Categories Home Inspection

Why You Need a New Home Inspection

new home inspection

Everyone’s goal in selling their home is to find the red flags before negotiations begin and make the most money possible.

Getting an inspection before listing will ultimately save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

A serious buyer will more than likely require a home inspection before sealing the deal, but the pre-listing inspector will not be the same one doing the buyer’s inspection.

The inspector hired by the seller will identify hidden problems and necessary repairs that, once addressed, will ultimately raise the value of your house.

If you receive an A grade, or near, you can hand out copies of the report to potential buyers to showcase the condition of your home.

Save Money

A pre-inspection gives you a heads up on any repairs or problems potential buyers will want you to address. You then have the time to compare costs for different issues and a variety of contractors.

Any issues that show up in the buyer’s inspection report will ultimately lower your asking price, tackle these head on before listing!

A pre-inspection report will also allow you to disclose all problems upfront and this can protect you against claims buyers could make later.

The fewer problems your home has, the faster it will likely sell.

Quick Sales Process

Lessen the time of back-and-forth negotiations and have your house market ready. When repairs are already identified and completed your home will be more attractive to buyers.

Pre-inspection reports will reassure buyers that no major surprises are waiting for them and they’ll feel more comfortable making an offer.

Spotlight Attractive Features

As long as you’re not trying to sell a fixer-upper, a pre-inspection can highlight the selling points of your home.

Whether it’s an electrical upgrade or seriously cool swimming area, instill the confidence in buyers that there are no problems to be found.

Now you know the benefits of a pre-inspection, but what are some things you can do to prepare for the inspection? Check out our tips to ensure a successful inspection:

  • De-clutter: Clean out those spaces below your bathroom or kitchen sinks, move any boxes out of the way, and clear the path to water heaters and other appliances.
  • Full access: Give inspectors complete access by unlocking garages, gates, sheds, etc. and moving any items blocking the path to attics or basements.
  • Turn on lights: Make sure light bulbs work, even in areas of little use like basements or storage spaces.
  • Pull out the paperwork: Provide your inspector with documentation of home maintenance and repairs. This will include roof, chimney, water heater inspections and any insurance claims.
  • Check for clogs: Go through your home and check each sink by running water. Take care of slow drains with store-bought clog removers or contact a plumber for any seriously clogged drains.

Check out what our seller’s inspection provides and give yourself the upper hand in negotiations by avoiding any surprises in an inspection report.

Schedule an inspection with us today.  We guarantee an inspection within 48 hours, and we’re open 7 days a week!

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Categories Home Inspection

Yes — Even New Home Construction Needs An Inspection!

new construction inspection

Even brand new homes need inspections.

Homeowners often link problems down the road to faulty construction from the start. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a new home to have 10-30 issues during the final inspection walk-through.

It doesn’t mean the builder is dishonest; it is simply best to have a second set of eyes, to ensure everything is done to your standards so that you can settle into your new home with sound peace of mind.

Three reasons you should have a private inspection on new construction (in addition to the city inspector!):

    • City inspectors are only responsible for enforcing local building code with minimum safety standards. They do not inspect for the quality of construction or adherence to materials manufacturers’ installation instructions. They do not look for cosmetic flaws, including leaky faucets or scratched tiles.
    • City inspectors are highly overworked AND underpaid. A city inspector may be asked to look at upwards of 20 homes at day. At that volume, they make careless mistakes and overlook simple repairs. Elite Inspection Group never schedules more than two inspections per day, per inspector. We value quality over quantity, any day of the week!
    • New construction inspections are especially useful for out-of-state buyers. EIG will be your eyes and ears on the ground, to ensure your new home meets your desires and your will be ready for you.

If you decide to take on the final inspection yourself, here are a few words of advice.

Make a List — in Writing!

During your inspection, make a list of needed repairs or adjustments. Be sure to get it all down in writing and verify your builder receives the list, either via certified mail or in-person.

Don’t Rush

Take your time walking through your new home. You want to be thorough and detailed in your inspection, so nothing is overlooked. Don’t feel pressured by the builder to “get it over with” — this is your home, and it should be perfect.

Plan Ahead of Schedule

Arrange your final inspection about a week before your closing date, that way if the builder needs to make any repairs, they have plenty of time to get it done. Inspecting too close to your set closing date will only push your move-in date back, should there be additional repairs.

If a self-inspection seems a bit daunting, leave it to us! We break down the new construction home inspection into 3 phases:

  1. Pre-Drywall Inspection: following the installation of framing, plumbing and electrical rough-in and just before the placement of insulation and drywall.
  2. Final Inspection: immediately before your final walk-through with your builder.
  3. 11-month Warranty Inspection: one final look at your home before your warranty expires.

A new construction home inspection should be thorough and inclusive of exterior and interior elements. Here are a few examples of what we’ll look for:

Exterior

  • Foundation
  • Roofing
  • Framing
  • Lot Drainage
  • Doors & Windows
  • Porches & Decks
  • Sidewalks & Driveways
  • Sprinkler System
  • Pool/Spa
  • Built-In Outdoor Appliances

Interior

  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Basements
  • Crawl Spaces
  • Ceilings
  • Floors
  • Attics
  • Insulation
  • Fireplaces
  • Appliances

We Can Help!

Schedule your new home inspection with us today! We’re open seven days a week and are always accepting new clients.

Check out our easy scheduling tool!

Or get a quick quote.

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