, make sure that you hire one that is licensed.

Do you think the house/property has any specific issue? For example, does it possibly have foundation issues? Hire a home inspector that has a background in civil engineering.

How will you receive the report? The home inspection company I recommend sends it with photos in a PDF format via email so my out of town clients can easily review the report too.

How will the roof be inspected? Will the inspector climb on top of the roof to inspect?

Just some items to think about.

I always suggest that a home buyer show up at the last 30 minutes to an hour of the inspection. That way you give the home inspector the latitude to do their job and then you can receive the "Reader's Digest" version and ask any questions and see for your own two eyes what the findings are. Trust me, you will forget half the items that were discussed

Good luck!

[middle-aged mom]

Originally Posted by George Chong

I always suggest that a home buyer show up at the last 30 minutes to an hour of the inspection. That way you give the home inspector the latitude to do their job and then you can receive the "Reader's Digest" version and ask any questions and see for your own two eyes what the findings are. Trust me, you will forget half the items that were discussed

Good luck!

I almost alwasy insist that the buyers are present for the entire home inspection. It's their one opportunity to understand how their house to be, actually works.

[shellytc]

me too, mom : )

Plan to take the time off work, bring all your HOW DOES THIS WORK, AND WHEN DO I CHANGE THE FILTERS AND WHERE ARE THE FILTERS? questions with you. You are paying for this inspection, get your monies worth!!

shelly

[greenthinker]

Thank you for your good suggestion! I will develop a check list.

[Silverfall]

I third MAM's advice. Be there for the entire inspection. It is a great opportunity to learn where the shut off valves are, how to get the filter out of the furnace, etc.

The home inspector should look at every system. What we do out here is start with the regular home inspection and then take other inspections from there. Unless there is something obvious like a huge foundation bulge/crack that we know we need to have a foundation contractor look at.

[Chuckity]

I 4th it.

Be there for the whole thing.

Truthfully, I wish I would've had a super duper inspector when we bought this house - the reports now are awesome! Pictures with arrows and information on how to shut the water off, what this does, etc - one of my fav inspectors does that AND tags everything with paper tags.

You can learn so much from a good inspector. Be there or be square.

[TexasHorseLady]

Absolutely, be there! Don't be afraid to ask questions, either, whether they are about the inspector's findings or about how to keep something working that is.

Ask said, unless there's something like the foundation that you strongly suspect has issues, just get a regular inspection first (if the house is on septic, DO get the septic inspected - some inspectors do this as a part of the regular inspection, but at extra cost, but it's definitely worth it, and DO get a termite inspection). If there are indications of issues with major systems, the inspector will let you know and you can get a professional in that field out to take a closer look.

[George Chong]

I should elaborate too, that the company that I suggest for home inspections also gives the Buyer a complete manual on home maintenance with schedules and maintenance tips.

[greenthinker]

I learned some much from you guys! Thank you all for the great contributions!