Inspections

Never have a home inspection in the dark. How can you see if the roof is in need of repair? Also, when in the attic, you can't see light coming through where it shouldn't be coming through. And its hard to see water stains in the dark. Also, how can you see other exterior problems in the dark?

For example, I bought a home and had the inspection just at dusk. The inspector went around and was very chummy with the selling realtor. That should have put me on alert. This inspector should have been working for me. But I had to ask if the exterior siding was LP Siding. It was. The inspector said there was evidence of past termite damage near the fireplace. That should have been a huge red flag for me, but at the time, it wasn't. The inspector didn't go up on a ladder to inspect the exterior of the roof because,by then, it was completely dark. That, too, should have been a clue to me this inspector didn't have my best interests at heart. I was paying for the inspection but this inspector didn't seem to be working for me. Tip: If your inspector isn't fixing loose bolts, explaining how the systems work and how you will need to operate/fix/maintain each heating/cooling etc system, get another inspector! At the end of an inspection you should feel you know how to maintain the home. You should know about how long the roof has left, and everything else you'd ever want to know about that home. The inspections I've been to take anywhere from two to three hours.

The purpose of the inspection to help you know what you're buying before it is too late to not buy it. Traditionally, you have 10 days from the date your offer to purchase is accepted by the seller to have the inspection complete and to make a decision on whether you wish to continue to buy that home.