Buying or selling in the Carolinas?

No matter whether you are a home buyer or the home seller, a home inspection is inevitable. This protects the buyer and the seller. Generally the buyer will hire the inspector.

Perhaps some of the most critical and important factors and areas that home inspectors will examine are presence of termites, drainage and flooding protection, paint trim gutters and siding, doors and windows, foundation, the roof, and most importantly the electric.

Electrical:

Certainly fuse boxes, breakers and outlets top the list. If additional rooms to the house have been added, the inspector may check to see that a licensed electrician made adjustments to satisfy current codes.

Termites:
The inspection for termites is a very important factor as the presence of termites can greatly reduce the structural integrity of the home. I do not suggest you skip a termite inspection by a qualified, licensed inspector.

Heat/Air:
An inspection of the heat and air units is also recommended. They will check to see if the unit(s) have been checked lately and if the heat and air temperatures are correct.

Decks and Porches:

The inspection of decks and porches, if a home has any, will be simply to determine whether or not any rot is present in the wood. It will also look for the presents of any potentially damaging insects or insect-caused damage.

 Drainage and Flood Protection:

This is one part of the typical home inspection that really conforms to the old real-estate expression, “Location. Location. Location” – well that and position. This part of the inspection really focuses on how and where the home is situated. The land that surrounds the home should be sloping downwards, away from the home, in order to help precent any potential flooding. This should allow for about 7 inches (and inch more or less is okay) of the foundations concrete to be showing. Usually the inspector will go under the home if possible and check for broken pipes, under pan on the shower, proper venting and any out of code materials

 Trim, Gutters, Siding, and Paint:

This aspect of the inspection is mainly relegated to the gutters, siding, and exterior paint. Overall condition and wear is inspected and the paint is examined for any bubbling and peeling or lead. This inspection is often optional but recommended.

 Doors and Windows:

While any broken glass will certainly be noted and inspected for, the inspection of doors and windows goes deeper. Rot is searched for, and whether or not the window or door closes easily and opens freely while still providing and adequate seal is also checked for.

Foundation:

This final critical element of a home inspection is to check the foundation for any cracking and potential structural insecurity in the building.

Sellers do NOT fear the home inspection, while if problems are found, you may have to make adjustments to the price or have a few repairs made in long run it is totally worth it.