Home Inspection Process

This Page contains a complete list of Home Inspection Facts For You!

We at Certainty Home Inspections are knowledgeable, friendly and will answer questions during and after the inspection process. This will enable you to gain the knowledge and confidence to negotiate a fair price, a price that’s right for you.  From the inspection, a computerized home inspection report is created that identifies concerns with the home and suggests the ways to resolve any concerns, and of course we’re right here afterward to always answer any questions you have. Be certain there are no expensive surprises. Is the home structurally sound or does it have weak spots? Has it been well maintained or has it been neglected?  We inspect all structural support components of the home starting from the attic continuing down to the foundation. We search for “tell tale” signs of settlement, decay, water entry, lack of maintenance or prior repairs. You’ll know if you need to keep a close eye on certain areas or if immediate repairs are needed, if the foundation is stable or if the home is settling.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Question: What Type Of Report Will I Get?
Answer: Your report is a detailed, narrative, computer generated report packed full of digital pictures.  It is delivered to you on site and/or emailed to you.

Question: What Will The Inspection Cover?
Answer: Everything from the roof to the  foundation:

• Attic
• Ventilation
• Gutters
• Basement
• Crawlspace
• Foundation
• Sidiing & Trim
• Driveways
• Insulation
• Roof & Flashings
• Grading
• Retaining Walls
• Ceilings
• Walls
• Chimney
• Fireplace
• Electrical
• Plumbing Systems
• Heating (Weather permitting)
• Air Conditioning (Weather permitting)
• Floors
• Doors & Windows
• Water Heater

Question: How Long Will The Inspection Take?
Answer: Depending on the square footage of the home and the  foundation that it is on, the inspection will take approximately 2-4 hours.

Question: Can a House Fail An Inspection?
Answer: No A Licensed Home Inspector does not pass or fail a home.  A home inspection is a non-invasive, visual assessment of the condition of the property on the day of inspection

Question: What Will The Report Tell Me?
Answer: The general condition of the property on the day of inspection
Acceptable, Marginal, &  Defective Summary of the home’s condition
Suggestions to remedy the problem
What items to monitor
Suggestions for repair/replacements

Question: How do I schedule an inspection?
Answer: Go to www.certaintyinspections.com & click the schedule inspection now button or call toll free 1-866-417-9591, even on the weekends.  We answer our phones 99% of the time unless on another call so if we don’t answer please leave us a message and we will call you right back.

Question: When Should I Schedule My Home Inspection?
Answer: After signing your offer, you normally have between 7-10 days to schedule an inspection and get the results back from any test you have performed such as radon, water or mold.  As soon as your offered is accepted, schedule your inspection as soon as possible to allow the time needed to perform your inspection.

Question: Should I be present during the home inspection?
Answer: Although we don’t require you to be there throughout the entire inspection, we do request that you be there 30 minutes prior to the end of the home inspection so that we may walk you through the slide show presentation we provide and go over the report with you.  We can answer all your question on site, at the time of inspection.

Question: What Will Happen Once We Order Our Home Inspection?
Answer: We will confirm the time & date with the realtors involved.  Once time & date are confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email letting you know you are confirmed.  In the confirmation email, there are three links:  the first link will allow you to read over the service agreement.  Simply check the box at the bottom which automatically signs the agreement for you.  The second link allows you to make payment either by Visa or Matercard.  You may pay on site with check or cash also.  The third link will allow you to set up your personal account with our company where your reports can be accessed, downloaded, stored or emailed to you.

Question: How Do I Pay The Inspector?
Answer: You can either pay for your inspection through your online personal account or pay the inspector onsite with cash or check.

Question: How Much Does An Inspection Cost?
Answer: The base price of the inspection depends on the square footage of the home and the type of foundation your home sets on.   Larger homes take longer to inspect making larger homes more costly to have inspected.  The same with the foundation, a crawl space takes longer to inspect than a slab home therefore costing more.  Regardless, the price of the inspection is well worth the knowledge you will gain from having a home inspection performed.  The lowest inspector is not necessarily a bargain, make sure your inspector is qualified with the education of a home inspection national exam and not just qualified due to the number of inspections performed (Grandfathered In).  Cutting corners on the most valuable asset you will own is not a wise decision.  Pay close attention to the qualifications of the home inspector you hire.

Questions: Why choose Certainty Home Inspections?
Anwer: The purchase of your new home is the single most important investment that your family will make.  With this purchase will come two significant questions, “Will this home be a safe, sound and secure home” or “Will this home be a money pit”  A home inspection is an excellent tool to help determine the condition of the home but to also help you to know the repairs/replacements that might be needed in the future.  However, home inspections are not a prediction of the  future performance but they can help to pinpoint existing problems on the day of inspection.

Question: Can My Uncle Charlie or my realtor’s relation inspect my new home for me?
Answer: This is one of the biggest mistakes many people can make.  The person you are considering may be very skilled but they are not trained or experienced  home inspectors.  Professional inspectors are like no other, they have an inspectors instinct for problems which require extensive training, experience and know how of the home’s components.  Home Inspectors are generalist and may call for a licensed contractor in a specific field to further evaluate a component of the home such as a licensed plumber, HVAC technician or a licensed electrician.

Question: What If I Have Questions After My Inspection?
Answer: Call us!  We are never to busy to answer any questions you may have.  Call us toll free at 1-866-417-9591.

7 Steps For First Time Home Buyers

1. Educate Yourself About the Mortgage Process – By taking the initiative and learning about the mortgage process, you can be more confident in the financial decisions you are making. It’s important to learn about different types of mortgages, how much you can afford, how your credit impacts your interest rate, and the benefits of home ownership. A mortgage tutorial is available at http://smartedgebygmac.com, which breaks down the home buying process into easy-to-understand steps.2. Save Just a Little Bit More – It’s not only important to save money for the down payment and closing costs, but it’s important to factor in some of the other costs of home ownership such as decorating, repairs and maintenance. Many mortgage lenders recommend that first-time home buyers have at least three to six months of additional savings in their possession in anticipation of these additional expenses.3. Check Your Credit – An individual’s credit score will have a significant impact on his or her mortgage loan approval and interest rate. A good first step in financing a home purchase is to check your credit history. You can request a free credit report from any of the three credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion or Experian. Carefully review your report and contact the credit reporting bureaus to correct any inaccuracies.

4. Shop Around for a Mortgage Lender – As you start thinking and preparing for the home buying process, start shopping for the mortgage lender from whom you would like to obtain a mortgage for your new home. Because this process is new, it’s easy to go with the first lender or loan officer you meet. Instead, take your time and shop around. Start by asking friends, co-workers and family members for recommendations. When you’ve identified two or three loan officers, ask for references. In addition to pricing (interest rate and closing costs), focus on customer service as well as other services and tools that a mortgage lender may be able to offer you.

5. Get Pre-approved – Before you start working with a real estate agent, consider contacting a mortgage lender to obtain a pre-approval credit decision. A loan officer will review your financial status, including your income, cash flow and credit score, to help you determine the maximum monthly housing payment for which you may be able to qualify, and, if qualified, “pre-approve” your mortgage before you’ve found a home. Armed with a credit pre-approval, you can start searching for homes with a much better idea of your price range, and in turn save time as you will know the right homes to focus on. Obtaining a pre-approval may offer more confidence and certainty to home sellers in your ability to purchase the home.

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions – Once you’ve found your new home, the mortgage lender will help you through the details of the loan process. From application to closing, your loan officer will work through the financing process with you, just as your real estate professional should do in the home buying process. Throughout the process, read all loan documents carefully, and involve an attorney, if necessary.

Preparing for the inspection

• • The more information provided to the inspector about the home the smoother the inspection

• • If possible fax or e-mail the MLS data sheet with client contact info to – fax: 812-883-9591 or e-mail: William@certaintyinspections.com or call toll free 866-417-9591 and provide information.

• • The year built can tell us a lot about what can be expected and/or things to look for during the inspection such as aluminum wiring or lead base paint.

• • The total square footage along with the # of beds and baths can determine the expected amount of time required to complete the inspection.

• • If there is more than one furnace, A/C or water heater, more time will be required.

• • The type of foundation can determine pricing as well as time needed. A crawlspace obviously takes longer and is more difficult to inspect than an unfinished basement.

• • Confirm that utilities are on and describe the type (Gas or Electric). This will help the inspector determine the amount of time needed. A home with gas utilities requires checking for gas leaks and carbon monoxide where as an all electric home does not.

• • Other inspection services requested such as termite, radon, mold or septic are an extra charge and will require more time.

Ask the seller to make some simple preparations for the inspection

q Make sure all areas of the home are accessible and viewable

q Clear access to entrances of the attic

q Clear access to entrances of the crawlspace

q Unlock outbuildings

q Clear storage items from under sinks

q Change any burned out light bulbs

q Replace dead batteries in smoke detectors

Your First Inspection

The Top Three Things Most Home Buyers Want To Know?

1. Is The House Cute?

2. Will My Furniture Fit?

3. Can I Afford It?

And While These Questions Are Very Important, There Are Some Other Very Important Things That You Need To Know About The Home As Well.

While there are exceptions, most all Indiana or Kentucky homes will require some sort of typical maintenance and/or minor repairs. The home inspection report will inform you of any noted concerns with all accessible areas/systems and components of the home and suggest remedies, corrections and maintenance.

For instance, how old is the roof and what condition is it in? If the roof shingles are as curly as Tammy Faye Baker’s eyelashes then the home will soon need new shingles. The average 20 year roof shingle typically lasts 15 to 17 years.

What type of exterior siding does the house have? Some types of siding really don’t have a lot of ongoing maintenance issues. Two types of siding that can be problematic are fiberboard sidings and synthetic stucco. If the fiberboard siding has been adequately maintained over the years it might be in satisfactory condition. However, most homeowners didn’t know that fiberboard siding needed the amount of maintenance that it did and lots of it is found in poor condition.

Synthetic stucco is somewhat problematic because once water gets behind the synthetic stucco it doesn’t evaporate back out. So when water builds up behind the synthetic stucco, the wood framing of the house suffers. In many cases owners of synthetic stucco homes didn’t know they had a problem until they noticed the interior walls of the home were wet. Synthetic stucco requires a lot of ongoing maintenance as well.

Let’s talk about the mechanical systems of the house, how about the water heater? How old is it? The average lifespan of a water heater is five to 10 years. Sure a water heater can last a lot longer than that but when it’s older than 10 years its very energy inefficient.

Heating and air-conditioning system. The average lifespan of an air-conditioning unit is 7 to 12 years. And the average lifespan for a furnace is 12 to 18 years. One of the other things you have to think about is energy efficiency. If the units are very old then they are likely not as efficient and it’s going to be more expensive to heat and cool.

Okay, next let’s talk about what type of foundation the home has. A lot of older homes have a concrete block basement or crawlspace. Concrete block in many cases allows water to come through into the basement or crawlspace and it’s also subject to cracking. Horizontal cracks can be of concern and further evaluation and estimates for repair may be recommended. This is because water pressure has typically forced the foundation wall in. The good news is that repairs are common in our area and many reputable companies offer Lifetime guarantees. Regardless of the foundation type, You need to be on guard for mold. If you go into a basement or crawlspace and water is coming in from the outside there’s a good chance mold will also be present. And if there is standing water in the crawlspace this drastically increases the likelihood of mold being present. Often times the first indication of mold is a very musty type smell when you open the door into the basement or crawl space.

Another important thing you need to look for in a home is what type of materials are the plumbing pipes made of. If the pipes are copper or PVC then there’s probably nothing to worry about. However, if they’re galvanized pipe that can be a problem. The other type that’s gotten quite a bit of negative publicity has been Polybutlene Pipe.

Of course the electrical supply, panel box and wiring are always critical issues to be closely inspected. A minimum of no less than 100 amps and with today’s electrical demands, a 200 Amp service is highly recommended.

What is it worth to know your family is safe? Hazardous condition were found during a recent home warranty inspection in a 1 year old home. The owner wasn’t sure if he should spend the money for the inspection. Along with being informed of other needed maintenance issues the $225 he spent may have saved his and his family’s lives.

Close inspection of the attic for proper ventilation is very important to avoid moisture related issues such as mold. Mold is commonly found growing in the attic from lack of proper ventilation and insulation is often found placed over the exterior vents.Also very commonly found, even in new construction, is the bath exhaust not vented to the exterior and causing mold to develop in the attic.

While this only scratches the surface of an Indiana home inspection process you should now have a better understanding of what to expect as well as the importance of having your new home carefully inspected. Certainty Inspections takes great pride in helping you find the right home for you and your family.

Certainty Home Inspections serves New Albany, Seymour, Bedford, Jeffersonville, Clarksville, Sellersburg, Columbus, Scottsburg, Salem and Madison and all of Southern Indiana

We are proud to offer a Free Satellite TV with every home inspection we provide.

Pre Listing Inspections

GETTING A HOME  INSPECTION ON A HOME BEFORE IT GETS PUT ON THE MARKET WILL EASE THE HOME SELLER’S FRUSTRATION WITH THE SALES PROCESS

As a Kentucky and Indiana home inspector I know there is a lot of frustration associated with selling a home in today’s real estate market. Prices of homes are down, there’s the ‘mortgage crunch,’ and there are a lot of homes on the market as well. Home buyers are definitely in the ‘driver’s seat!’

“But one easy and inexpensive thing the home seller can do to get their house sold quicker, with less hassle and often times for more money is to get a home inspection on the home before they list it for sale,” William of Certainty Home Inspections said. It’s much better for the home seller to understand the issues with the house and deal with them before the buyers arrive in order to increase the chances of the sale moving forward.”

“Potential home buyers want to purchase a home that is in tip-top shape, no matter the age of the home,” Vance said. There is one secret all home sellers need to know; home buyers make their decision to purchase a home based on emotion and then they justify their decision with logic. And another thing is equally true: home buyer’s can fall out of love with a home just as quickly as they fell in love with it.

So why allow a buyers home inspector to develop a list of issues with the home and potentially jeopardizing the sale of the property? That’s why having a home inspection on the home before you put it on the market makes complete sense.

A Pre-listing Home Inspection will not only reveal the issues the seller needs to be aware of, but it gives the seller time to obtain multiple bids for the work that needs to be done and to select the best contractors at the best price. Best of all, having the inspection done before showing the home will make the home more marketable; in better condition for viewing, and help the seller attain the maximum selling price.

“The intent of my Pre-Listing Inspection is not to find the $200 problems; it is to find the $2,000 problems. These are the things that affect people’s decision to purchase,” Vance said. These types of problems are generally unknown to the seller and they can be deal breakers.

A home inspection done by a professional home inspector is a thorough, in-depth visual examination of the structure and operating components of the home. It includes such components as landscaping effects on the foundation, structural components, roofing, chimneys, gutters and downspouts, siding and trim, attics, plumbing, electrical, heating, interior rooms, and the condition of the basement or crawl space.

“I understand that a seller doesn’t want to hear any bad news,” William said. But they have to realize that no home is perfect, and as soon as they understand that, they are on the way to making their home more Marketable. Remember, making your home the most marketable it can be should be their number one goal. That’s why I recommend having a Pre-Listing Inspection done upfront.”

Certainty Home Inspections serves New Albany, Seymour, Bedford, Jeffersonville, Clarksville, Sellersburg, Columbus, Scottsburg, Salem and Madison and all of Southern Indiana

We are proud to offer a Free Satellite TV with every home inspection we provide plus a Free alarm system from Broadview home security

You can also schedule your own home inspection today online and Make Your Decision with “Certainty”.