Home Spectors Inspection Services

Providing the best in home inspection services in SE North Carolina

Funny Home Inspector Finds

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At Home Spectors, we know your success is our success. We hope you enjoy and learn from the photos we have posted. If you are in need of a home inspection or need a backup when your current inspector is busy. We hope you will consider Home Spectors, where you receive way more than just a home inspection.

  • One call for all your inspection needs.
  • Same day precise reports without scaring clients.
  • MLS access and Supra Keys
  • Complete repair request while viewing our reports.
  • Online scheduling
  • Office Staff who can schedule your inspections, set appointments, send invoices, and get you any needed paperwork for closing. Their job is to make your job easier. The office staff and inspectors will quickly answer any questions you or your clients may have.
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Ten Things To Ask Your Home Inspector

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Are you or your client in the market for a home inspection? If so we'd like to share some industry secrets to help you make a sound decision. There is a huge public misconception that all home inspection companies are created equally. Most of the time the only common ground inspectors share is the license that they acquired by the State Licensure Board.
At Home Spectors, we want you to protect one of your largest investments.  We have created a TOP 10 LIST of the most important questions you should ask before hiring your home inspection company
Top 10:
1. How long has the company/inspector been conducting home inspections?
2. How long will it take for the inspector to conduct the inspection?
3. Is the report detailed, including multiple photos and when will the inspection report be completed and available to the client? Ask for sample report!!
4. Does the inspector carry E&O insurance which also protects the the real estate agent during inspection transaction?
5. Does the inspector provide warranties with every inspection and conduct RecallChek on the appliances?
6. Does the inspector offer add on services such as mold, radon and termite?
7. Office staff to schedule appointments, schedule through showing time and answer general questions?
8. Payment method? and is there a fee to pay using credit card?
9. Does the company have more than one Inspector for quick transactions?
10. Price
Notice price is #10. If the inspection company(s) answer the previous questions to your satisfaction then price should be considered at this point.
These questions should help you determine which company is right for you! Saving a few dollars on a home inspection could cost you thousands in the future.

Deal Killers

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Home inspectors are often on the receiving end of the term "deal killer".  When examining the reason behind this, one can find valid points to dispute the nickname. An article by Trulia.com cites lack of buyer commitment, low appraisals, and poorly written contingencies as the top three reasons that real estate transactions fall apart. This is not to argue that a home inspection, which reveals major defects, cannot “kill a deal”. Let's just take under consideration that the most common failure in a real estate transaction is not the inspection.

Real estate agents and good home inspectors can minimize the shock that buyers often feel after a home inspection is completed. The best way, in my opinion, is to set proper expectations and education. Today's home buyers are often unprepared for the home inspection process. They do not understand how a home functions and they did not grow up helping their parents make repairs around their home. As stated in last month's article, this generation of buyers also have higher expectations. They often believe that the home should be in perfect condition and if not, the seller should make every repair needed to meet that standard.

Something very important for buyers to understand is that no home is perfect. Whether the home was built in 1920 or 2017, there is a great likelihood that defects will be noted. Most often, the defects in a 2017 home would be small and simple to repair, whereas, the 1920 home could have more costly defects. An inspection report will list all defects found at the time of inspection and it's up to the agent and the home inspector to help the buyer navigate through the report.

I remember when home inspection reports were roughly 12 pages and that included pictures. Home inspection reports today are often 40-60 pages and may include videos, thermal images, aerial photos, and even sewer scopes. Buyers also have online access to information, such as building or improvement permits, tax information and even insurance claims. This information overload can affect a home buyer's decision-making skills.

The home buyer may have difficulty discerning between minor and major issues on the inspection report. The home inspector and real estate agent should review the report with them and answer any questions they may have. Buyers need to understand that not all the defects on the inspection report have the same urgency for repair and it is highly unlikely that the seller will fix all the minor defects. It is important when looking through the home inspection report and preparing the repair request list to differentiate the minor repairs from the major ones.

It's also important for home buyers to understand the maintenance that comes with home ownership. No home is maintenance free, and of course, the older the home is, the more maintenance the buyer will inherit. This ensures that the buyer has all the necessary information to make an educated decision on the home right for them, as some buyers may not be in a financial position to maintain an older home.

In conclusion, a better educated buyer will be able to make a decision that is right for them on asking for repairs and moving forward with the purchase of a home. Real estate agents that understand the home inspection process will also understand that it is the condition of the home and the inability to get repairs completed and not the actual home inspector that kills deals.

7 Ways To Help Prepare Your Home For Winter

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Winter is on its way and, for most of the country that means freezing temps, wind, snow, ice and heavy jackets.

To prepare your home and your household for the colder months ahead, review this handy checklist, which is designed to help you be more prepared for whatever old man winter has in store. Please keep personal safety in mind when checking items off this list, and connect with a trusted professional or contractor for help with anything you are unable to do yourself

1. Invest in weather stripping

Weather stripping is a good way to help seal warm air in and cold air out of your home. Available in almost any hardware store, weather stripping installs quickly around windows and doors and can help prevent air leaks.

Before winter arrives, check the following parts of your home for leaks or drafts:

  • Windows
  • Doors
  • Vents and fans
  • Plumbing areas
  • Air conditioners
  • Mail chutes
  • Electrical and gas lines

2. Clean your gutters

Clear gutters help drain water away from your roof and your house. If they’re clogged however, especially in colder months, they’re more apt to freeze, causing additional blockages. Blocked gutters can allow melting ice and snow to seep into your roof, or flood your home’s foundation, causing damage.

If it’s safe to do so, take some time before winter hits and clear out your gutters, or work with a trusted roofing professional or contractor to have your gutters cleaned.

3. Evaluate your roof to prevent ice dams

While a roofing professional is cleaning the gutters, see if he or she can evaluate your roof for ice dams too.

In cold weather, heat escaping your home can melt and refreeze ice and snow on your roof, leading to ice dams. These block off drains, and let water and ice continually build up on your roof – and possibly under it – weakening your roof and putting your home at risk.

To help prevent ice dams:

  • Insulate your attic – Your attic should have plenty of insulation to prevent too much heat transfer from your living areas to the attic. Check parts of the attic that may not be well insulated, like:
    • Pipes and vents
    • Chimney systems
    • Light fixtures
  • Ventilate your attic – If your attic wasn’t built with a ventilation system, contact a trusted professional or contractor about ventilating your attic before winter. Proper ventilation allows cold air into the attic, while the insulation seals heat in your living areas. This can help prevent warm air from melting ice on the roof, leading to possible damage.

4. Buy a roof rake to keep snow from building up

According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IIBHS), an average roof can handle up to four feet of fresh snow before it’s stressed. However, as snow packs down from multiple storms, could cause a roof collapse!

If you expect a lot of snow this winter, invest in a roof rake. It can help you easily clear snow off your roof and protect your home during those blizzard months.

5. Prune trees around the house

If there are long tree branches hanging near your house, your roof, or your gutters, prune them before it gets too cold. Branches broken from heavy snow and ice can cause all kinds of damage to your home. A few hours with the pruner now could save you thousands of dollars in damages later this winter.

6. Stock up on basics

You know what happens when the news calls for bad weather; stores flood with people, all buying milk, bread, batteries, flashlights, and duct tape by the truck load. How do you avoid this mess?

Stock up on basic supplies before winter, and stay cozy in your home.

Strong winds, blizzards, ice, and snow can cause blackouts and power outages, which can wreak havoc on your home in the winter. To prepare, keep supplies on hand, and read more about the types of alternate heating sources available for purchase.

7. Protect pipes from freezing

According to the IIBHS, a burst pipe can cause more than $5,000 in water damage! Thankfully, you can do something to help protect your pipes from freezing in bitter cold weather.

Don’t turn the heat down too much when you’re out of the house. You may not be there to enjoy it, but your pipes need the heat to prevent freezing.

Let faucets drip during serious cold snaps to provide relief for your pipes.

Give your home a once over for any exposed or vulnerable piping, and wrap them with insulation. Hardware stores usually carry foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves for pipes, which are easy to install.

Caulk up cracks or holes in your walls to keep cold air away from pipes. This might not be practical for the average homeowner, so speak to a trusted contractor.

If your pipes do freeze, and water stops flowing from faucets, call a plumber immediately!

Considering this checklist can help provide information so you can prepare for the trials and tribulations of winter. However, sometimes seasons throw us curveballs we simply can’t plan for. Talk to a Farmers® agent about the coverage you want, and any concerns you have going into this winter season.