"7 Shocking Reasons Why Hiring a ‘Cheap' Home Inspector Could Be the Most Expensive Decision You Ever Make"
Inside you'll learn...
Why you need a home inspector you can count on to eliminate risk, negotiate the right price, and save yourself from headaches and even lawsuits!
That the state of California currently has NO home inspector licensing requirement...and what that means for your ability to hire a competent professional...
Why "cheap" inspectors might be more interested in preserving their relationship with your realtor than with your transaction...and how to make sure you get someone who looks out for YOUR best interest first...
The amount of training most reliable inspectors receive-and how to tell if your inspector measures up
What to do when your inspector tries to "tell you" about problems instead of putting them in report (and why you must never, EVER let them do it)...
How to avoid being taken to the cleaners by contractors "masquerading" as home inspectors...and why this is is such a HUGE problem...
How to find a REPUTABLE home inspector in the Sacramento area who will do a thorough job and provide you lasting peace of mind on your next real estate transaction!
For what ever reason, you find yourself in a position where you need to sell your home. Before listing your home with a realtor, it is customary to try to do a little clean up, paint some walls and do some landscaping in hopes of making your home more appealing than the rest. One thing most sellers do not think of is getting a home inspection done. They tend to think that this type of thing is only done by the buyer. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. A home inspection should actually be done by the seller too!
By getting a pre-listing home inspection done, the seller has the advantage of finding out what the actual current condition of their home really is. This inspection, which is done by a trained professional, takes somewhere between two to four hours to complete depending on the size of the house, number of bedrooms and baths. Areas that are covered in a typical home inspection include an evaluation of the roof, attic, plumbing, electrical, foundation, doors, windows and even crawlspaces. Although the inspector does not tear in to walls and such, they conduct a visual assessment of your home looking past all the cosmetic features for signs that lead to potential problems.
As a seller, you will want to be present when the home inspection is done. By tagging along with the inspector, you get to see first hand what they look for and how they uncover the problems. While you are there, you can also ask any questions that arise about the whole home inspection process. You are able to actually see the true condition of your home through the eyes of a trained professional by showing you what really lies beneath the surface.
Once the home inspection is complete, the seller will receive a written report that describes in detail the findings of the inspection. This is a very valuable tool for the seller as it makes you aware of things that will show up on the inspection that the buyer has done prior to closing. By knowing about the problems ahead of time, you have the opportunity to get estimates and then make the repairs as needed. If you didn't have a pre-listing inspection done, you would be scrambling at the end of the process trying to get the necessary repairs done and in most cases, spending a lot more money to do this.
Bottom line, if you are planning to sell your house it is imperative that you get a pre-listing home inspection done before putting your home on the market. This gives you the peace of mind knowing that you have done everything possible to have your home in top selling condition and also eliminates the possibility of surprise problems that could surface as a result of the buyer's home inspection. When it comes to selling your home, it is much easier and less painful to be proactive instead of reactive.
Solar energy is basically power generated from the light and heat of the sun. It is a clean and renewable source of energy that can be used for everything from heating Sacramento homes to running vehicles. The use of solar energy is not a new idea. Different concepts concerning using solar energy were thought of centuries ago, with a small surge in popularity for uses as we know them a little over a hundred years ago. Since the main sources used for energy have become increasingly worse for the environment, and as the supplies for these sources dwindle, the importance for solar energy has been made more and more apparent.
Simple uses of solar energy to heat water and cook food are able to be dated well into the past. New concepts of how to harness this type of energy to be used for heating and cooking have developed quickly. Solar powered homes have also been a concept that was developed decades ago, although the concept is really coming into its own now. Solar energy can be used to power everything in a home, including lighting, heat, and even appliances such as television. The key is to be able to collect the sun's energy and direct it to be used in the way that is most beneficial.
Another great example of the use of basic solar power is to consider a greenhouse. This idea has been made more aware by the general public learning what the "greenhouse" effect is. By looking at a regular greenhouse, one can see that the light and heat from the sun comes in through a clear material such as glass or clear type plastic, and then is trapped inside providing the right conditions to grow certain types of plants that would not otherwise be able to grow in that type of environment. This application of solar energy is very important to areas in which the outside temperature is cold enough to prevent the growth of food bearing plants.
There are many types of renewable green energy available for use with many more applications coming out every day. Solar energy is just one of them. Some may be a bit skeptic about the use of solar power in areas where there is not as much sunny weather, but with the developing technologies, even gray skies can provide a source of solar power. Other ideas that have been tried and used include the use of solar energy to power vehicles, and the mass collection of solar power to be used on a large scale.
Considering just how important it is to the environment to continue developing and using green energies such as solar power, attention needs to continue to be brought to the idea. This is a type of power that is being thought of for use or is already in use in many countries around the world. The use of solar energy will lead to less dependence on fossil and other dirty burning fuels.
James Budrow American Pride Home Inspection Service 1-877-IB4-UBuy (424-8289)
For generations there has been a section of the population focused on solar energy and its possibilities. From 6th century Roman applications to the very first solar cell built in the 1880's by Charles Pitts man has sought ways to use the natural light for humanities benefit.
Early uses of solar energy were limited to positioning of windows or the incorporation of an oculus such as is found at the top of the Pantheon in Rome. Early Romans found light to be so important that the prescribed to the idea of right to light, that was later adopted by Great Britain as law. This right basically says that a man has a right to receive illumination, therefore when the owner of a building with windows has received light this way for twenty years then said owner can forbid the building of any structure that might block that light.
It would not be until later that people would begin to experiment with ways of harnessing and storing the energy emitted from the sun. As the case is, so many times necessity would spur more innovation as the years went by. When a back up power source was needed for the satellite Vanguard I, solar power was used with outstanding results. The satellite was able to run a full year after its main power source was gone.
Through all these different periods, there have been new discoveries. Large-scale solar panel applications have been used in large corporate buildings, offshore oil platforms and for towers and structures linked to the telecommunications industry. All of these use solar energy collected through a photovoltaic array. This is a collection of solar cells, linked to form solar panels that are linked to more solar panels producing AC current, which is then routed through an inverter to power the structure. In remote areas, this system will also include battery storage. Although these have been found to be successful, a full application has still been out of reach for the ordinary consumer.
However, the tide may be turning on the practical use for homeowners. A new kid on the scene of solar energy is geothermal. This system uses the energy of the sun to heat and cool homes or buildings. This is a great application because HVAC units equal nearly a third of our energy consumption. Geothermal may change all of that, this type of heating and cooling works through a radiator type system. Coils are buried in the upper ten feet of the ground; this is where the temperature remains constant. In the summer, hot air from the building will be pulled through a heat exchanger out of the building to be dissipated in the cooler ground. In the winter an opposite effect happens in that the warmth from the ground is transmitted back into the building, this gives the owner heating and cooling with practically no environmental impact.
Another possible boom in the industry that will allow consumers to use green solar energy without doing major modifications to their homes are the solar farms that are being built in the southwest corner of the United States. Here companies are looking to capitalize on the intense amounts of sunlight this area receives each year and converting that into solar powered electricity to be sold to consumers. Here they will use a system that has forty-foot tall dishes similar to a satellite dish, these are called parabolic dishes and they work by focusing all the captured sunlight on the heating element of a Stirling engine. This process is creating kinetic energy that will then be converted to electricity via a generator. Plans are under way for large-scale application of this technology very soon.
There is a lot of aggravation associated with selling a Sacramento home in today's real estate market. Prices of homes are down, there's the ‘credit crunch,' and there are a lot of Sacramento homes on the market as well. Sacramento home buyers are definitely in the "driver's-seat!"
"But one easy and economical thing the Sacramento home seller can do to get their house sold quicker, with less hassle and often times for more money is to get an inspection on the home before they list it for sale," James Budrow With American pride Home Inspection Service said. It's much better for the Sacramento home seller to understand the issues with the house and to deal with them before the buyers arrive in order to increase the chances of the sale moving forward."
"Sacramento home buyers want to buy a home that is in excellent condition, no matter what age of the home is," James said. There is one big secret that all Sacramento home sellers need to know; Sacramento home buyers make their choice to purchase a Sacramento home based on emotion and then they validate their choice with logic.
And another thing is similarly true: Sacramento home buyer's can fall out of love with a home just as rapidly as they fell in love with it. So why allow a Sacramento buyers inspector to develop a laundry list of deficiencies with the home and possibly jeopardizing the sale of the home? That's why having a Sacramento home inspection on a home before you put it on the market makes absolute sense.
A Pre-listing Sacramento Home Inspection will not only reveal the deficiencies the Sacramento home seller needs to be aware of, but it gives the seller time to obtain multiple bids for the labor that needs to be done and to select the best Sacramento contractors at the best value.
"The intent of our Sacramento Pre-Listing Inspection is not to find the $200 problems; it is to find the $2,000 problems. These are the type of things that can affect people's choice to buy," James said. These types of problems are generally unknown to the Sacramento home seller and may become the deal breakers.
A Sacramento home inspection done by American Pride Home Inspection Service is a systematic, in-depth visual inspection of the Sacramento home and its operating components. It includes such components as trees, shrubs, drainage and their effects on the foundation, structural components, roofing, chimneys, gutters and downspouts, siding and trims, attics, plumbing, electrical, heating, interior, and the condition of the crawl space.
"I understand that a Sacrament home seller doesn't want to hear any bad news," James said. But they have to understand that no Sacramento home is perfect, and as soon as they recognize that, they are closer to making their Sacramento home more Marketable. Remember, making your Sacramento home the most marketable it can be should be your ideal goal. That's why I recommend having a Pre-Listing Sacramento Home Inspection done upfront."
American Pride Home Inspection Service is located in Sacramento, California and can be reached at 1-877-424-8289. The company offers Sacramento Home Inspections, Mold Inspections, Neighborhood Environmental Reports, and Yearly Maintenance Inspections for single and multi-family residences. They serve home buyers and home sellers in the Sacramento Valley.
When you're spending a small fortune on home improvements, the last thing you want is to lose money on it. That’s why it’s wise to take all the necessary steps to insure your project before you begin. For starters, contact your insurer. Some remodeling projects can leave your home temporarily exposed, both financially and physically. Materials could be stolen from the job site before they are installed. The addition of a second or third story on your house might leave your home exposed to the elements, many of which might not be covered under a typical homeowners policy. If you’re planning a large project, you should be able to purchase temporary coverage in the form of an insurance rider just in case there is an accident or theft on the job site. Your insurance agent can advise you on short-term coverage options. Next, only hire a contractor who is properly insured. When hiring a contractor, ask for proof of personal liability, workers’ compensation, and property damage insurance. Any subcontractors or specialized contractors should also show evidence of property damage insurance. The reason being, if a professional contractor is working on your house and one of their workers is injured, you're not liable. If the contractor damages something, destroys something or burns your house down, you're protected. Likewise, if the contractor's tools or equipment are stolen or damaged while the project is happening, their insurance will cover those costs. An uninsured contractor may quote you a lower price for the project, but you'll pay the price if something goes wrong during the job. And don't take the contractor’s word for it that he or she is insured, ask for their certificate of insurance and verify the information with the insurer. If you are doing the work yourself, there is no need for general liability or workers’ compensation insurance. However, depending on your qualifications, your agent may recommend that you hire a professional instead. Any type of work that would require a license, such as electrical work, should be performed by a licensed professional. In the event you cause damage to your property and your insurance provider determines that your negligence caused the damage, your homeowners policy may deny payment for the claim. Obtain building permits. Most renovations or remodeling projects will require building permits, especially if the structure of your home will change. And the work must comply with building codes set forth by the city or county government. Contact your local government to determine whether or not your project requires a building permit. If it does, have the contractor apply for the permit. Upon completion of the work, a building inspector will inspect the contractor’s work. If the work is not up to code and fails inspection, the contractor is liable and must make any necessary modifications in order to pass inspection. An inept contractor can affect coverage under your policy. The insurance company could refuse coverage on a home addition or other renovation if it does not meet building code. Estimate the value of the project. Not all home improvement projects warrant a change to your homeowners policy. If you remove linoleum flooring in the bathroom and replace it with ceramic tiles, upgrade an appliance or install new countertops in the kitchen, your current coverage is probably sufficient. But any time you invest $10,000 or more into your home, call your insurance agent. Sometimes it’s even worth calling your agent if the home improvement is under $10,000. For example, replacing the roof or installing a new heating and cooling system can actually lower your insurance premiums. Carefully review your policy. Once the work is finished, your agent can help you determine the new value of the property. Consider the project incomplete until you review the policy with your agent and make any necessary changes to it. You want the policy to reflect the home’s new value for obvious reasons. If your home burns to the ground and you were underinsured, the insurance company will only pay the policy limit unless you carry extended replacement cost coverage. Even then, you may not be adequately covered. _______________________________
When a buyer inks a deal with a seller, the buyer, of course, expects the household appliances, electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems to work after they move in. If the home is sold during the colder winter months, next summer when the homeowner cranks up the air conditioner and only hot air flows from the vents, what is the buyer supposed to think? The seller lied. It’s the inspector’s fault. Or worse, it’s the agent's fault. You know the new owner is thinking it’s somebody's fault. The buyer calls you and wants you to call the listing agent who then calls the seller. "The air conditioner doesn’t work. The new owner is demanding that you replace it," says the agent. It’s one of “those” days that makes you wonder why you got into real estate in the first place. Of course, the air conditioner worked just fine last summer, says the seller, who refuses to buy a new air conditioner for the buyer…who would? The seller’s agent calls you back with a response, you call the buyer and the buyer isn’t buying the seller’s story that the air conditioner worked last summer. It probably hadn’t worked for several years and that’s why the seller waited until the fall to put the house on the market! The buyer contacts an attorney and now lawyers are involved. The seller, the home inspector, and both agents are named in the lawsuit. Anyone can sue anyone. Even though the air conditioner worked last summer, the seller gives in and pays for the replacement of the air conditioner. Why? A lawsuit is expensive and the final outcome uncertain. A seller can easily avoid this type of situation by purchasing a home warranty. No phone calls, no wasted time, no accusations, no stress. If the air conditioning, heating, electricity, plumbing, water heater or appliances stop working, the home warranty company is there to take care of it, and all for about the same price as a visit to an attorney’s office.
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New Home Woes
Buyers purchasing new construction often think that they don’t need an inspector because the home is covered by the builder’s warranty or because it was approved by a building inspector. Even the newest of homes are not free of defects. A builders’ warranty is only as good as the builder is ethical, and although building inspectors can be just as thorough as home inspectors, they may have to inspect 10, 15 or possibly 20 homes in a single day. A home inspector schedules ample time to examine home from top to bottom. Shortcuts and errors often go undetected by a new homeowner and can cause serious issues in the future. A builder’s warranty eventually expires and coverage is very limited after the first year. By inspecting the roof, siding, electric panel, heating and cooling systems, plumbing and other common areas for flaws, homeowners can avoid costly repairs down the road. Whether new or old, all homes have imperfections. Identifying those flaws and either fixing them or simply watching their development is key.
Ask Us About Our Yearly Maintenance Inspection Discounts
July 2007
Top Ten Home Safety Tips
Fire extinguishers: Every home should have one multi-purpose fire extinguisher on every level of the home and one extinguisher for the garage. It is a good idea to have a larger extinguisher in your garage because flammable liquids are most likely stored and used there. Fire extinguishers should be mounted no higher than 5 feet off the floor in a spot near the exit that is visible and unblocked by storage. Make sure everyone living in the home knows how to use the equipment.
Smoke detectors: Most home fires occur while the occupants are asleep. Smoke detectors should be installed on every level of the home, especially in or near sleeping areas. They should be tested monthly and replaced every five years unless the manufacturer recommends otherwise.
Carbon monoxide detector: Any fuel-burning appliance in a home is a possible source of carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, colorless - and deadly - gas. Install a CO detector/alarm in the hallway near every separate sleeping area of the home. All CO detectors should display the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label. Replace CO detectors every five years unless the manufacturer recommends sooner.
Ground-fault circuit interrupters: These electronic devices monitor the electricity flowing in a circuit. If an imbalance occurs, the GFCI interrupts power faster than a blink of an eye to prevent a lethal dose of electricity. Install Ground-fault circuit interrupters in bathrooms, kitchens, the laundry room, outdoor receptacles, and the garage. Test them monthly to insure proper operation.
Properly marked shutoffs: Tag your home shutoff valves for gas, oil, and water, and the main shutoff for the electrical supply. Know how to safely turn off these services.
Utility ladder/stepstool: Using a ladder or stepstool to get to hard-to-reach places is safer than climbing on stacked boxes or using a chair, which could lead to injury.
Emergency phone list: Important phone numbers should be posted by each telephone in the home including fire, police, EMT/ambulance, doctors, and poison control.
Emergency evacuation plan: There should be two ways to exit each room, especially sleeping areas. All occupants of the home should help create the plan and test it on a regular basis.
Special considerations for homes with children:
Child-safety gates at top and bottom of the stairwells
Locking cabinets for household cleaners, pesticides, pool cleaners, matches, lighters, and other flammable liquids
Child-proof section in the medicine cabinet
Cabinet locks for kitchen and bathroom
Plastic safety caps on electrical outlets
Metal fire screen covering the fireplace
Edge guards for sharp-edged furniture
Protective surfacing around and under playground equipment
Special considerations for homes with pools:
Life preservers
Rescue equipment
A lockable cabinet for pool chemicals
A four-foot fence with self-closing and latching gate
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Ask Us About Our Yearly Maintenance Inspection Discounts
July 2007
Creating Lifetime Customers
When it comes to buying a home, you can't have too much information. For most people, it's the biggest investment anyone will make in their lifetime. Buyers really depend on their Realtor® to help them identify a good home, one that's worth a closer look. You can help your clients spot a potentially good buy with a few basic home inspection tips. Of course, a professional home inspection should be performed once there is a signed contract.
While looking for the perfect home, buyers should keep in mind two very important questions:
How is the home going to fit their needs? How easy is this home going to be to resell?
A buyer should look at potential homes with a critical eye and refrain from getting too emotionally involved. Buyers often make the mistake of assuming that they will live in the home forever. It may sound strange to ask your buyers about selling a home before purchasing it, but it's important to remember that the property is not only a home, it's an investment. As you know, most people move to a new home within seven years.
If your buyers are looking at houses, start by looking at the overall location of how the structure sits on the lot. The property surrounding the house should pitch away from the house, keeping water from entering the home. Are there low points in the yard? If so, heavy rains may create temporary ponds.
Take a good look at the roof. Are there missing, torn or warped shingles? Is the roofline straight? Replacing a roof is a hefty expense; make sure the roof is in good condition and ask when it was last replaced.
What is the condition of the driveway? A cement driveway is more expensive than asphalt, but typically lasts longer. Are there cracks in the driveway or is it in good condition? Take a look at the garage floor, sidewalks and walkways, too.
Inspect the siding. Do you see cracks in the exterior brick, peeling paint or any damage? If the house is painted, ask the seller or the seller's agent how often the house requires painting.
First impressions about the inside are important. It is best to walk through the house twice. The first time through the house, you get a feel for the layout and "flow" of the floorplan. Note your buyer's first impressions about room sizes and locations. If the home has a tiny kitchen, bathroom or bedrooms, this might make it more difficult to sell later on. Some homes have unusual features, such as a washer and dryer housed in a kitchen closet, a bathroom off the kitchen or a bedroom off the living room. And, some things may not be so obvious at first, like a dishwasher located on the opposite wall from the kitchen sink. These things can be expensive to change.
When touring the house the second time around, encourage your clients to be nosy. This is an opportunity to perform a "mini-inspection" prior to hiring a professional home inspector. Open every closet door and cabinet. These areas should be dry and free of mildew odors. Open and close every window to make sure they function properly. Inspect every visible part of the walls and ceilings for cracks or water damage. Walk through the attic, garage and basement. Check the air filter and air ducts.
Test the heating and air conditioning systems if the weather permits. Ask the seller about the age of the electric and plumbing and find out if they were recently inspected. Ask the seller when the air conditioner, furnace, and water heater were installed.
What is the age of each kitchen appliance? How old is the washer and dryer? You can find the manufactured date somewhere on the inside or on the back of the appliance. Knowing the age of the appliances and the average lifetime helps determine how long each will serve your client.
If you can, talk to the homeowner and ask about improvements or repairs they've made to the home. Ask about the average cost for each utility bill. Have your clients contact the utility companies providing service at the property and obtain the average monthly cost for the last twelve months of service.
Have your buyers call their insurance agent. If the home had a previous water or mold claim, it can be difficult or impossible to get insurance.
Contact the local municipal office. Find out if there are any significant changes planned for the area where the home is located. There may be plans to build a park nearby, widen the street, build a new shopping center, etc. Whether it's an improvement or something that deters your buyers from buying a particular property, an informed buyer is a confident buyer, and a lifetime customer.
American Pride Home Inspection Services recommends that you receive a Home Maintenance Inspection every year after you have closed on your property. For about the cost of a basic automotive tune-up, a Home Maintenance Inspection can help to identify problems and damage in your home before they become an expensive or irreversible threat to your fiscal and physical well-being.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
sell your home. Before listing your home with a realtor, it is customary to try to do a little clean up, paint some walls and do some landscaping in hopes of making your home more appealing than the rest. One thing most sellers do not think of is getting a 
the environment, and as the supplies for these sources dwindle, the importance for solar energy has been made more and more apparent.
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