Arizona Home Inspection News & Information

You Know You’re Ready for a Home Inspection When…

The Boy Scout motto, “Be prepared” applies to you, whether you’re a buyer or a seller, when a home inspection is in your future. Especially if the home is a short sale or foreclosure on the market “as-is” with NO sellers disclosure statement from the lender. An inspection in these instances is even more urgent than with a seller owner or occupied home. Home inspectors can only inspect certain systems and appliances under certain conditions. Being prepared mitigates the risk of rescheduling an unfinished inspection, which can bring on a chain reaction of closing delays.

Sellers know they’re ready for a home inspection when…

The house looks better now than it did when you first moved in.

A good inspector is picky and buyers can be nervous. Everyone else will notice those little fix-it annoyances that you’ve ignored over the years. Repair drippy faucets. Tighten the door handles and cabinet knobs. Spray WD-40 on squeaky doors. Decide your position on major repairs like water damage or roofs—fix or replace them or adjust your price accordingly. Pull out the receipts as proof of age or repair.

You could eat off of the floors.

It’s human nature to tolerate your own messes better than other people’s messes. Unintentionally and automatically, people assume that if regular cleaning was not done, then home maintenance was not either. The goal is to make the impression that you never allowed gunk to accumulate, grease to clog or dust to collect.

The utilities are connected.

Whether the property is unoccupied or not, inspecting a home’s heating and cooling systems, plumbing, appliances, faucets, electrical systems and more requires the basic essentials—water, gas and electricity. I know paying multiple utility bills is hard if you’re living elsewhere, but no utilities means unfinished inspections and that means a delayed or no closing.

You’ve kept the light on for me.

The pilot light that is… Liability insurance agents frown on blowing up buyers, agents and ourselves by lighting pilot lights unfamiliar to us, have been off for a while or not shut off properly. If we’re sent to the hospital, expect closing delays.

You’ve cleared room for me to inspect what I need to see.

Time to clear out those holiday decoration boxes and wrapping paper. I need at least three feet around your systems and appliances to move around. The same goes for the exterior areas, crawlspaces, attics, garages, tubs and shut-off valves.

The laundry is folded and dishes put away.

I’ll fire up your dishwasher, washing machine and dryer to make sure they run. Even if they aren’t included in the final sale, I still need to check that the plumbing, venting and electrical supplies are in working order.

You’re dressed early and have somewhere to go for about three hours.

It’s not uncommon for inspections to last three hours. Occasionally, inspectors get a head start on the outside before the buyers and agent arrives. So don’t walk by a window naked after your shower. Be out of the house, with children and pets in tow, at least thirty minutes before the appointment. If your pet can’t go with you, then crate him away from where we’ll be to avoid any territorial trauma or bites.

We can get inside and around without being arrested.

Leave the keys to all locked doors, utility boxes and system closets in a conspicuous place or give them to the agent ahead of time. If you set the security alarm, provide the codes. Again, inspections are incomplete and closings delayed if we’re thrown in jail for breaking and entering.

Buyers know they’re ready for a home inspection when…

Your role in the inspection is far less involved than the seller’s, but you have a lot at risk. You’ve seen the home, maybe a few times now, and probably have some questions or concerns. Bring them when you attend the inspection. Walk along with me and learn where all the important parts of the house are like the electrical box and the gas and water shut off. Also, you’ll have the peace of mind that I’ve looked at everything.

Be prepared to find flaws. No house is perfect. Just like us, they change, crack and age. After the inspection, you can renegotiate the contract, work toward a solution with the seller or walk away. Since inspection reports have the potential to ultimately affect price, contingency agreements, and ultimately, the closing, being prepared for a home inspection is crucial for all parties involved.

About the Author:  Duane Smith, owner of Integrity Inspections of Arizona, is certified by the State of Arizona and the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and belongs to or is affiliated with American Society of Home Inspectors, Arizona American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI), Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Anthem Chamber of Commerce and SouthEast Valley Regional Association of Realtors (SEVRAR).

© 2010 Integrity Inspections of Arizona.