10 secrets of the home inspection secrets of... · 10 secrets of home inspections every home buyer...
TRANSCRIPT
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
10 Secrets of 10 Secrets of
Home Inspections Every Home Home Inspections Every Home
Buyer Should KnowBuyer Should Know
Gordon G FoxGordon G Fox
Fox Inspection GroupFox Inspection GroupProviding Peace of Mind, Providing Peace of Mind,
One Home At A Time, One Home At A Time,
Since 1989!Since 1989!TMTM
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
Houses are like SpousesHouses are like SpousesSecret # 1Secret # 1
�� There is a common misconception among those searching for the peThere is a common misconception among those searching for the perfect rfect home or the perfect spouse that a perfect house and/or spouse achome or the perfect spouse that a perfect house and/or spouse actually tually existsexists……………….Nothing could be further from the truth..Nothing could be further from the truth.
�� While there are no perfect houses / spouses to While there are no perfect houses / spouses to choose from, the fact remains that the choose from, the fact remains that the consequences of a poor choice is consequences of a poor choice is painpain……………….suffering.suffering………………and economic loss.and economic loss.
�� So choose wiselySo choose wisely…………………………....
�� Focus on the negative and you will only see the problemsFocus on the negative and you will only see the problems
�� Focus on the positive and life is goodFocus on the positive and life is good
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
Focus your attention on big ticket itemsFocus your attention on big ticket itemsSecret # 2Secret # 2
�� RoofRoof
�� HVACHVAC
�� FoundationFoundation
�� AppliancesAppliances
�� ElectricalElectrical
�� PlumbingPlumbing
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
Most issues found are typical for Most issues found are typical for
the neighborhood the neighborhood Secret # 3Secret # 3
focus on the focus on the AtypicalAtypical issuesissues�� RoofRoof
�� HVACHVAC
�� FoundationFoundation
�� AppliancesAppliances
�� ElectricalElectrical
�� PlumbingPlumbing
For instance, if all the homes in the area were built in the 1960s, expect there to be
some foundation settlement. The foundation will have moved. It is normal for there to be a few cracks. The rough driveway or lifting
sidewalk are not important issues.
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
RoofRoofSecret # 4Secret # 4
�� Roof over wood Roof over wood
shinglesshingles
�� Older than 15 yearsOlder than 15 years
�� Typical LifespanTypical Lifespan
Most Insurance Most Insurance
Companies do not Companies do not
allowallow
Red flag for insurance Red flag for insurance
companycompany
1515--18 Years in SE Texas 18 Years in SE Texas
sunsun
Every buyer wants a NEW roof, but not every home Needs a new rooEvery buyer wants a NEW roof, but not every home Needs a new roof!f!
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
HVAC HVAC Secret # 5Secret # 5
�� Average serviceable Average serviceable
life life (think in terms of a car)(think in terms of a car)
�� Older than 10 yearsOlder than 10 years
�� Get a warrantyGet a warranty
1212--15 years15 years
Be prepared for a Be prepared for a
financial hitfinancial hit
Prepare to hagglePrepare to haggle
Every buyer wants a NEW A/C, but not every home NEEDS a newEvery buyer wants a NEW A/C, but not every home NEEDS a new A/CA/C
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
FoundationFoundationSecret # 6Secret # 6
�� 2 types of 2 types of
foundationsfoundations in greater in greater
Houston areaHouston area
�� Expansive clay soilsExpansive clay soils
Those that have Those that have
moved and those moved and those
that will movethat will move
�� House sits on House sits on
ground, ground ground, ground
moves, house moves, house
movesmoves
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
AppliancesAppliancesSecret # 7Secret # 7
�� Typical serviceable Typical serviceable
life of kitchen life of kitchen
appliancesappliances
1010--15 years15 years
Or until spouse wants to Or until spouse wants to remodelremodel
Every buyer wants NEW appliances, Every buyer wants NEW appliances,
but not every home NEEDS new appliancesbut not every home NEEDS new appliances
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
ElectricalElectricalSecret # 8Secret # 8
�� Deficient if not to Deficient if not to
current / today's current / today's
electrical codeelectrical code
�� If something doesnIf something doesn’’t t
work, fix itwork, fix it
�� If it ainIf it ain’’t broket broke…………
�� AFCIAFCI
�� GFCIGFCI
�� GroundingGrounding
If you want a NEW
If you want a NEW electrical system
electrical system buy a NEW house
buy a NEW house
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
PlumbingPlumbingSecret # 9Secret # 9
�� Be Concerned with Be Concerned with
big ticket items big ticket items
onlyonly
�� Shower pan $1Shower pan $1--3,0003,000
�� Active water leaksActive water leaks
�� 4040--50 year old cast 50 year old cast
iron drain linesiron drain lines
�� Water heater 8Water heater 8--12 12
years years $400$400--$1,200$1,200
�� Cast iron drain lineCast iron drain line
ExpensiveExpensive
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
TREC Form OPTREC Form OP--IISecret # 10 and the Secret # 10 and the Biggest SecretBiggest Secret
�� No inspection report issue must be repairedNo inspection report issue must be repaired
�� The only The only mandatorymandatory repairs are what the repairs are what the
mortgage lender, appraisal, or insurance mortgage lender, appraisal, or insurance
companycompany requires.requires.
�� The rest is negotiated between the parties The rest is negotiated between the parties
((buyer and sellerbuyer and seller). Consult with your Real Estate ). Consult with your Real Estate
Professional.Professional.
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
TREC Form OPTREC Form OP--II
�� Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) has Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) has adopted Standards of Practice adopted Standards of Practice requiring requiring licensed inspectors to report these licensed inspectors to report these conditions as conditions as ““DeficientDeficient”” when performing an when performing an inspectioninspection
�� Neither the Standards of Practice nor the Neither the Standards of Practice nor the TREC contract forms requires a seller to TREC contract forms requires a seller to remedy conditions revealed by an remedy conditions revealed by an inspection.inspection.
The decision to correct a hazard or any deficiency The decision to correct a hazard or any deficiency identified in an inspection report is left to the identified in an inspection report is left to the
parties to the contractparties to the contract
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
STANDARD HOME INSPECTION
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
STRUCTURAL
� Inspector tries to physically get on the roof
� Checks the entire roofing system
� Checks all penetrations through the roof
� Crawls through the attic checking for evidence of water penetration and for proper framing (if there is a crawl space)
� Load bearing walls, inside & outside, down to and including the foundation system
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
Probable water penetration
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
Roof shingles not properly installed
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
Major crack in foundation
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
STRUCTRUAL / RECAP
� TOP TO BOTTOM
� ROOF DOWN TO FOUNDATION
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
MECHANICAL
� Check all built in appliances
� Dishwasher, disposal, oven, range top, kitchen vent, garage door operators, ceiling fans, etc.
� Central heating and cooling
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
ELECTRICAL
� Starting from where power connects to house
� Breaker panel, where the breakers are
� To all accessible outlets, switches
� All accessible wiring
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
Old Knob & Tube wiring should be replaced
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
PLUMBING
� Check for proper operation of all the sinks, faucets, commodes, bath tubs, shower, water heaters, etc.
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
ADDITIONAL INSPECTIONS
� Hydrostatic test of Cast iron drain lines below house (performed by a Plumber)
� Termites
� Stucco
� Chinese Drywall “2006”
� Pool (performed by Pool Specialist)
� Infrared / Thermal Imaging
� Environmental (performed by Specialist)� Mold, Lead, Asbestos, Radon
www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330
QUESTIONS?
Call 713-723-3330
Or email us at [email protected]
Additional information available on our websitewww.FoxInspectionGroup.com