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What happens if your Home Inspector misses something?

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Finally you are in the last stage of purchasing your home and you are jumping through the last hoop: a home inspection. Many home-buyers find the home inspection process very stressful. The idea of finding something wrong with your new home that could potentially hinder the buying process is not fun. Even worse, what happens if your home inspector misses something?

Start with the right home inspector

Getting through the process calmly has a lot to do with trusting your home inspector. Remember he’s on your side! Not only is Divinity home inspectors going to find and explain any issues in detail, we’re going to do everything we can to offer you advice or guidance in how to fix your home issues. Either way, make sure you choose a home inspector that has a lot of good recommendations and a good reputation.

Attend your home inspection

Attending your home inspection is really important. Not only might it calm your nerves, but attending will also allow your inspector to point out anything they come across that is concerning. If you notice an inspector hesitate at the idea of your presence during the inspection, that is a big red flag! Any inspector should be very comfortable with the home buyer or home owner present during their inspection. Remember, it’s your job to make the most our of your home inspection.

What if your home inspector misses something?

Most home inspectors are not going to miss any major issues with your home, however it could happen. Sellers are required to disclose any major issues with the home before they sell it. If they don’t, proving they did would be more costly than it’s worth. You can bring the issue up to the home inspector. As long as you used one with decent liability insurance that covers more than just the cost of the inspection, odds are decent you’ll be compensated for any damages. Again, you’ll have to prove it. For example, if the inspector said the roof was in good condition, but there was a leak months later during a big storm, you would have to prove that nothing happened in the intervening time that damaged the roof.

Divinity Inspection service not only are fully licensed, but our inspectors are trained not to miss anything. We encourage you to attend your home inspection and we take the time to walk you through everything we do. You can schedule your inspection right here on our site!

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The Face Value of a Home Inspection

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What is the face value of a home inspection? Instinctively you might say the answer depends on who you ask. What you may not realize is the real face value of a home inspection depends on your home and you! Not only that, but your home inspector plays a huge role in the value of your home inspection.

What if I asked you how much your car was worth, retail? Now if I asked you how much you would sell it for, that answer will probably be different. What you are willing to sell for vs. what you know your car is worth are two different numbers. This is the case for most things in life, and a home inspection is no exception. So, what is the real face value of a home inspection?

For any home buyer, the purchase of the home is highly dependent on the home inspection report. A good home inspection can save you from having to replace the roof, replace the water heater or another appliance. It can also help you avoid purchasing a home with potentially disastrous issues, like replacing all of the electrical or plumbing. We are talking tens of thousands of dollars in repairs! You may pay $500 (or less, or more depending on the size of the home) and it could save you thousands and thousands of dollars. Now that is a return on your investment.

Home buyers want the home inspection to report no major issues. Because the goal is to make sure no major issues exist in the home, this somehow has become a reason to expect home inspections to cost less. You get what you pay for and that goes for your inspection. Why would you pay less for a home inspection when the risk is so big? So we come back around to the important question – what is the face value of a home inspection? Now that you have all of this information you may find that your answer has changed.

Insurance Information

Home Inspection Deal Breakers

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So many times we run into new home-buyers terrified of getting a home inspection. They are so worried that we are going to ruin their deal and dismantle their dreams of living in a home they’ve fallen in love with. We are not the deal breakers. Well that is certainly not our goal! In fact, the majority of home inspections will uncover minor issues with a home that we will use to educate the new owners. Very rarely does a home inspection actually lead to the disruption of a home purchase. In this article we have listed 5 issues that, if found, could be a deal-breaker!

Foundation Issues

The foundation is the stronghold. Like most things in life, if the foundation is not strong then eventually what is above it will topple. If we find any major foundation issues with the home, which would be a huge undertaking to repair, it will likely be a deal-breaker.

Electrical Wiring

To be more specific, aluminum wiring! This was popular during the Vietnam War era but is not very common today. Aluminum wiring can be completely replaced with the correct wiring and would bring the home up to code. However, completely re-wiring a home is not an easy repair and would require you to have the extra funds necessary.

The Roof

We talked about the roof in our last blog. The roof is a big deal, and like any major issue, takes extensive funds to repair. In our inspections we will always inspect the roof and give you a practical estimate of the life left in your roof before you would need to replace it. Sometimes you can see the damage from the ground but most times the damage is lurking high above.

Flood Zones

Flood zones have become increasingly important, and around Florida, we’ve got lots of them! You don’t have to be buying a home near a beach or lake to be within a flood zone. Not only does flooding cause issues around your home but sometimes it can cause issues inside your home as well. You also have to consider the increased difficulty in selling your home in the future if it is within a flood zone.

Infestations and Mold

These are the issues that are lurking in the shadows. Behind the walls, in the attic, or under the home – infestations can be a huge issue. Depending on the type of infestation and where it is located, the fix would be minor or major. Chemical infestations, such as mold, can cost thousand of dollars to exterminate and can cause major health issues if not taken care of immediately.

You can see that these issues are not always easy to spot, but if they are there, we will spot them. Even as we list these “deal-breakers”, the truth is no one can dissolve a home purchase except for you. Even a major issue can be fixed if you have the money to fix it. When you use Divinity Inspection Services you have nothing to fear. Remember, you can also use the problems you find to help you with the negotiation!

Sources:
https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/home-inspection-deal-breakers/?is_wp_site=1
https://www.learnvest.com/2014/06/buying-home-problems/3/

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Why is Inspecting your roof important?

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You think you already know the answer. You think you know why inspecting your roof is important and you think I am only referring to roof inspections before you buy a home. Well slow down, because this article might surprise you. Of course the obvious answer to this question is that you need to know what kind of condition a home’s roof is in before you purchase the home. Replacing a roof is a substantial expense. Most people want a heads up if that kind of expense is in their near future. In our home inspections we inspect the roof for that reason, but that’s not what this article is about. We want to revise the importance of why you should be inspecting your roof annually. Roof inspections aren’t just for when you want to buy or sell a home. Roof inspections should be part of your annual checklist, and here’s why:

The Humidity

The humidity, especially the high levels in Florida, can promote algae, leaks, mold and more. In some cases algae or moss can get under the shingles and lift them up! Creating quite a bit of damage that you never knew was happening. Algae also eats away at the natural limestone in shingles, decreasing their weatherproofing properties.

Severe Weather

As we are in the middle of hurricane season, this is especially important. A severe thunderstorm, tropical storm, or hurricane can significantly damage a roof. High winds can lift up shingles or even blow them off. Even stronger winds can break the sealant bonds. Gutter and downspout runoff from severe storms can cause erosion of the mineral granules, leaks, algae, mold, and side walls may be damaged.

Small Problems Equal Bigger Problems

The issues we’ve listed may seem small but the truth is these small issues will lead to much bigger issues if they aren’t addressed. Loose shingles can lead to roof leaks, which lead to mold and damage inside your home, which can lead to much bigger expenses. Catching and treating the problem the sooner the better, and will decrease your chances of having much bigger issues.

At Divinity Home Inspection, we don’t have to inspect your whole house. We offer roof inspections, pool inspections, and other a la’ carte services to fit your needs. See our prices on our site or call us to set up an appointment.

Sources:
https://www.veteransunited.com/futurehomeowners/why-roof-inspections-are-so-important/
https://danvers.wickedlocal.com/news/20160915/at-home-with-stephanie-importance-of-roof-inspections

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How to get your home hurricane ready

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Believe it or not, hurricane season is here. And Cedar Key’s unfortunate run-in with hurricane Colin should be a lesson for us. Now is the time for you to get your house hurricane ready! Instead of waiting for another short notice warning (or even a hesitant warning), make the decision to get your home hurricane ready now, before a hurricane becomes an issue. Although not too many hurricanes have actually landed on Florida’s coast, it can happen at anytime. Below are some key actions you can take right now to prepare for any weather this hurricane season might bring.

Make a List

That daunting list of all the things you own in your home. Nothing about this task sounds fun, unless you love making long lists of many things. Unfortunately, if something does happen to your home and you need to make an insurance claim you will need this list. Having a list of all of your belongings, both inside and outside your home, can save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.

Talk to your Insurance Provider

Believe it or not, you can actually jeopardize your insurance claim if you don’t properly prepare for a hurricane. The best action you can take is to call your insurance provider and find out from them what they require from you to properly prepare your house for a hurricane. As long as you follow their guidelines, you should have no issues making a claim should you need to.

Check the hurricane shutters

If you live in Florida then chances are high your house has hurricane shutters. You will need to check that your hurricane shutters are in proper working order. If you do not have hurricane shutters you may want to consider installing them.

If you want a professional to inspect your home and suggest how to prepare your house better for a hurricane, then you can hire Divinity Inspection Services to do that! Many people believe home inspections are only for buying and selling a house, but home inspections can offer great value to any home-owner! Feel free to contact us anytime to schedule your home inspection.