“Location, Location, Location”
There is always a lot of talk about whether or not to attend the home inspection. Wealways recommended that the person for whom the inspection is ordered (the one who has the most to lose), attend the inspection. And, for very good reason.
There are two main reasons for having a real estate home inspection or a home building inspection performed by a certified home inspector. Buyers seriously considering a real estate purchase gain an exacting overview of the property and its condition before closing. This aids in formulating an offer, negotiating price, or finzlizing the purchase contract. By having a pre purchase inspection done, the buyer is knowledgeable about both negative and positive aspects of the property so there are no unpleasant surprises later. Property maintenance needs are also made known in advance.
A General Home Inspection (GHI) can usually be described as a training session for the buyer. As Bob Zoller notes, “This is the time you become familiar with the locations of the various critical system and component shutoffs.”
Here are just a few of the items the inspector will point out as you accompany him, and should be printed in the final report:
- Main Water Serviceshutoff valve.
- Electrical Servicedisconnect and associated panels, main and sub.
- Natural Gas Serviceentrance and shutoff valve, if applicable.
- Gas, Electric, and Watermeters.
- Individual applianceshutoffs or valves, i.e. furnace, water heater, gas oven, gas log fireplace, gas dryer, humidifer water line shutoff, etc.
- Sump Pump(s), type of pump, and method of maintaining properly.
- Dryer VentHookup, Exterior Vent, and Venting Material.
- Whole House and Attic Fanswitches.
- Air Conditioningelectricaldisconnect box.
- Hot Tub, Whirlpool TubGFCI reset outlets
- Refrigerator Ice-Makersupply line shutoff.
At the end of your inspection, you should be able to recall where each one of these systems is located and how to manage it properly. Do not hesitate to ask your inspector to do a refresh. Waiting until you have an issue or an emergency is not the best time to try and remember.
You will receive a comprehensive inspection report to use going forward with your new home; but being on site during the inspection provides a great working knowledge base to ensure your understanding of the systems and components of your new home. For more information on what to ask before you hire an inspector or what the inspection will cover, visit our website at www.homemd.com.
