10 Secrets of the Home Inspection Secrets of... · 10 Secrets of Home Inspections Every Home Buyer Should Know Gordon G Fox Fox Inspection Group Providing Peace of Mind, One Home

www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713www.FoxInspectionGroup.com 713--723723--33303330

10 Secrets of 10 Secrets of

Home Inspections Every Home Home Inspections Every Home

Buyer Should KnowBuyer Should Know

Gordon G FoxGordon G Fox

Fox Inspection GroupFox Inspection GroupProviding Peace of Mind, Providing Peace of Mind,

One Home At A Time, One Home At A Time,

Since 1989!Since 1989!TMTM


Houses are like SpousesHouses are like SpousesSecret # 1Secret # 1

�� There is a common misconception among those searching for the peThere is a common misconception among those searching for the perfect rfect home or the perfect spouse that a perfect house and/or spouse achome or the perfect spouse that a perfect house and/or spouse actually tually existsexists……………….Nothing could be further from the truth..Nothing could be further from the truth.

�� While there are no perfect houses / spouses to While there are no perfect houses / spouses to choose from, the fact remains that the choose from, the fact remains that the consequences of a poor choice is consequences of a poor choice is painpain……………….suffering.suffering………………and economic loss.and economic loss.

�� So choose wiselySo choose wisely…………………………....

�� Focus on the negative and you will only see the problemsFocus on the negative and you will only see the problems

�� Focus on the positive and life is goodFocus on the positive and life is good


Focus your attention on big ticket itemsFocus your attention on big ticket itemsSecret # 2Secret # 2

�� RoofRoof

�� HVACHVAC

�� FoundationFoundation

�� AppliancesAppliances

�� ElectricalElectrical

�� PlumbingPlumbing


Most issues found are typical for Most issues found are typical for

the neighborhood the neighborhood Secret # 3Secret # 3

focus on the focus on the AtypicalAtypical issuesissues�� RoofRoof

�� HVACHVAC

�� FoundationFoundation

�� AppliancesAppliances

�� ElectricalElectrical

�� PlumbingPlumbing

For instance, if all the homes in the area were built in the 1960s, expect there to be

some foundation settlement. The foundation will have moved. It is normal for there to be a few cracks. The rough driveway or lifting

sidewalk are not important issues.


RoofRoofSecret # 4Secret # 4

�� Roof over wood Roof over wood

shinglesshingles

�� Older than 15 yearsOlder than 15 years

�� Typical LifespanTypical Lifespan

Most Insurance Most Insurance

Companies do not Companies do not

allowallow

Red flag for insurance Red flag for insurance

companycompany

1515--18 Years in SE Texas 18 Years in SE Texas

sunsun

Every buyer wants a NEW roof, but not every home Needs a new rooEvery buyer wants a NEW roof, but not every home Needs a new roof!f!


HVAC HVAC Secret # 5Secret # 5

�� Average serviceable Average serviceable

life life (think in terms of a car)(think in terms of a car)

�� Older than 10 yearsOlder than 10 years

�� Get a warrantyGet a warranty

1212--15 years15 years

Be prepared for a Be prepared for a

financial hitfinancial hit

Prepare to hagglePrepare to haggle

Every buyer wants a NEW A/C, but not every home NEEDS a newEvery buyer wants a NEW A/C, but not every home NEEDS a new A/CA/C


FoundationFoundationSecret # 6Secret # 6

�� 2 types of 2 types of

foundationsfoundations in greater in greater

Houston areaHouston area

�� Expansive clay soilsExpansive clay soils

Those that have Those that have

moved and those moved and those

that will movethat will move

�� House sits on House sits on

ground, ground ground, ground

moves, house moves, house

movesmoves


AppliancesAppliancesSecret # 7Secret # 7

�� Typical serviceable Typical serviceable

life of kitchen life of kitchen

appliancesappliances

1010--15 years15 years

Or until spouse wants to Or until spouse wants to remodelremodel

Every buyer wants NEW appliances, Every buyer wants NEW appliances,

but not every home NEEDS new appliancesbut not every home NEEDS new appliances


ElectricalElectricalSecret # 8Secret # 8

�� Deficient if not to Deficient if not to

current / today's current / today's

electrical codeelectrical code

�� If something doesnIf something doesn’’t t

work, fix itwork, fix it

�� If it ainIf it ain’’t broket broke…………

�� AFCIAFCI

�� GFCIGFCI

�� GroundingGrounding

If you want a NEW

If you want a NEW electrical system

electrical system buy a NEW house

buy a NEW house


PlumbingPlumbingSecret # 9Secret # 9

�� Be Concerned with Be Concerned with

big ticket items big ticket items

onlyonly

�� Shower pan $1Shower pan $1--3,0003,000

�� Active water leaksActive water leaks

�� 4040--50 year old cast 50 year old cast

iron drain linesiron drain lines

�� Water heater 8Water heater 8--12 12

years years $400$400--$1,200$1,200

�� Cast iron drain lineCast iron drain line

ExpensiveExpensive


TREC Form OPTREC Form OP--IISecret # 10 and the Secret # 10 and the Biggest SecretBiggest Secret

�� No inspection report issue must be repairedNo inspection report issue must be repaired

�� The only The only mandatorymandatory repairs are what the repairs are what the

mortgage lender, appraisal, or insurance mortgage lender, appraisal, or insurance

companycompany requires.requires.

�� The rest is negotiated between the parties The rest is negotiated between the parties

((buyer and sellerbuyer and seller). Consult with your Real Estate ). Consult with your Real Estate

Professional.Professional.


TREC Form OPTREC Form OP--II

�� Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) has Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) has adopted Standards of Practice adopted Standards of Practice requiring requiring licensed inspectors to report these licensed inspectors to report these conditions as conditions as ““DeficientDeficient”” when performing an when performing an inspectioninspection

�� Neither the Standards of Practice nor the Neither the Standards of Practice nor the TREC contract forms requires a seller to TREC contract forms requires a seller to remedy conditions revealed by an remedy conditions revealed by an inspection.inspection.

The decision to correct a hazard or any deficiency The decision to correct a hazard or any deficiency identified in an inspection report is left to the identified in an inspection report is left to the

parties to the contractparties to the contract


STANDARD HOME INSPECTION


STRUCTURAL

� Inspector tries to physically get on the roof

� Checks the entire roofing system

� Checks all penetrations through the roof

� Crawls through the attic checking for evidence of water penetration and for proper framing (if there is a crawl space)

� Load bearing walls, inside & outside, down to and including the foundation system


Probable water penetration


Roof shingles not properly installed


Major crack in foundation


STRUCTRUAL / RECAP

� TOP TO BOTTOM

� ROOF DOWN TO FOUNDATION


MECHANICAL

� Check all built in appliances

� Dishwasher, disposal, oven, range top, kitchen vent, garage door operators, ceiling fans, etc.

� Central heating and cooling



ELECTRICAL

� Starting from where power connects to house

� Breaker panel, where the breakers are

� To all accessible outlets, switches

� All accessible wiring


Old Knob & Tube wiring should be replaced


PLUMBING

� Check for proper operation of all the sinks, faucets, commodes, bath tubs, shower, water heaters, etc.



ADDITIONAL INSPECTIONS

� Hydrostatic test of Cast iron drain lines below house (performed by a Plumber)

� Termites

� Stucco

� Chinese Drywall “2006”

� Pool (performed by Pool Specialist)

� Infrared / Thermal Imaging

� Environmental (performed by Specialist)� Mold, Lead, Asbestos, Radon


QUESTIONS?

Call 713-723-3330

Or email us at [email protected]

Additional information available on our websitewww.FoxInspectionGroup.com

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10 Secrets of the Home Inspection Secrets of... · 10 Secrets of Home Inspections Every Home Buyer Should Know Gordon G Fox Fox Inspection Group Providing Peace of Mind, One Home