Central Florida Home Inspections
by Ron Letchworth, Certified Home Inspector

Serving Marion, Levy, and Citrus Counties, including Ocala, Silver Springs, McIntosh, Reddick, Yankeetown, Gainesville, Newbery, Dunnellon, Belleview, Crystal River, Williston, Bronson, Inverness, Beverly Hills, Hernado, Lecanto, Homosassa, and Floral City, FL.

 

Home
Insurance Inspection
Who Needs It?
New Construction Svc.
Your Inspector
Price Quote
Inspection Tips
About NACHI

Contact Ron at:

Office
(352) 465-2399
or Cell
(352) 445-9245

or Email Ron


Certified Mold Inspections
Certificate #1335


Certified as a Disaster Housing Inspector as recognized by FEMA
 

Articles Provided by NACHI for Home Buyers and Sellers

Buying a home? The process can be stressful.  A home inspection is supposed to give you peace of mind, but often has the opposite effect.  You will be asked to absorb a lot of information in a short time.  This often includes a written report, checklist, photographs, environmental reports, and what the inspector himself says during the inspection.  All this combined with the seller's disclosure and what you notice yourself makes the experience even more overwhelming.  What should you do?

Relax.  Most of your inspection will be maintenance recommendations, life expectancies, and minor imperfections.  These are nice to know about.  However, the issues that really matter will fall into four categories:

  1. Major defects.   An example of this would be a structural failure.
  2. Things that lead to major defects.  A small roof-flashing leak, for example.
  3. Things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy, or insure the home.
  4. Safety hazards, such as a garage door without a properly operating automatic reverse sensor.

Anything in these categories should be addressed.  Often a serious problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect both life and property (especially in categories 2 and 4).

Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of defects uncovered during an inspection.  Realize that sellers are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the report.  No home is perfect.  Keep things in perspective.  Don't kill your deal over little things that don't matter.  It is inappropriate to demand that a seller address deferred maintenance, conditions already listed on the seller's disclosure, or nit-picky items.


Pre-Listing Inspection

Eventually your buyers are going to conduct an inspection.  You may as well know what they are going to find by getting there first.  Having an inspection performed ahead of time helps in many other ways:

bulletIt allows you to see your home through the eyes of a critical third-party.
bulletIt helps you to price your home realistically.
bulletIt permits you to make repairs ahead of time so that...
bulletDefects won't become negotiating stumbling blocks later.
bulletThere is no delay in obtaining the Use and Occupancy permit.
bulletYou have the time to get reasonably priced contractors or make the repairs yourself, if qualified.
bulletIt may encourage the buyer to waive the inspection contingency.
bulletIt may alert you of items of immediate personal concern, such as radon gas or active termite infestation.
bulletIt may relieve the prospect's concerns and suspicions.
bulletIt reduces your liability by adding professional supporting documentation to your disclosure statement.
bulletAlerts you to immediate safety issues before agents and visitors tour your home.

Copies of your inspection report along with receipts for any repairs should be made available to potential buyers.

 

Buying a home?  It is probably the most expensive purchase you'll ever make.  This is no time to shop for a cheap inspection.  The cost of a home inspection is very small relative to the home being inspected.  The additional cost of hiring a NACHI certified inspector is almost insignificant.  

You've recently been crunching the numbers, making offers, adding up closing costs, shopping for mortgages, and trying to get the best deals.  Don't stop now.  Don't let your real estate agent, a minimally qualified inspector, or anyone else talk you into skimping here.  NACHI certified inspectors perform the best inspections by far. 

NACHI certified inspectors earn their fees many times over.  They do more, they deserve more, and yes they generally charge a little more.  Do yourself a favor...and pay a little more for the quality inspection you deserve.

 

Home | Insurance Inspection | Who Needs It? | New Construction Svc. | Your Inspector | Price Quote | Inspection Tips | About NACHI

Honest, reliable same-day service!

(352) 465-2399 (Dunnellen, FL)

      

Ron Letchworth is a Member in Good Standing of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors

Website design and maintenance by Virtual Tours of Virginia, www.VirtualToursofVirginia.com