Best time for a home inspection

March 26, 2011 by  
Filed under Shocking Inspection Discoveries

Best time for a home inspectionHome Inspection

When you think of home inspection, you mainly think of them as something every buyer has done prior to purchasing a home.  They have a home inspection because they do not want to be stuck with a house that looks good on the outside but is falling apart on the inside.  They really want to be sure of making a good deal and not buying a “money pit”.  While this is very true, a home inspection is not just limited to the buyer.  The smart seller will also wish to have a home inspection done.

The best time for a seller to have a home inspection done

on their house is before they list it on the market.  The process for the seller to obtain a home inspection is identical to that process of the buyer having a home inspection.  They first need to find a reputable home inspector to perform the home inspection.  Be sure to hire a local home inspector as you will want one that is a trained professional and is familiar with the ins and outs of the building codes and guidelines that are unique to your area.

During the home inspection, the home inspector will thoroughly evaluate your home. They look at your house, from top to bottom and everything in between.   This is a visual home inspection and does not involve tearing down walls or taking things apart.  Home inspectors have been trained to look for signs that lead them to any problems that might exist.  It is suggested that you be present during the actual home inspection.  This way, you can get a first hand look at the real condition of your home from the home inspector.  You also have the chance to ask any questions you may have so that you have a complete understanding of the current situation.  After each home inspection, a written report is provided that will give you a detailed summary of the findings of the home inspection.  Be sure to go over this report with the home inspector.

By having your home inspection done before you list your property, you have the advantage of finding out about any problems that may exist in advance.  You are given the luxury of getting the needed repairs done according to your time line.  There is nothing worse than thinking you have a “done deal” and then when you get the results of the buyers home inspection, you find yourself faced with having costly repairs that need to be done and a short amount of time to get them done before closing.

Pre-listing home inspections help you to prepare your home to put up for sale.  They also take away the fear and apprehension that occurs when the buyer has their own home inspection done as you will not get any surprises because you are already aware of the real condition of your home.  So, be kind to yourself and take some of the stress out of selling your home and have a home inspection done before you try to sell it.

Best time for a home inspection is before you list your home


Sacramento Inspection LLC
5714 Folsom Blvd Suite 106 SacramentoCA95819 USA 
 • 877-424-8289

Are home inspections different for the seller?

March 26, 2011 by  
Filed under Shocking Inspection Discoveries

Are home inspections different for the seller?Home Inspections

Home Inspections

If you are looking to buy or sell a home, one vitally important thing that you need to have done is a home inspection. Most often, when you think of home inspections, you think they are something that a buyer does before making that big purchase. Home inspections are done so that the individual is aware of the current condition of the property. In most cases, it can either make or break the deal. A buyer has one done so that they can be assured that they are making a sound financial decision. Nothing is worse than spending a lot of money on a home only to have it turn into a money pit due to hidden, unseen problems.

A seller finds it is in their best interest to have a Sacramento home inspection done prior to putting their home on the market. This way, they are alerted to the problems that exist and have an opportunity to make all necessary repairs before the buyer has their inspection done. By doing this, the actual purchase process is not held up by re-negotiations and by the problem of getting the repairs done before closing.

Since it is important for both parties to get their home inspections done, it makes you wonder what the difference between a buyer home inspection and a seller home inspection is. Well, that answer is nothing. Whether you are a buyer or a seller, you receive the same home inspections. Both home inspections cover the same areas of concern such as the roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, crawlspaces, attics, doors and windows and are handled in the same manner. They both offer a written report that details all their findings, both good and bad. Actually, the inspector really doesn’t need to know if the home inspection is for the seller or the buyer.

As a seller, the home inspection is a way to avoid having to make hasty decisions right before the sale is completed. It allows you the chance to determine how you want to handle the problems-either making the repairs or disclosing them and then pricing the home accordingly. By using the buyer’s home inspections only, you find out about the repairs too late in the process. In most cases, your only options would be to get them fixed as they were not disclosed in the contract or not do them and take a big price cut to account for the cost of the repair. Either way, it is not a pleasant or appealing situation in which to find yourself.

So, before placing your home on the real estate market, take the time to get your pre-listing home inspections done. This way, as a seller, you are informed of the actual condition of your property and have the chance make the needed corrections before the buyer has their inspection done and it also eliminates the possibility of surprise problems. This has the potential to save you a substantial amount of money in repair costs and also allows you to price your home correctly.

Get your Sacramento Home Inspections by calling 877-424-8289


Real Estate Inspection Sacramento

March 12, 2010 by  
Filed under Shocking Inspection Discoveries

Real Estate Inspection Sacramento

Real Estate Inspection Sacramento

Do you know how safe the home that you are about to buy is?  If you have not asked yourself this, you should.  Especially if you’re a parent because you want to know how safe the Sacramento house is before you move your family in.

Some people buy Real Estate in Sacramento and say that they will do the entire remodel themselves.  The problem with that is they might not know what dangers are actually hiding in the Sacramento home itself.  The husband and wife may have good intentions about fixing the house up and that’s all well and good.

Real Estate Inspection Sacramento

But when you buy Sacramento real estate you may not know what to look for as far as safety or hazards that may be lingering in the home and may be a hazard to your family.

The last thing you want to worry about when raising children in a home is to wonder if there are any hidden dangers that could show up after you move into it.

The husband may be a very good repair man or even a decent carpenter and he can do a lot of the fix up stuff himself.  But did your husband crawl around the crawlspaces or go up into the attic and see if there are any hidden dangers like black mold, loose wiring or improperly vented ducts?

Most of the time people that are looking for real estate in Sacramento do not get in to looking at the home completely. They usually walk around the home and check out the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms and even check the neighborhood out to see what kind of schools there are for their kids.

But there are not too many people that will crawl around the crawlspaces and attics to see if there are any problems.

A certified real estate home inspector will. Their job is to check out the Sacramento home completely. They will check out the foundation, the electrical system, the plumbing system, check out crawlspaces, attics, roofs and anything else that has to do with the safety of the home.

The real estate inspectors in Sacramento are not there to kill the deal. The real estate inspector is there to protect you, the buyer, and your family.

Do not buy Sacramento real estate without getting the home inspected first because when you do that you’re setting yourself up for a major let down later.

If you move into your Sacramento home without having the home inspected it could cost you thousands of dollars later to have whatever you missed repaired after you move in.

Your home is a huge investment.  Don’t you think your family deserves the same? Get your real estate inspected before you buy. Your family should always come first.

Your real estate inspection Sacramento will give you a complete report with pictures of the home that you’re buying.  He will also explain to you anything you would like to know about the home or the report.

You should accompany the real estate inspector as he inspects the home. He will be glad to explain to you any questions that you may have about the Sacramento home.  This is a very good time to ask him things like where are the main control panels and where is the main water supply valve.

Believe it or not a real estate inspector is on your side. He wants the best for you and he wants to look out for you and your family.

I hope this article has helped you to understand why getting your real estate inspection Sacramento so important.


Keep Your Cool

March 12, 2010 by  
Filed under Shocking Inspection Discoveries

Maintaining Your Sacramento Air Conditioning System

Sacramento AC Maintenance

Sacramento Air Conditioning Maintenance

Air conditioners have become a mainstay of modern life to help us stay cool in hot and humid climates.  Newer Sacramento homes are usually outfitted with central air conditioning systems, while some homeowners in older Sacramento area houses opt for less expensive window units.  Any cooling system is an investment with both the initial cost and its significant contribution to the monthly utility bills.  It is critical that the system work well so that you reap the benefit of a comfortable environment.  Monitoring its use and maintaining it regularly will help you reduce your costs.  Keeping both central and window units running effectively and efficiently will not only ensure that your family stays cool throughout the summer, but also that your costs stay in line.

Air conditioners are expensive appliances, and periodic servicing by a Sacramento professional is required.  Central air conditioners should be inspected and adjusted annually before the warm season begins and you start running it.  However, you can do your part to avert expensive repairs with some simple maintenance.  Over time regular wear will affect the system – debris can become caught in the exterior condensing unit and dust can clog or cover the filters.  Keeping your air conditioning unit clean will go a long way to guarantee that it is operating at peak efficiency.

Prepare by gathering the required information and tools.  Review the owner’s manual for your specific unit and carefully follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance and for appropriate products to use for cleaning.  Most tasks can be completed with regular household products such as a screwdriver, dust brush, vacuum, garden hose, liquid soap, and bleach.

Before you begin any maintenance turn off all power to the unit.  If you are working on a window unit, remove it from the opening and place it on a firm surface such as wood or concrete.  Routine cleaning will involve many components including the condenser, condenser coils, drain pan, filter, and air ducts.  You should install a new filter and freshen the fan motor oil as necessary.  Inspect all mechanisms including the thermostat, fuses, and breakers to check that all connections are in place. Allow a window unit to dry completely before reinstalling it.  After finishing a thorough cleaning routine you should notice a difference in output.  Monitor the thermostat so that you know how well the unit is working.

Even the most avid do-it-yourself Sacramento homeowner will need to bring in an expert for certain tasks.  Hire a Sacramento professional to replace the refrigerant and prevent harmful gases from leaking into the atmosphere during the process.  Most repairs will also require a Sacramento HVAC professional.

As the weather turns cooler and you are ready to stop using the system for another year, repeat the cleaning process.


More Fire Dangers Discovered!

November 15, 2008 by  
Filed under Shocking Inspection Discoveries

Unprofessional Electrical Modifications

Unprofessional Electrical Modifications

Unprofessional added wiring is considered a fire safety issue and should be reviewed by a qualified contractor. In most cases the current homeowner is unaware that this condition even exists. You see, this home was inspected less than two years ago by a certified Sacramento home inspector. The problem was that the certified Sacramento home inspector was a cheap home inspector and had not performed a full attic inspection. Clients occasionally call our office and ask why our fees are higher than other home inspectors in the Sacramento area. We let them know that a cheap home inspector can cost them several thousand dollars in repairs for missed deficiencies and quite possibly not catch a major fire safety hazard for your family. We feel that our fees are more realistic for the time and expertise that is required to perform a good, thorough inspection.

If you want “Peace Of Mind” for your next Sacramento area home purchase, plus lots of extra value, then give American Pride Home Inspection Service a call today at 1-877-424-8289 to schedule your Sacramento inspection.


Fire Hazards- Read Now!

November 15, 2008 by  
Filed under Shocking Inspection Discoveries

exposed junction box increases fire hazard

Leaving the junction boxes open greatly increases the risk of you having a house fire. This is one of the reasons it’s essential you have an inspection conducted before purchasing the house.


Unprofessional Repairs Can Cost

November 15, 2008 by  
Filed under Shocking Inspection Discoveries

Unprofessional repairs may lead to further damages. In this photograph, the floor is now sinking due to the fact that the beams are not being properly supported!