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Why Home Inspections on Flip Homes Are So Important

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A new build has to go through many inspections before the home is deemed livable. The same goes for a flip home (a house that has been completely remodeled and put up for sale). So why get a home inspection if everything is new anyways?

The hidden price of a flip is becoming more common

According to KomoNews.com, local real estate experts are finding homeowners are having to invest tens of thousands of dollars after purchasing a flip. While many flips are well done, many others cover up, ignore, or overlook defects. A good home inspector should be able to identify any issues or concerns, including covered up defects.

Even if you have to move fast, don’t skip the necessary steps

Buying a home in a seller’s market sometimes requires you to move quickly. When you might be competing with others for the same home, you might also be taking a gamble on the remodel work. This is why it is so important not to skip the important steps. Do a thorough walk-through of the home, get an inspection done before closing the deal, and utilize guidance from your real estate agent.

Home inspectors are working for the buyers

We want to educate home buyers about their home. We understand that sometimes the information might, or could, “kill” a deal. But would you rather buy a home and later find out you have to spend thousands of dollars on pre-existing damage? Of course not! So just remember, the home inspector has your best interest in mind.

If you need a home inspection in Tampa Bay, call the only property inspector with a five star rating on Google! We will work with you, and your real estate inspector, and the seller.

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What Is Your Home Inspection Worth?

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Despite the convincing argument of not skipping your home inspection, what is your home inspection report actually worth? We dive into the value of a home inspection and identify the difference between a good report and a soft report.

The difference between $100 and $100 value

I recently purchased a few different dollar bills. Once of which is a $100 bill. However, this bill is valued 4x face value because it has a reverse water mark. It may seem like a simple, almost unnoticeable difference. But that difference changes the value of the bill. In fact, if I hadn’t told you there was a difference you may never have noticed!

A good report vs. a soft report

A good home inspection report vs. a soft home inspection report may be hard to spot if you don’t know what to look for. A soft home inspection report can have 20 pictures on it and only 5 comments. It’s like a fake $100 bill. It looks full, but in reality, it’s pretty empty.

A good home inspection report is like the $100 bill with the reverse watermark. It may look only like a $100 bill, but it’s worth far more. Your inspection report should educate you about your home. A home inspection is to find any issues or concerns with your home, but it’s also more than that. Do you want to know the life left in your roof so you can be prepared to replace it when the time comes? Do you want to know the condition or your A/C or plumbing? These are all things you’ll learn about during your home inspection.

 

The value of your home inspection report is far more than its face-value. What is your home inspector providing you? What is your home inspection report providing for you. At Divinity Inspection Service, we make sure all of our reports are thorough, detailed, and answers all of your questions. Give us a call to schedule your home inspection now.

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Tampa Hurricane Prep: We Did Good

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Some might say we got lucky, some say it doesn’t make sense. According to one meteorologist, it was the and of God why Tampa got off so easy. We were expecting a direct hit from an intense hurricane and yet, what we experienced was mild. To say the least. We did good Tampa. And just in case, here’s what you need to know for the next hurricane prep.

The earlier you prep, the better

We ran out of a lot of things. We ran out of sand for the sandbags, gas for the cars, water in the stores, and plywood for boarding up our home. The people who decided to go ahead and get what they needed early are the ones who suffered the least. Lesson learned, the sooner you get what you need, the better.

Prepping for no power or water is difficult

I can honestly say the most difficult effect of the storm was losing power and water. Some were without power and water for almost a week. Others didn’t even lose power or water. Now that you’ve had the experience you can prepare even better. For those that didn’t, here’s what you need to know: everything takes longer to do and it will get hot pretty fast. I suspect more people will be investing in generators.

Hold on to your plywood

While we’ve dodged a bullet, hurricane season isn’t over quite yet. We’ve still endured the effects of flooding in various areas around Tampa Bay and we have seen what others have endured as a result of the hurricane. Before you quickly rid your home of your hurricane supplies, wait for the end of the season. You can also hold on to your supplies for a rainy day.

Divinity Inspection Services will inspect your home rain or shine. While we don’t recommend scheduling a home inspection during a hurricane, sometimes learning about a home best is during a storm. Schedule your home inspection online or give us a call to answer any of your questions!

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How To Help Prevent Street Flooding

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If you have noticed your street or driveway is prone to flooding, then you could be contributing to the problem. Here are a few tips to help prevent street flooding that you can implement during this rainy season.

1. Start with your storm drains

Keep your storm drains clean and free of debris. If you noticed a clogged grate on your street, do everyone a favor and rake it up. Clogged grates are the main reason for street flooding.

2. You are responsible for your culverts

Culverts are pipes that carry storm water under a roadway. These culverts can get clogged and create street flooding. Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of these private drainage systems so keep your eye on yours.

3. Test your sump pump

The last thing you want to deal with is a sump pump over flow! Test your sump pump and make sure it is ready if a storm hits.

4. Have emergency service numbers on hand for an emergency

We hope this is never the case, but if it is, you will want to be prepared. If you know a big storm is headed your way then take an extra step and have emergency service numbers on hand should you need them.

5. Prepare your home when your gone on vacation

This is one of the most commonly forgotten tasks. During summer many families go on vacation and they don’t consider what would happen if a big storm were to hit their home while they were gone. Is your home prepared to defend itself without you? Make sure it is before you leave.

Keep your family safe and contribute to neighborhood safety by using these tips to prevent street flooding. And contact Divinity Inspection Services for any home inspection needs.

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The Most Common Home Inspection Issues in Tampa

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All around the United States each state faces their own common issues. Depending on the region’s weather, some homes go through much more hardship than others. I think it’s safe to say Florida has its own unique set circumstances when it comes to weather. Most days it is hot. Every once in a while we have random cold days, and if we’re lucky enough they string together to make a “cold front”. What we don’t have to do is to face the challenges that come with freezing or below freezing temperatures, snow, or tornadoes. Tornadoes in Tampa are rare. What we do have to be concerned with is hurricane season, flooding and a whole lot of humidity! As a result, there is a pattern of common home inspection issues you can prepare for or prepare to address. Check out some of the most common home inspection issues in Tampa below.

Sinkholes are all over

Florida has more sinkholes that any other state in the entire U.S.A. Let that ‘sink in’ for a second. As a result, the government in Florida has taken precautions, as well as created specific programs, to address sinkholes. There’s no need to fret over the possibility of sinkholes because they really aren’t as common as you might think. However, be prepared that when you are looking at a home for sale there is always a possibility that a sinkhole is under the foundation. If a sinkhole does exist that does not mean the property is dangerous. Especially if the sinkhole issue has already been addressed.

Roof Issues

Heat, humidity, low hanging trees and insufficient maintenance are all causes of roof damage. And in Tampa we have all three pretty much all the time. Many homeowners do not maintain their landscaping over their roofs. This would include cutting down any branches that might be hanging over the roof on laying on the roof. The intense heat and mix with humidity causes roof damage at an accelerated rate. This can be a very big expense and one you would definitely want to know about before purchasing the home.

Flooding and Flawed Drainage

Tampa was built on swamp land – which means a lot of water everywhere. Flooding is a very common occurrence in Tampa and flawed drainage is an issue we come across often. If you are considering purchasing a home and you have the opportunity to drive through the neighborhood during heavy rain, we highly suggest it. During the heavy rain you will be able to see if there are any flooding issues within the neighborhood. Also drive past the home you want to purchase and take a look to see if you can spot any flooding in the yard, driveway, or street.

Not every issue uncovered during an inspection is that serious, and blowing a minor problem out of proportion could create bad vibes and spell “no sale. If you’re the seller, how much is the problem going to cost you to fix, or how much will you have to concede to the buyer to make the repairs? If you’re the buyer, what should you ask from the seller, or should you just walk away from this house no matter how much you love it? Your home inspector and your real estate agent can help guide you to make these decisions. Give us a call today to schedule your home inspection now!