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Valuable Wealth of Knowledge for Buyers and Sellers
Buyers Benefits of a Home Inspection
- Reveals the need for repairs or replacements to the home components before you buy.
- Provides you with invaluable details about your new home including location of shut off valves, where utilities are located, and general house operation.
- Limits the number of surprises you may discover when you move into your new home.
- Reduces the number of contingencies in a sale agreement, which makes closing easier.
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Sellers Benefits of a Home Inspection
- Gives you the opportunity to become aware of, and repair property conditions so they don't affect the buyers offer.
- Makes your home more attractive to buyers because they will know you are a committed seller.
- Reduces the number of contingencies in a sale agreement, which makes closing easier.
- Eliminates last minute repair hassles that could delay closing.
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Home Inspection Resource Center
What to Look for in Your Home Inspector
Why do I Need an Inspection?
What Does a Home Inspection Entail?
Do I Need to Attend the Inspection?
What Does a Home Inspection Cost?
Is the Inspector Licensed or Certified?
Can I Store Things in My Attic? |
Who is US Inspect?
- Experience. More than one million home inspections under our belt!
- Trust. Keeping your trust demands attention to detail. Look at what others like you are saying about U.S. Inspect.
- Unlimited technical assistance. Free technical assistance for as long as you own your home!
- Highest industry standards. All inspections adhere to or exceed national, state, and industry regulations and standards.
- Technological advantage. Equipped with computers, digital cameras, portable printers, pagers, cell phones, two-way radios and electronic scheduling software, we arrange inspections immediately.
- On-site, computer-generated inspection report. Easy to read. Easy to understand. Includes digital photographs, detailed record of defects discovered and recommended solutions. Alternatively, reports can be delivered the same day via email!
- One-stop solution. General home inspections, termite inspections, radon testing, structural inspections and more! Whatever the need, wherever the inspection, you can count on U.S. Inspect.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
What to Look for in Your Home Inspector
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U.S. Inspect |
Others |
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ü Does the company provide extended call
center hours so that inspections can be scheduled immediately? |
Yes |
? |
| ü Does the company have the experience
of over one million home inspections? |
Yes |
? |
| ü Are the
company's Inspectors the most
highly trained and accessible in the industry? |
Yes |
? |
| ü Does your
company have an extensive
client list
that demonstrates extensive experience? |
Yes |
? |
| ü Does your
company carry Professional
Error’s and Omissions Insurance? |
Yes |
? |
| ü Do inspections exceed
the Standards of Practice of the National Association of Home Inspectors
or state regulations, where applicable? |
Yes |
? |
| ü Does your
company provide unlimited
access for technical questions and follow-up after the inspection? |
Yes |
? |
| ü Is your
company's inspection report
created
on-site in a computer-generated format? |
Yes |
? |
| ü Does your
company's inspection report
incorporate photographs for clarity? |
Yes |
? |
| ü Does your
company's finished report
include a customized homeowners manual? |
Yes |
? |
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Why do I Need a Home Inspection?
The purchase of a home is probably one of the single largest investments you will ever make. You should be as informed and educated as you possibly can when considering a home purchase. And a home inspection can provide that education. Also, the FHA and the VA, as well as many other mortgage lenders, recommend that a home inspection be performed.
A home inspection lets you know the condition of the property as well as identifies the need for any repairs before you buy, so that you can make an informed purchasing decision. A home inspection also informs the buyer of the positive aspects of the home, as well as any maintenance that may be recommended to keep the house in good shape and to keep all major systems operating smoothly. After the inspection, you will have a much better understanding of the property you intend to purchase.
A home inspection is also valuable for homeowners for identifying any potential problems that may need tending to, as well as for learning preventive maintenance measures to help avoid any costly future repairs. If you intend to put your house on the market, a home inspection could identify items that would be called out on a buyer’s inspection, which allows you to be proactive in making repairs, thereby putting you house in a more sellable position..
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What Does a Home Inspection Entail?
There are four basic steps to the home inspection. First, the inspector arrives at the property, makes general introductions and both explains what is going to take place and asks about any special questions or requests. Next, while the inspection agreement is being reviewed, the inspector will make a quick circuit of the property to size up the scope of the inspection. Then, there will be an in-depth walk-through inspection with the client. This involves inspecting all visible areas and reviewing all accessible items and areas, including the heating system, central air conditioning system, interior plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, attic space and all visible insulation, the walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, basement or crawlspace area, and the foundation and all visible structural components. Any questions or items of special interest regarding a particular system or structural component are usually addressed at this time. Finally, a check of the entire property is made to verify that the condition of the property is the same as when the inspection started. After this last circuit, the inspector will complete the hard copy of the inspection report. All deficiencies and maintenance recommendations will be noted and a recap of deficiencies will be entered onto the summary sheet for the client.
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Do I Need to Attend the Inspection?
It is not necessary that you attend the inspection. However, U.S. Inspect strongly recommends that you or a representative for you attends the inspection so that you are properly informed of the investment that you are considering making. Given appropriate access, our inspector can perform the inspection and generate an inspection report, which can be delivered to you. Again, it is strongly recommended that you attend because you will be able to follow the inspector around and visually learn about the condition of your house, how the various systems operate and how to properly maintain them. You will also have a better understanding of the contents of the report if you are able to see it from the home inspector's perspective and can ask him/her questions as they arise..
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What Does a Home Inspection Cost?
Prices for home inspections vary greatly depending on the home's square footage, sales price, age, and number of rooms. The price also varies by market across the country. The table below is an approximate guide:
Northeast (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island)
Price Range: $265 - $870; Average Price: $356
Southeast (Atlanta, Florida)
Price Range: $250 - $950; Average Price: $325
Mid-Atlantic (Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia)
Price Range: $265 - $800; Average Price: $360
Midwest (Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Texas)
Price Range: $200 - $900; Average Price: $280
Southwest (Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada)
Price Range: $215 - $750; Average Price: $260
Northwest (Washington)
Price Range: $280 - $750; Average Price: $320
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Is the Inspector Licensed or Certified?
Not all states require home inspectors to be licensed. However, in those states that do require licensing, our inspectors are licensed. All of our employee-inspectors are ASHI Members or Candidates, or are in the testing process of getting ASHI membership. Many of our inspectors are also trained and licensed to perform radon and termite inspections in their operating areas..
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Can I Store Things in My Attic?
Before you store anything in your attic, you need to ensure that the attic framing is designed and capable of supporting the loads you intend to place there. Unless they are specifically designed for carrying the additional load, trusses will not adequately support your stored items. You will experience cracking and damage to the finished ceiling in the floor below, as well as possible structural damage to the trusses themselves. Conventionally framed roofs may be more forgiving, however, a licensed contractor or structural engineer should be consulted before making any modifications to your attic framing.
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RealEstate.com shall not be responsible or liable for any products or services obtained by or through this third party web site. There is no endorsement by RealEstate.com of US Inspect or the products and services made available on this or any other third party site.
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