Home Inspection Learning Experience

[Ceashels]

I wasn't sure where to put this but this seemed as reasonable as General Chat.

This is mostly a FYI but I learned so much this weekend I wanted to share.

I've heard of some home inspections lasting only an hour so I can't imagine the evaluation took into account what really needs to be looked at.

DH and I have been looking at a rental property for future investment and we have had our eye on one that works out fairly well financially on paper, ie: the rents will pay the mortgage with enough to cover taxes and maintanence.

We had the home inspection on Saturday and were absolutely floored by what he found that we didn't see. The inspector spent 4 hours with us, only inspects with the property owner or the person who hired him and informs us along the way of what he is looking for and what it should be like. This is the type of home inspection everyone should have.

He checked every accessable outlet and moved furniture around to gain access.

He opened every accessable window, checked their locking mechanism, commented on the tension and leaned out to check the caulking around the outside window frame.

He wrapped on the walls and floors in all areas that water was around (baths and kitchen and wash room). He noted any sounds that didn't sound right (both baths walls and floors). He commented on any bowing of tile or floor and what could have caused the problem (water damage). He turned on the sink, flushed the , and opened up the to check for water pressure and any signs of problems.

He noted the little bit of mold on the wall and floor in the utility room and when looking at the kitchen saw that it was never caulked along the counter and backsplash and the wall. There was a 3/8ths inch gap between the backsplash and the wall!!!

He checked the furnace, off, on, and the vents that it flowed to. He had a hi-tech gadget that noted emissions from the vent but he also checked the gas lines from where they entered the property to every appliance and every joint in the line in between. He noted the flexible gas pipe was hidden behind the wall (a potential no no in this area). There were emissions coming from the vent so there is a leak somewhere in the furnace. The one tenant has an infant in the house so this was reported to the owner as it can be serious if it is CO.

We called the property owner for permission to access the panel for the main water valve into the house because the panel was painted over/sealed. He pulled out some insulation to follow the pipe as far as he could. Copper to galvanized pipe is corrosive! (Who knew?)

He checked the wiring into the circuit breaker and noted anything that didn't look to code. He also checked the wiring where it comes into the house.

He took a look at the roof of the porch, noted its pitch, noted any stains and water areas, any sagging, any.....etc.

He was amazing and what he taught us was invaluable.

We are hoping to renegotiate the contract but are willing to walk away from the table if need be. Gutting and replacing the 2 bathrooms alone is more than we want to deal with if there isn't significant compensation.

We have a copy of the report template so next time we walk thru a property, we will have a better idea of what we are looking at and what to look for.

Gotta luv learnin'

[M55FF]

sounds like you had a good inspector. good inspectors, good doctors and good help are hard to find.

[imforpeace]

Wow, that's amazing! Good luck!