It’s a very exciting time. You’ve found the home of your dreams, and your offer to buy it has been accepted. You’re looking forward to closing the deal and moving into your new house. Not so fast. Before you close, it’s important to make sure that you’re not buying a “money pit,” that will bankrupt you with unexpected expenses. A detailed inspection of your potential new home will spot costly defects that might be expensive or even impossible to properly repair, and give you an estimate of when big ticket items like roofs and boilers will need to be replaced. That’s why smart buyers hire an experienced home Inspection company to do a walk-through and detailed report before closing the deal. Inspection Pros LLC is the leading Northern California residential home inspection company, providing the most detailed reports and the most responsive customer service. Serving all of Northern California, including Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, Amadaor, Contra Costa, Alameda, and Solano. Call 612.475.4208 to schedule an inspection.
What’s the Difference Between a Northern California Residential Home Inspection and An Appraisal?
You might be wondering why you need to spend money on a home inspection when you’re already spending money on the appraisal that’s required by your bank or mortgage company. These are some of the differences:
● Appraisers only consider what’s visible, whereas inspectors use training and tools to spot issues.
● Home inspectors walk through the home with the potential buyer, whereas appraisers work alone.
● Home inspectors focus on the condition of the home (and safety), whereas appraisers look more broadly at the neighborhood, crime rates and other external factors that impact the value of the home.
The purpose of the appraisal is to determine whether the home is properly priced based on its size, features and location. An appraisal won’t let you know if the house has a cracked foundation, a roof that needs to be replaced and an HVAC system that’s on its last legs. Some of the problems discovered during a home inspection could be helpful in negotiating the price downward and others might alert you to problems so serious that you decide to walk away from the deal. It’s important to have both an appraisal and a home inspection before closing on real estate.
The Residential Home Inspection Process
Once you’ve chosen your home inspector, he’ll make an appointment to come to the home you’re interested in buying and walk through it with you. He’ll be noting if there’s rot or water damage by the floorboards and on the ceilings, as well as odors that might indicate mold, mildew or infestations. This is your opportunity to ask questions you might have about the quality of the construction and renovations in the home. For example, an inspector might point out that low quality materials were used for the kitchen cabinets which might mean they will need to be replaced sooner. Inspectors know how to look at big ticket items like roofs, HVAC and boilers, noting when they were installed and when they would likely require replacement. You can ask questions like “is this a large enough capacity water heater for somebody that likes to take long baths” or “does this discoloration on the bathtub mean there’s a problem with the water pipes.” It’s important to speak up about any concerns you might have about the condition of the home.
Inspection Pro’s LLC Is The Most Trusted Northern California Home Inspection Company
Owner Tim Musson’s background in environmental science and engineering makes him one of the most qualified home inspectors in Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, Amador, Contra Costa, Alameda, and Solano. His keen eye and patience makes your home inspection experience positive and productive. Call (612) 475-4208 for an appointment.
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