Tips for a Successful Home Inspection
Inspection Tips for Home Buyers
Buying a home is a huge financial investment and you need to learn as much about it as you can with the help of a thorough home inspection. Here are things that you can do to help the inspector make sure the Pre-Purchase Inspection goes smoothly and efficiently:
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Understand and sign the Inspection Contract. It is important to fully read, understand, agree with, and sign the Inspection Contract before the scheduled inspection. The inspector cannot start the inspection without first obtaining a signed copy of the contract.
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Obtain permission from the seller for the inspection. Normally when a home is listed for sale by a real estate agent, the listing agreement authorizes the inspector to inspect the property. If the home being sold is not listed (e.g., for sale by owner), then permission has to be secured from the seller in order for the inspector to be able to perform an inspection of the property. If you need to obtain permission from the seller, you can help this process by requesting an Inspection Authorization Form from the inspector that you can provide to the seller for them to sign before the inspection occurs.
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Obtain the Seller's Disclosure Statement. Make sure your agent provides you with a Seller's Disclosure Statement (form 17). This statement, required by law, informs you of any defects or notable issues or conditions of the home that the seller knows about. Provide that information to your inspector before the inspection begins so any concerns you have can be addressed.
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Identify any concerns to discuss with the inspector. Prepare a list of any concerns or issues you have about your home, so you can address them with your inspector before the inspection starts.
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Ensure utilities are connected and on, and all pilot lights are ignited. Ensure all utilities at the home are turned on by the seller prior to the arrival of your inspector. Your inspector will not be able to operate water, gas, or oil valves, or turn on circuit breakers. Also make sure the seller has pre-lit all appliances requiring a pilot light, so their operational condition can be tested.
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Clear space around electrical service panel(s), furnace, and water heater. Ensure the service panel (breaker panel/fuse box) and any other electrical panels, furnace, and water heater are unobstructed and easily accessible by your inspector. The inspector will not be able to move furniture or personal items to gain access to these areas.
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Access to the attic is needed. Some attic access panels are sprayed and/or taped shut, and some sellers may not want the attic seal broken as it will change the original appearance of the opening. Insist that the seller grants permission to access the attic even if the panel is sealed. Buying a home without having the attic inspected could be a very costly mistake.
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Be familiar with the Washington State Home Inspector Standards of Practice guidelines. A good way to be informed and to set expectations about your upcoming inspection is to read the guidelines your inspector follows. Wise Structure Inspections LLC follows the Washington State Home Inspector Standards of Practice, created to promote high ethical standards, integrity and professionalism in the home inspection industry. Visit the Washington State government web site to read the Washington State Home Inspector Standards of Practice guidelines.
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You are encouraged to attend the inspection. While not required, attending the inspection is a great opportunity to raise any concerns you have about the property and gain valuable knowledge about the workings of your future home directly from your inspector.
Wise Structure Inspections LLC looks forward to working with you!
Inspection Tips for Home Sellers
As a home seller, whether you hired the inspector for your own Pre-Listing Inspection or are getting prepared for the buyer's Pre-Purchase Inspection, these tips can help make the process easier and much more efficient for you and the inspector:
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Understand and sign the Inspection Contract. For a pre-listing inspection, it is important to fully read, understand, agree with, and sign the Inspection Contract before the scheduled inspection. The inspector cannot start the inspection without first obtaining a signed copy of the contract.
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Identify any concerns to discuss with the inspector. For a pre-listing inspection, prepare a list of any concerns or issues you have about your home, so you can address them with your inspector before the inspection starts.
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For a pre-listing inspection, you are encouraged to attend the inspection. While not required, attending the inspection is a great opportunity to raise any concerns you have about the property and gain valuable knowledge about the workings of your future home directly from your inspector.
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Leave a note to guide the inspector for hard-to-find locations. For a buyer's inspection, if you are leaving the home, leave a note for the inspector on the kitchen counter identifying any hard to find or hidden access panels, crawlspace entry points, and controls the inspector should be aware of.
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Provide important receipts and documents for remodeling projects and repairs. Have a copy of receipts for home improvements and repairs done by professional contractors readily available. If the inspector finds evidence there was a specific issue with the home, a receipt for the repair can be noted by the inspector in the inspection report. Receipts can be left on the kitchen counter with a note for the inspector if you are leaving the home when the buyer's inspection is being conducted.
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Clear space around electrical service panel(s), furnace, and water heater. Have service panels (breaker panel/fuse box) and other electrical panels, furnace, and water heater unobstructed and easily accessible by your inspector. The inspector will not be able to move furniture or personal items to gain access to these areas.
-
Ensure utilities are connected and on, and all pilot lights are ignited. Ensure all utilities at the home are turned on by the seller prior to the arrival of your inspector. Your inspector will not be able to operate water, gas, or oil valves, or turn on circuit breakers. Also make sure the seller has pre-lit all appliances requiring a pilot light, so their operational condition can be tested. Remove laundry from washer and dryer.
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Access to the attic and crawl space is needed. Be aware that access to your attic and crawl space is necessary to conduct a proper inspection. Access panels may have been sprayed and or taped shut by the home builder and breaking that seal may change the original appearance of the opening. While breaking the attic seal is done with the utmost care by the inspector, some damage may be visible. If access to the crawl space is inside the home, ensure there is clear access to the entry.
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Plan for all pets to be out of the house. Arrange to have pets kept at a different location during the inspection. Your inspector enters and exits the home multiple times, testing doors, windows and gates, and creates too many chances for your pet to get loose. Their presence may also prevent the inspector from inspecting all rooms in the home.
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Be familiar with the Washington State Home Inspector Standards of Practice guidelines. A good way to be informed and to set expectations about your upcoming inspection is to read the guidelines your inspector follows. Wise Structure Inspections LLC follows the Washington State Home Inspector Standards of Practice, created to promote high ethical standards, integrity and professionalism in the home inspection industry. Visit the Washington State government web site to read the Washington State Home Inspector Standards of Practice guidelines.
Wise Structure Inspections LLC looks forward to helping you!
Inspection Tips for Homeowners
As a homeowner, these helpful tips will smooth out the property inspection process for the inspector to perform an Home Maintenance Inspection or an 11-Month Warranty Inspection on your home:
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Understand and sign the Inspection Contract. It is important to fully read, understand, agree with, and sign the Inspection Contract before the scheduled inspection. The inspector cannot start the inspection without first obtaining a signed copy of the contract.
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Be familiar with any warranty coverage. If you are having an 11-Month Warranty Inspection performed, familiarize yourself with the warranty coverage information given to you by the builder when you purchased the homes you know what is covered by the builder's warranty, the claims process, and the date you need to submit claims by.
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Identify any concerns to discuss with the inspector. Make a list of any concerns or issues you have about your home, so you can be prepared to address them with your Inspector before the inspection starts.
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Provide important receipts and documents for remodeling projects and repairs. Have a copy of any receipts for repairs done by professional contractors or insurance claim repairs readily available to show the inspector. If the inspector finds evidence there was a specific issue with the home, ya receipt for the repair can be noted by the inspector in the inspection report.
-
Clear space around electrical service panel(s), furnace, and water heater. Have the service panels (breaker panel/fuse box) and other electrical panels, furnace, and water heater unobstructed and easily accessible by your inspector. The inspector will not be able to move furniture or personal items to gain access to these areas.
-
Ensure utilities are connected and on, and all pilot lights are ignited. Ensure all utilities at the home are turned on prior to the arrival of your inspector. Your inspector will not be able to operate water, gas, or oil valves, or turn on circuit breakers. Also make sure the seller has pre-lit all appliances requiring a pilot light, so their operational condition can be tested. Remove laundry from washer and dryer.
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Access to the attic and crawl space is needed. Be aware that access to your attic and crawl space is necessary to conduct a proper inspection. Access panels may have been sprayed and or taped shut by the home builder and breaking that seal may change the original appearance of the opening. While breaking the attic seal is done with the utmost care by the inspector, some damage may be visible. If access to the crawl space is inside the home, ensure there is clear access to the entry.
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Plan for all pets to be out of the house. Arrange to have pets kept at a different location during the inspection. Your inspector enters and exits the home multiple times, testing doors, windows and gates, and creates too many chances for your pet to get loose. Their presence may also prevent the inspector from inspecting all rooms in the home.
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Be familiar with the Washington State Home Inspector Standards of Practice guidelines. A good way to be informed and to set expectations about your upcoming inspection is to read the guidelines your inspector follows. Wise Structure Inspections LLC follows the Washington State Home Inspector Standards of Practice, created to promote high ethical standards, integrity and professionalism in the home inspection industry. Visit the Washington State government web site to read the Washington State Home Inspector Standards of Practice guidelines.
Wise Structure Inspections LLC looks forward to inspecting your home!