QUICK TIPS ON YOUR HOME INSPECTION!

Once you have an accepted offer on your home, normally the next step before your contractual agreement, the buyer will have an inspector come to check out your home. No matter the size of your home the minimum inspection time would be about one hour. I have sat through homes that have had engineers come in with list long items that need to be fixed. I guess they figure for the money they are getting paid, they have to find something.

Most people even try to clean out their closets for the inspectors. This is not necessary. The inspector is only looking at the structure of the home. Please buyers make sure your inspector is licensed and certified in the field of inspecting homes. Just because they have a degree as an engineer does not always mean they are certified to inspect a home.

The normal start of an inspection is the outside of a house. They normally look at the grading of the dirt to see if it is leveled away from the house so there is no water leaking into the basement. The inspector will also look at the foundation from the outside to see if there are any abnormal cracks, there are always settling cracks in a foundation. The roof is always looked at and how many layers. Three layers of roof is usually the maximum. If it is a new roof and the contractor who did the job took off the old roof, then hats off to you. You picked a good contractor who knew what he was doing. Of course siding and windows are also looked at to see if they are new or well insulated.

Inside the home the electric outlets are looked to see if they are grounded or GFI. The electric panel is looked at to see safety and up to code. So please make sure the inspector has easy access to the electrical box. The oil burner and hot water heater will be looked at. The basement will be looked at for leaks. The attic will be looked at to see if the rafters and other items are secure. So homeowners also please make sure there is easy access to the attic. The water pressure is checked and sometimes appliances.

Now, sometimes as I stated before the inspector writes a list a mile long. Maybe there is a drippy faucet, a clogged sink, a not so well insulated window etc. It is his job to find these small items. If it is no trouble, please fix them for the buyer. I have so many homeowners that have been too proud to fix a leaky faucet.

Believe it or not, when you get two stubborn people that feel they are both right the deal will die. So be courteous to your buyer and vice versa. If it is a reasonable, not expensive request to fix then please do. You will find a lot less stress and a much easier transaction. Sit back and enjoy packing!

Don't forget to email if you have any further questions, we would love to help you. Do you have a question about Long Island Real Estate or how to buy or sell your home? Well here is your chance to Ask Toni and get the real scoop from a professional!

Just email directly to AskTL@lirealestate.org