subject: Four Home Inspection Tips To Use Prior To Hiring A House Inspector [print this page] There is a great deal of cost associated with purchasing a home. From taxes to realtor fees, closing costs and down payment obligations, finances can be tight. It's important to be smart about spending during the buying process. That is why everyone should conduct their own home inspection before paying for a professional. The reason for this is that if a potential home has some serious problems that even a novice can spot, it's best to simply move on to a different house that doesn't already have problems. When someone doesn't see any issues with their own home inspection, that's when it's time to hire a professional.
The first thing someone should do for their own inspection of the home is to at the details of water control. Nothing ruins a house like poor drainage. Check out the gutters, downspouts, slant of the house and lot to see where any access water will end up collecting. If it appears there have been water problems in the past or there is nowhere for excess water to drain off, that is a big red flag.
The second tip to consider when doing a pre-inspection before buying is to look at the basic structure. Even brand new homes can have their set of problems. If they were not constructed properly, there should be signs in the structure. For instance, if the wall corners are not square, if the floor flexes when walked upon, if there are bumps and curves in the walls themselves, that all means something was constructed poorly. When warning signs like this appear, it's best to cut bait and start the search for a different house.
The third tip to use for inspecting a home before hiring a home inspector is to check the insulation. This is especially important in older houses as the regulations have changed to reflect a different minimum than what was set in the past. Attic insulation should be between R-19 and R-38 (between 6 and 12 inches of fiberglass). Wall insulation should be checked too. Inadequate insulation leads to colder houses in the winter and warmer houses in the summer as well as very high utility bills.
The last tip to consider would be the basic kitchen and bathroom fixtures. These might include fixtures for faucets, toilets and tubs. They should work properly and water pressure should be check as well. If there is little water pressure that is a red flag that should not be ignored. Indeed, those who take the time to check these tips and do their own pre-inspection will save money in the home buying process.
