Home Inspections:

The majority of buyers have a home inspection contingency in their offer to purchase. We encourage our buyer clients to spend this extra money to insure that the major mechanicals are in good working order.
A licensed home inspector will check the property for evidence of wood destroying insects. If such evidence, active or not, is found buyers request treatment for this infestation prior to closing. This expense is normally covered by the seller.
The inspector will do an exterior exam of the roof, siding and chimney. From there he will start in the basement of the house inspecting the general structure, furnace, hot water heater, plumbing and electrical box. He will look for signs of water penetration. Next he will usually check any appliances included in the sale. A sampling of outlets are checked for grounding and reverse polarity. Windows are spot checked to insure property operation. Each bathroom fixture is inspected for leakage, proper installation and function.
It is highly suggested that buyers have a radon test done on the property as it is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Your home inspector can supply the test for you.
Buyers and sellers should plan on the inspections taking at least two hours. Buyers are encouraged to be in attendance so they may ask questions and get some instruction on the general operation of the house.
Some of the most common issues that arise as a result of home inspections are:
· Chimney needs re-pointing
· Double tapping in the electrical box.
· Reverse polarity of electrical outlets.
· Minor plumbing leaks.
· Automatic garage door emergency reverse not working.
· Furnace needs cleaning.

Mold is one of the hot topics at home inspections these days. An inspector or specialist may be brought in for testing it, but do your research first. You want to know what kinds of a mold are a threat and what kinds we live with everyday with out a problem (remember: Nobel Prize Winner Alexander Flemming found penicillin, a mold fought bacteria in 1928). At a later date we will discuss more about mold and it's rise in the inspection process.

If you are a handy owner, it makes sense to take care of any of these problems before your house goes under deposit. If discovered during an inspection the buyers will be requesting that a licensed contractor perform the repairs.