Why have a Home Inspection on an Investment Property?
- A home inspection is a professional, objective, visual examination of the condition of a home, rental property, or commercial building.
- Investors view a home inspection as an excellent way to gain valuable information about their property.
- Many have come to realize the advantages an inspection can be to their business.
- They have learned that it can be used as an excellent selling feature, besides providing an in-depth analysis of the property helping to minimize their legal exposure.
- It also can be used as an excellent tool in evaluating what repair work is required or whether the work done was completed to applicable safety and effectiveness standards.
The following illustrates some of the deficiencies that can be uncovered by a good inspection. This could have caused the owner some serious legal problems.
With every inspection, a detailed report is generated which provides both commentary and pictures.
The inspection will cover all of the major systems of a property, including structure, exterior, roofing, electrical, heating, cooling, insulation, plumbing and interior, as listed below.
Below is a list of some of the many items I inspect during your home inspection
(The list is not intended to be inclusive of all items inspected, but to give an example of some of the major items inspected)
Attics
(insulation, ventilation, rafters, joists and collar ties, trusses, wiring attachments, and other visible related items)
Basement, and Crawl Space
(insulation, ventilation, posts, vapor barriers, utility attachment, structural items, floors and walls, and columns)
Foundation and Support Structure
(Cracking, structural integrity, weathering, soil movements, and and deterioration)
Fireplaces
(Safety, flue operation, fire requirements)
Roof Systems
(shingles, flashings, chimneys, vents, trim and gutters, drip edges, skylights, down spouts, and other visible roof related items)
Basement Seepage
Safety Controls
(smoke alarms, trip hazards, window egress)
Furnace and Heat Systems
(furnace, air cleaning system)
Water Heater
(exhaust gas vent lines, pressure relief valve, leaks, safety strapping)
Ventilation
(adequate combustion air, exhaust fans, hole house fans)
Interiors
(floors and ceilings, walls, stairs (if applicable) and banisters, finishes, sinks, cabinets, shelving, built-in appliances, smoke detectors and safety-related items, and other visible interior-related components)
Electrical Capacity & Components
(service entry and clearances, service panel, switches and outlets, visible wiring and junction boxes, grounding system, and other related electrical components)
Structural Integrity
(cracks, settling, soil upheaval)
Steps and Stairs
(railings, safety requirements, structural integrity)
Heating System
(ventilation, combustion chamber, air filtration, air flow)
Central Air Conditioning System
(ductwork, air conditioner and lines, and other visible related HVAC components)
Walks and Driveways
(siding materials, attachments, windows, doors, sashes and lintels, vents, entryways, and other visible exterior related components)
Built-in Appliances
(operation, water leakage, safety concerns)
Plumbing System & Fixtures
(water distribution system, hose bibs, sinks and faucets, bath/showers and toilets, and other plumbing system components)
Garages, Carports, Workshops or Other External Buildings
(Structural integrity, roofing, electrical, and all other major systems that are applicable)
Surface Drainage
(proper exterior grading and water drainage)
Windows & Doors
(operation, fit, function, screens)
Insulation
(Type, adequacy, depth, and fill)
Gutters & Down spouts
(operation, proper drainage, configuration. cleanliness, and discharge locations)
Decks
(structural integrity, safety items, moisture control)
Sump Pumps
Sometimes clients like to review exactly what is and what is not inspected. As a member of NACHI, the most predominate and prestigious home inspectors association in the US, I adhere to and utilize the Standards of Practice adopted and recommended by them. This document will present in great detail exactly what is and what is not inspected by a Certified NACHI Home Inspector. The button link below “Additional Information” will take you to that document where you can review exactly what NACHI recommends for a home inspection.
Why should owners that rent properties have them inspected?
Here is a prime example of some defects that can occur over time with a home (rental property). If you own and rent a home in this condition, you may expose yourself to serious legal actions. Don’t take the chance, get your home or apartments inspected.
“This home is for sale and the Seller is using it as a rental. The young couple inside is fresh out of college and is planning to use the wood stove for heat. The chimney above the roof looks fine, but inside the attic, the chimney is a fire waiting to happen. In one picture at the bottom is a pile of mortar that has turned to sand. The second picture shows an actual gap that goes straight through the chimney into the liner area and the wood rafter embedded in the chimney since original construction. A fire can occur when the creosote build up ignites and blazes through the brick gaps and ignites the wood rafter which is tied into the roof of course. If this happens at 2:00 AM while the tenants are asleep, it could be deadly. Everybody was glad that there was a home inspection performed. All property owners that rent, should consider a periodical home inspection
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Inspector: Russell Buchanan
- To review the fees associated with this inspection, please click the inspection fees link below
- If you would like to make an appointment for an inspection, please click the appointment link below
- If you have any questions or need to talk to me directly, clink the link below or e-mail me a note, and I will call you
