Hiring a Home Inspector

It's often said that one of the most expensive and important purchases you will ever make will be your home. However, unlike the guarantee a buyer receives with most purchases, there's no money-back guarantee or return policy if you're not satisfied with your recently purchased home. Once you buy a home, you're on your own to maintain it, repair it, anticipate problems and pay the bills. This is why it's best to know as much as you can about potential problems before you make the commitment to buy.

What home and property inspectors do

One of the best ways to understand about a home's condition, habitability and safety is to hire a professional home inspector. A properly trained home inspector will review your house as a system, looking at how one component of the house might affect the operability or lifespan of another. Home inspectors will go through the property and perform a comprehensive visual inspection to assess the condition of the house and all of its systems. They will determine the components that are not performing properly as well as items that are beyond their useful life or are unsafe. They will also identify areas where repairs may be needed or where there may have been problems in the past. Inspections are intended to provide the client with a better understanding of property conditions, as observed at the time of the inspection.

Home Buyers

A home inspection usually takes place when a home is listed on the market or when an offer has been made on the house. The inspection usually occurs within ten days from the date the contract was accepted.

A home inspection is an objective visual examination, of readily accessible areas, of the physical structure and the systems of the home. The purpose of the inspection is to inform the buyer of the condition of the home so they will have a better understanding of the home before purchasing.

One of the greatest challenges for home buyers is to find a qualified home inspector. This is a daunting task in an industry where inspectors come and go weekly, and qualifications range from highly experienced and trained inspectors to those inspectors that have little or no experience or training. You might say it's a roll of the dice to find the right inspector!

Relax . . . You can feel comfortable selecting Amerites team to be your home inspector . . . and here’s why!

• We do more than inspect . . . we consult and educate.
• Each Amerites inspector has been professionally trained and certified
• Comprehensive and detailed inspection 
• Computerized reports
• Unique report packaging and delivery methods

Pre-Listing Inspection

If you are thinking of selling your home, you might want to consider having a pre-listing inspection prior to listing your home. In today’s real estate market, homebuyers can afford to be choosy. A pre-listing inspection, sets the stage for a more qualified sale and provides an opportunity to receive an unbiased, objective evaluation of the current condition of your home by a third party. Like any home seller, you want to get the most dollars for your home in the shortest amount of time. Don’t let repairs be a negotiating tool for your buyers.

The Amerites pre-listing inspection provides you with powerful benefits:

• Minimize market time by providing a “value added” benefit to your property with proof of the home’s condition.
• Promotes assurance to your prospects that your home has been inspected by a professional.
• Allows you time to decide to correct problems or adjust your sales price to reflect the estimated repairs or provide the information necessary to disclose the “as is” condition of your home eliminating the negotiation of the sales price.
• Increase awareness and promotes a sense of trust with your buyers.
• Real estate professionals can help you determine the fair listing price based on the true physical condition of the home… resulting in a quicker sale.

We believe your investment in a pre-listing inspection will prove to be of significant value. As a smart homeowner you will want to get the pre-sale facts and secure the “peace of mind” you deserve!

Checking Everything, Including the Kitchen Sink!

An inspector will check the complete exterior of the house, including the chimney, surface condition of the roof, flashings, gutters and downspouts. He will check the exterior sill, foundation, and the grading of the lot to be sure it is pitched away from the house. The inspector will then enter the house and view the mechanicals, such as plumbing, heating, electrical and central cooling system. He will check the sill, foundation, floor joists, main carrying beams and supporting members.

The inspector will also check for wood boring infestation and water penetration, past or present. He will check the kitchen and condition of appliances. All doors, ceilings and floors on interior rooms will be checked. An inspection will also check the ventilation and insulation in the attic, which provides a better idea of the exact condition of the roof.

Inspection companies provide two kinds of reports. One is an itemized list with written commentary that is delivered on site. The second is a written narrative that the client receives several days later through the mail. A thorough home inspection for 2000 sq ft. home will take between two and three hours. It is strongly advisable to accompany the inspector for the complete inspection.

Comprehensive home inspections generally range in price from $350 to $700 (for large properties). The best source for finding a competent home inspector is best to check their certification. They must be licensed and certified by TAREI (Texas Association of Real Estate Inspectors) or NACHI (National Association of Certified Home Inspectors).

HOME INSPECTION TOUR

Exterior

• Condition of the roof surface
• Exterior chimney
• Exterior siding
• Exterior trim
• Exposed gutters and downspouts
• Foundations and sills
• Yard drainage and landscape
• Basement entrance
• Window wells
• Exterior outlets and lighting
• Any evidence of wood destroying insects
• Ground pitch (making sure it is away from the home)
• Exterior and interior of garage, decks, porches, walkways and driveways
• Retaining walls

Garage

• Structural inspection of accessible foundation, floor, walls and sills
• Complete inspection of doors including (operation) electric opener
• Fume barrier and fire door
• Fire grade sheetrock
• Roof
• Check for evidence of wood destroying insects

Basement (if applicable)

• Accessible foundation and floor
• Crawl area and ventilation
• Windows
• Load bearing girders
• Support columns
• Sill, sub floor and floor joists
• Interior chimney
• Bulkhead/walkout
• Check for evidence of wood destroying insects
• Inspect for water penetration, past or present

Interior

• Doors
• Fireplace/wood stove
• Stairway and handrail
• Halls
• Skylight
• Bathroom and all fixtures including tile/fiberglass
• Kitchen and all fixtures
• Appliances: stove, garbage disposal, dishwasher
• Ceilings, windows, walls, floors, doors, electrical outlets, heat sources in every room

Attic and Vent Insulation

• Access to attic
• Structural supports
• Roof backings Ceiling joist
• Flashing Insulation (visible attic only)
• Ventilation
• Whole house fan
• Evidence of water penetration

Heating

• Fire grade sheetrock
• Emergency shut off
• Exposed flue and damper from heat plant
• Burner/Gun
• Fire box liner
• Asbestos like material
• Boiler
• Circulator pump
• Zone valve and pipes
• Furnace, circulator fan and filter
• Duct work (in basement)
• Thermostats
• Fuel Tank

Cooling

• Compressor Evaporator unit
• Service line
• Condenser drain
• Temperature at service line
• Electric disconnect
• Compressor slab

Electric

• Accessible wiring
• Service panel box
• Fuses and circuit breakers
• Service panel box
• Junction box covers
• Switch plate covers

Plumbing

• Supply and waste systems
• Visual condition of accessible feed lines and connectors within structure
• Visual condition of accessible waste lines/connections within structure
• Main vent stack
• Accessible well equipment
• Laundry tub
• Washer/dryer connections
• Hot water heater
• Interior sewer ejector pump

If you are looking for a professional home inspector, Amerites can help. Please contact us for a list of accredited home inspectors.