Buying a home can be exhilarating…owning a home can be exciting; the Raleigh Home Inspector is able to routinely observe the excitement evident when a new home is being purchased. Investing in your own home is smart, too, for a number of reasons. For most of us, the financial investment is a considerable one. I haven’t heard of too many homes being given away lately, have you? And I’ve posted here  before on various considerations regarding Home Maintenance. So what can the prudent home-buyer do to protect that substantial investment? What does it mean to “protect your investment”?

1) First, you should arrange for the services of a professional Raleigh Home Inspector to inspect the home prior to your purchase so that you know the physical condition of the property. I am often surprised at just how little time a prospective buyer, who is already under contract to purchase the property, has actually spent at there. I have stated before that a Home Inspector is paid to be suspicious even when there is nothing particular to be suspicious about…and that’s what you need prior to plunking down a significant amount of money for that new home…someone who is suspicious and someone who is not “in love” with that beautiful new home. A professional Home Inspection will provide you with valuable insight as to the physical condition of the property without emphasis on the floor plan of the house or the colors of the interior walls or of the condition of the wall-to-wall carpet. Having a Home Inspection will be mostly invaluable to you in your purchasing decision because the Inspection Report will identify areas of concern that you may not have yet considered. Is there any indication of damage from past plumbing leaks? What about from roof leakage? Are there any obvious electrical hazards present that need to be corrected? Is that garage overhead door operating safely?  The Home Inspector should also teach you a bit about the home because homes don’t generally come with  Owners Manuals. Where is that main water shut-off valve located in case you were to have to turn off the water…..right now? What is the most efficient way to operate the heat pump system?

The Raleigh Home Inspector Suggests That A Good Maintenance Plan Can Go A Long Way Toward Protection Of Your Investment

2) So now you’ve made a really good and informed purchase…you’ve signed on the dotted line and now you are the home-owner. Not a home-owner…THE Homeowner. It’s yours. It’s your baby! Not just part of it but the whole enchilada. Your perspective of how to protect your investment has just changed. Now, you have to maintain the home and do everything that you can to make sure it’s value is maintained. And that is a tall order and one that is often taken lightly or outright misunderstood. The maintenance of a home requires a significant general commitment as well as considerable expenditures of both time and money. Home Inspectors routinely report on various conditions that are quite costly to correct and, often, these issues could have been prevented with a good maintenance plan and some affirmative action. Anything to do with water is a recurring and prominent theme with a home. Keeping the exterior well maintained is important…the siding and wood trim need to be periodically prepared and painted to prevent deterioration. Plumbing leaks, and roof leaks, need to be discovered as quickly as possible to prevent damage…there’s that water “thingy” again.

And what’s going on in those spaces of the home …those places into which most people rarely venture. What’s happening in that crawl space or attic space? You need to know what’s happening, and to know, you have to go there or have someone else check it out for you. Having your cooling and heating systems serviced is important to their well-being and to their longevity. And the list goes on.

3) At some time in the future, you are going to decide you want to sell your home. Maybe you need to upgrade to larger spaces or maybe you’re in need of down-sizing. Irrespective of your motivations, you’ll want to be able to fetch the most amount of money that the market will bear. Right? So pay attention to the way the home looks. Pay attention to how it presents itself. Drag out that dusty ole’ home-buyers hat, put it on, go out to the street, and take a good long, hard and unbiased look at your home. Walk around the exterior. What do you see? Do you see well-manicured shrubbery or scraggly bushes brushing up against the exterior walls? Do you see blinds hanging askew in the windows? Do you see “stuff” around the perimeter of the exterior? While a Home Inspector doesn’t pay too much attention to cosmetic items, you can bet your hard-earned money that your prospective buyers are doing just that. Do you remember how the home looked the first time you saw it? So spruce up the exterior. Clean and tidy up the interior. Know that, just as you did, your prospective buyer will form a first impression and that you want that first impression to be a positive one. Protecting your investment begins with your due diligence prior to purchase and doesn’t end until you have sold your investment for the fair price that you deserve. Hopefully, and with a good maintenance plan, that price will be one that is profitable for you.

For more articles related to homes, home-buying, and Home Inspections by the Raleigh Home Inspector, Gary Gentry, visit his Expert Author page at e-Zine Articles.

The fact of the matter is that the the home was not exactly “stunning” although it had no major structural or mechanical issues and may very have been of reasonable value if all things were to be considered. The exterior of the home, most precisely and pointedly though, had not been “meticulously maintained.

This siding was represented as having been "Meticulously Maintained"

The hardboard siding, which is a particular type of exterior wall cladding that has had its fair share of issues in the past and one that we Home Inspectors routinely determine and report to be in poor condition, was in awful shape. It was severely decayed around windows and doors,  it was soft and decayed at siding “butt” joints where siding ends meet and at bottom edges, and had been so generally and poorly maintained that it was in need of being replaced…and at considerable expense, I might add.

The Raleigh Inspector thinks that this siding has not been so meticulously maintained, eh?

When the very poor general condition of the siding was brought attention and pointed out to those present, it was suggested that the condition was one of cosmetics rather than of any structural/mechanical issue, to which my reply was “Well, Not exactly…”.

Our clients, the home-buyers, were really terrific people…they did not, however, know how to identify deficient hardboard siding (or of just how expensive it can be to replace it) and had been fully reliant on the representations of the selling party. Had they not been so wise as to have hired Quality Residential Inspections  to accomplish a Home Inspection for them, they might well have taken ownership of that “meticulously maintained” exterior to the surprising tune of many thousands of future dollars in unanticipated replacement expenditures…meaning that they would have had to dig deep into the pockets and fork over a goodly sum of money to make the repairs. Not a happy thought.

While this was certainly not my first encountered occasion where the “qualities” of a home have been grossly misrepresented and over-exaggerated it did get me to thinking about just how often a home is misrepresented and about just how important it is for a home-buyer to know all that can be reasonably known about the physical condition of the home before they purchase that home.

The fact is that that many aspects of a home can be mis-represented… and not even intentionally so. Having a complete, thorough Home Inspection can go a long way toward making sure that the home is as it is being represented… and prudent home-buyer will always, as part of their due diligence, attain the services of a professional Home Inspector.

When a home is represented as having a super-duper Balcony View, and that the patio furniture conveys, you would do well to make sure that those statements cannot be classified as misleading. You want to make sure that you are purchasing a home that is right for you.

Is This Your Idea Of A Balcony View? Quality Residential Inspections Can Help You To Purchase The Home That Is Right For You...Or Help You Avoid One That Isn't...

Call Quality Residential Inspection and Schedule Your Home Inspection today…speak to a real, live person when you call 919-848-4833. Or, for your convenience, you can you can begin to Schedule Your Home Inspection right here on our website.

To watch any of our InspectBits series of videos on varied issues regarding Home Inspections, visit us on our Raleigh Home Inspection YouTube Channel.

A NCASHI Home Inspector can help you because We Speak House!

You Can Be Sure That Your Raleigh Home Inspector and ASHI Member..."Speaks House"

A New Poll From ASHI Reports More Than 70 Percent of Homeowners Agree Their Home Inspection Helped Them Avoid Potential Problems.

* Nearly 90 percent of all U.S. homeowners surveyed believe home inspections are a necessity, not a luxury.

* A home inspection conducted by an ASHI Certified Inspector examines the physical structure and systems of a house.

* ASHI is the only professional organization of home inspectors that has completed NCCA certification process.

DES PLAINES, Ill, (February 22, 2011) – Nearly three in four (72 percent) U.S. homeowners agree the home inspection they had when they purchased their current primary residence helped them avoid potential problems with their home, according to a survey released today by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). Also, almost two in three (64 percent) noted, in the long run, they saved a lot of money as result of their home inspection. As the housing market begins to recover, ASHI encourages homeowners and buyers to hire a certified home inspector and to get a home inspection to help further protect their investment.

The survey1 was recently conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of ASHI to gauge current consumer perceptions about the purpose and value of a home inspection. Results revealed 88 percent of all homeowners believe home inspections are a necessity, not a luxury.

“ASHI’s goals have always been to build customer awareness of the importance of a home inspection and to enhance the professionalism of home inspectors,” said Kurt Salomon, ASHI president. “It is encouraging to know consumers are listening and understand the significance of protecting their largest single investment, their home.”

While it is clear homeowners who had an inspection understand the value it serves, many still incorrectly believe certain components are included in a standard home inspection. For example, septic systems, electrical wiring and plumbing behind drywall and swimming pools are commonly mistaken as items that are included when, in fact, they typically are not.

“ASHI remains committed to educating consumers on what a standard home inspection is likely to include,” said Salomon. As such, ASHI members have committed to following a Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics that outlines what consumers should expect to be covered in a home inspection report.

During a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes a detailed look at the physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation. An ASHI home inspector will examine the condition of the home’s roof, attic and visible insulation, foundation, basement and structural components, as well as interior plumbing and electrical systems. For a complete list of what’s included in a home inspection, please visit www.ASHI.org.

Additionally, nearly three in four homeowners surveyed (70 percent) assume all home inspectors must be certified and licensed, when in fact, not all are. “It is important for consumers to do their homework before hiring an inspector,” said Salomon.

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) has recognized ASHI as an accrediting association for its profession-leading Certified Inspector Program. As the only home inspection association program approved by the NCCA, this accreditation helps consumers make educated buying decisions and further recognizes ASHI’s Certified Inspectors Program.

ASHI’s “Find an Inspector” tool allows homeowners to locate an inspector in their area. Always check with your local inspector for a complete list of services provided.

About the American Society of Home Inspectors
Founded in 1976 and with more than 5,000 members, ASHI is the oldest and most widely recognized non-profit, professional organization of home inspectors in North America. Its Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics is the industry standard. For more information, visit ASHI online. To stay connected to ASHI news and updates, please visit the association’s Facebook Fan Page – the American Society of Home Inspectors, or follow ASHI on Twitter – @ashi_inspection.

About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is one of the world’s leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what’s next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

Home inspections help you sell

(ARA) – When you’re ready to sell your home in the current market, you need to take every step you can to ensure a timely sale at the price you want. A surplus of homes for sale means that yours needs to stand out in style, amenities and quality to make an impression on potential buyers. The more steps you take to make your house sale-ready, the better results you’ll get.

Currently, home sales are at a historic low — so what do you need to do to buck that trend? Updated decor and proper staging certainly help present your home well, but don’t think that cosmetic fixes are all you need. Buyers want to know the home they’re considering is safe and sound, and the best way to establish that is to hire a home inspector.

Twenty years ago, it seemed extravagant to hire a home inspector, but today it’s standard practice. Buyers will often bring their own inspectors to the table, so you need to start by hiring one yourself. Hiring a professional will give you a realistic perspective on what’s going on in the bones of your home.

“In a down market, a pre-sale inspection can make a home stand out,” says David Tamny, president of the American Society of Home Inspectors. “More and more, sellers are obtaining pre-sale inspections to help uncover and address potential issues before the first prospective buyer walks through the door. This simple step allows for better planning and lowers repair costs, adds value to the home, and it could increase the likelihood of an offer.”

Even if someone in your family is handy, a professional home inspector will be able to point out issues that might go unnoticed by someone who doesn’t know the ins and outs of inspecting. Today’s buyers are quick to point out flaws uncovered by the home inspectors they bring with them, particularly if the flaws could compromise health or safety.

Buyers can use problems as bargaining chips, causing previously agreed upon prices to be lowered or even the cancellation of a deal. Inspections help uncover imperfections that often can be fixed easily and inexpensively, so it’s worth it to get your home inspected before you list it.

In addition, a good inspection can raise the likelihood of an offer being placed on your home. Buyers are looking for security. If you can show them your home has been inspected, they’ll feel more comfortable with it. That confidence often equates to more dollars in your pocket when you agree to the sale.

The areas covered in home inspections are: the major systems and components such as the foundation, exterior siding, flashing and trim, the roof, plumbing, electrical and heating and cooling units. In addition, some home inspectors offer additional services including radon testing, energy assessments and pool and spa inspections.

The current housing market requires a proactive approach to selling, and to get the result you want, you have to think about every aspect of your home. Having a home inspection can add value to the property, speed up the negotiation process, increase the likelihood of an offer and, most importantly, help sell your home

Courtesy of ARAcontent

If you want to maximize your potential for a “quick sale” and avoid repair-related issues late in the transaction process, then give Quality Residential Inspections a call at 919-848-4833 for your pre-sale or pre-listing Home Inspection by your Raleigh Home Inspector.nd