The Inspection is one of the most crucial steps in the entire process of buying any home.  Therefore, hiring an experienced, professional Inspector, who represents the Buyer Only, is a very important step in buying your “Dream Home.”  There are a few organizations, the National Association of Home Inspectors, the American Society of Home Inspectors, and the National Society of Building Inspection Engineers, to help ensure that the Buyer is hiring an experienced and professional Inspector.

Executive Avenue, along with the Buyer, will be present and engaged throughout the Inspection process, which averages about 3 hours for a 2,000 square foot home. While the Inspector’s role is mainly to assess the structural stability and safety of your “Dream Home”, the Inspectors, representing the Buyer’s Interest Only, will disclose items in their Inspection Reports including anything found on the property that could need maintenance and/or replacement in the future.

Executive Avenue will use these Inspection Reports as bargaining tools and leverage in negotiating the Best Purchase Price for your “Dream Home.”

A home consists of many complex components including structural framing, physical components, electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning systems.  There are potentially hundreds of items inspected and older homes will not contain the same construction materials and safety features found in newer homes.  The inspection industry is progressively changing and new techniques and materials are introduced every year.  It is imprecise to completely describe a “standard” home inspection because of the numerous and different types of systems, materials, methods and requirements.

On a home’s exterior, an inspector should examine the following:

1. walks, steps, driveways, patios, retaining walls
2. the building envelope, siding and windows
3. the roof, conditions of roofing materials, flashing, skylights, gutters, downspouts and signs of leaks
4. chimney (exterior only), soffits and drainage conditions
5. waterproofing and signs of leakage, proper grading of the surrounding land to reduce the possibility of water intrusion

For a home’s interior, an inspector should examine the following for safety problems:

1. structural stability, especially where the structure is visible below grade
2. structural details and the effects of the home’s settlement
3. bowing, cracking or bulging in the framing
4. handrails on stairs, balconies and decks
5. heating and air conditioning systems
6. plumbing system and fixtures, faucets, tiled bathtubs, shower enclosures, water proofing systems, sump pumps, etc.
7. electrical system and wiring, especially if it appears that a homeowner has added switches and outlets
8. discoloration, peeling paint, sloppy masonry work hiding problems
9. attic and crawl spaces, especially the ventilation and insulation
10. signs (water stains, mildew, odor of dampness, efflorescence on the walls and floors, damaged and cupping floors, etc.) of moisture in the basement or crawl spaces

The expense for an Inspection will vary depending upon the size and age of the house.  You should expect to pay more for older and/or larger homes.  The Inspection Report will be much easier to understand if the Buyer is present and inquiring during the Inspection.  The Inspection Report should detail what is wrong, why it is wrong, and how to correct the uncovered defects.  It should also disclose the existence of any unsafe conditions and any risks of hidden deterioration.

Whatever home you choose to be your “Dream Home”, Executive Avenue represents the Buyer’s Interests Only throughout the entire Inspection process while dealing with the Seller, Listing Agent, Lender and Mortgage Broker.

Free Consultation! Call us to see how we can assist you.