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Are you selling or buying real estate?


   This is one of the largest & stressful investment people go through more than once in their lifetime! Do you really want the inspection of your largest investment performed by the lowest qualified inspector because of inspection cost?
  Choosing a home inspector should be based upon certification, training, knowledge and experience! Never choose a home inspector solely on a cheaper price, cheaper price can result in being cheaply informed! You get what they pay for, don't risk a few dollars against your overall real estate investment. Once you buy it is yours! And for sellers, give your potential buyers some confidence of a professional inspection report towards buying your home.
   Don't settle for less. Insist on Jones Property Inspections. We charge a little more because we perform a lot more! It is better to be more informed, then under informed about the condition of a property.

What is included in the home inspection?

real estate home inspection   We will discuss deficiencies of the following areas with you on-site, or on another day if you cannot attend the inspection. Our Inspection covers over 300 conditions that could exist in a home, including (but not limited to):

  • GROUNDS and EXTERIOR: Inspection of grading, wall coverings, patios & decks, patio covers, sidewalks & driveways, soffits & fascias, doors & hardware, windows & trim, gutters & downspouts, retaining walls, fences & gates.
  • FOUNDATION: foundation type, crawlspace, visible footings, columns, floors, walls, chimneys.
  • ROOFING: structure, coverings, flashings, skylights, vent stacks & terminations, attic.
  • ELECTRICAL: service entrance, grounding, panel & sub panels, branch circuits, outlets & wall switches, GFCI's, AFCI's.
  • HEATING & A/C: description, combustion, components, supply & discharge lines, venting, ducts, registers, & controls.
  • PLUMBING: main & supply lines, drain lines, fixtures, vents, traps, functional flow.
  • INSULATION: and ATTIC STRUCTURE: attic, crawlspace, floors, condensate lines, ductwork, air & vapor barriers.
  • INTERIOR: walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors & hardware, stairs, fireplace, ceiling fans, laundry room, wet bar, bedrooms, closets, attic, emergency egress, smoke detectors, etc.
  • KITCHEN: sinks, faucet, drains, disposal, counters, cabinets, GFCI's, ranges, ovens, vent hoods, dishwashers, microwaves.
  • BATHROOMS: sinks, faucets, drains, diverters, toilets, tubs, hydro-jetted tubs, shower enclosures, shower pans, GFCI's, cabinets, counters, exhaust fans.


How long will a home inspection take?

   In most cases, a thorough home inspection takes around 3 hours, sometimes more, depending on the size, age and condition of the home. The inspector will provide a comprehensive, easy-to-read report, including digital photos of defects or concerns, typically the same day as the inspection.

What REALLY matters?

   Buying a home is stressful. A certified home inspection should give you peace of mind, but often has the opposite effect. You have to absorb a lot of information in a short amount of time, including a written report, a defects summary, photographs, environmental reports when requested, and what I say during the inspection. All this, combined with the seller's disclosure and what you notice yourself, can be an overwhelming experience. So what should you do?

Relax!

   The findings of an inspection will primarily be maintenance suggestions. The issues that really matter will be in four categories:

  • Major defects: An example of this would be a structural failure.
  • Items that lead to major defects: Minor plumbing leaks or a minor roof flashing leak, for example.
  • Safety hazards: Such as outdated or safety-recalled electrical systems.
  • Other issues: Which may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy, or insure the home.

  Anything in these categories should be addressed. Often a serious problem can be inexpensively corrected to protect both life and property (especially in categories 2 and 4). An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

  Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of defects uncovered during an inspection. Realize that sellers are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the report. No home is perfect. So keep things in perspective. Don't kill your purchase over things that don't matter. It is inappropriate to demand that a seller address deferred maintenance, conditions already listed on the seller's disclosure, or nit-picky items. Remember that older or "vintage" homes are not, and never will be, new homes--they were built differently and will operate differently. The opposite is also true.

  Water seeps into walls, ceilings, floors. and causes serious structural problems. By the time you realizes something is wrong it's too late. As a result, a family member can become sick. The homeowner finds out the family's illness is due to mold. There are numerous documented cases of homes causing serious, permanent illness in both children and adults. Testing must be done to reveal how much and what kind of mold exists, and what needs to be done to remedy the situation. Testing is the first step in addressing a mold problem, as the growth of mold can be hidden, leaving air and other testing the only way to find it. We can assist you with this crucial first step during your inspection.