Baltimore Home Inspections

There are two (2) DEADLY MISTAKES every home buyer should avoid

1.) Not getting a Home Inspection:

Buying a home is a complex and stressful task. Buying your dream house is usually the largest single investment you will make in your lifetime. Many mistakes in the buying process of you new home can be avoided. You can pay too much, or you can also buy a money pit ( a building that is loaded with many hidden defects), just to name a couple. Not getting a home inspection opens you up to the possibility of having to spend thousands of dollars in repairs after the purchase for undisclosed defects that the house might have.

2.) Getting a Cheap Home Inspection:

The purchase of your new home it is usually the biggest expenditure you will ever make. The pricing for a home inspection is all over the board. After making a few calls to hire a home inspector you can become very confused as to the wide gap in pricing. A CHEAP PRICE for an inspection usually means you will usually get a little less of an inspection than an inspection that might cost a little more. Usually as a rule of thumb when I look at the price of a service, I usually don’t go with the cheapest price and I don’t usually go with the most expensive price either. The old saying, “You get What You Pay For” is usually true.

Legally, you do not have to use the home inspector your Realtor suggests. When shopping for a home inspector, you need to do your homework first before you sign a contract for the inspection. Ask questions. Listen to what they have to say. A good inspector will not only answer your questions, but will probably answer questions you haven’t even thought of yet. I find it is always best to first listen to what they say, then ask my questions. There are many good and not so good inspection companies around. Some offer only the minimum, while others are more detailed in the inspection. A couple of good questions to ask are: What does the inspection include, what other services do they offer, are they certified and/or trained in the services they offer, can they provide you with a copy of their certification or training, are they licensed and insured, and can they provide a copy of proof. The following are some of the most common home inspection myths and truths:

Myth: All qualified home inspectors are alike.
Truth: Just because someone claims to be an inspector -- even a certified one -- doesn't mean he or she is qualified. Not all states require home inspectors to be licensed. Before choosing an inspector, examine the person's credentials and be sure you trust not just the certification but the certifying body. You can check if someone is a member of the National Society of Home Inspectors or the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors. Always check to see if they carry the necessary insurance and check with the local Board of Realtors.

Myth: The inspection report functions as a list of repairs the seller must complete.
Truth: The seller can choose to use the inspection as a repair list or as a negotiation tool to move the deal forward.

Myth: The home inspection will go fine without your presence.
Truth: You don't need to be there, but it's a good idea and a great way to learn how to operate systems in the home and understand its condition. It also lets you ask the inspector and seller questions.

Myth: You don't have to bother getting a home inspected if it's being sold "as is."
Truth: A home sold "as is" should certainly be inspected, so as the buyer you know exactly what "as is" means. These homes aren't being sold free of defects, only with defects left unrepaired. Many states require the seller to disclose known defects or other conditions that could affect the value of the home, but impose no further obligation.

Myth: A termite inspection is enough.
Truth: A home inspection covers more than looking for termites. Home inspectors look at the home's entire structure and all major systems, such as plumbing, electricity and any internal climate control systems such as heating and central air. If a home inspector does find potential termite problems, or other issues that are dealt with by specialists -- such as chimney or structural problems -- he or she will recommend Having a qualified professional inspect the item of concern.

Myth: You don't need to have an inspection for a newly built home.
Truth: This could be one of the costliest myths of all. A recent Consumer Reports investigation found 15 percent of new homes sold had serious defects. In another study, 41 percent of the homes examined, constructed by various builders, revealed problems such as mold and moisture. And 34 percent had frame and structural problems.

Appliance Life Expectancy

When you purchase a home with appliances already installed, you have to wonder how long they will last before needing to be replaced. Listed below is the average life expectancy for common household appliances. This information is only an estimate and derived from manufactures and consumer resources.

Major Appliances:

Cook Top______________________11-13 years
Dishwasher_____________________10 years
Dryers (clothes)__________________13 years
Electric Stoves___________________17 years
Electric Water Heater______________13-14 years
Gas Stoves______________________19 years
Gas Water Heaters________________11-13 years
Refrigerators (single door)___________19 years
Refrigerators (side by side)___________14 years
Washing Machines (front load)________11 years
Washing Machines (top load)_________14 years

Mechanical Systems:

Air Condition Compressor___________15-20 years
Baseboard (electric heaters)__________20 years
Forced air furnace (heat pump)________5 years
Plumbing (waste piping)_____________75 years
Water Pump_____________________7-10 years
Water Softener___________________20 years

This information brought to you as a courtesy from: