House Inspection A Seller's Guide To Real Estate Inspections

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 basement 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 takes between two and three hours. It is advisable to accompany the inspector for the complete inspection.

Home inspections generally range in price from $195 to $400. The best source for finding a competent home inspector is the recommendation of someone who has used a firm's services in the past. In determining if this firm is the right one for you, ask about their level of experience--how many inspections the company has performed, how many they do annually, and what kind of training their inspectors receive. Also, the inspector you choose should belong to a national organization that requires compliance to a code of ethics.

As a prospective seller, an objective, realistic evaluation of your property's condition will be of great assistance when placing it on the market. Knowing what objections, if any, are likely to be raised in advance will help you deal with them in a way that keeps the sale moving along smoothly.