Buying house... going to meet with home inspector, need help suggestions...

House went on market in September.

Built in late 60's, well taken care of, not made of McMansion shit wood like houses built today.

Looking at this time of the year was smart move...

Don't buy a house you can't afford/live above your means or you too will be foreclosed in this giant land grab banks are doing.Read the fine print.Is your job truely secure?

Yes, let's just say that my wife and I are in the right place financially.

Goodluck, just know that it'll be the perfect home.

If he is a good home inspector the only questions you will be asking is "what will it take or how much will it cost to repair that?"

The only thing I think may be an issue is maybe mold in basement.

The basement was finished a few years ago and is in superb condition.

But I know mold can be hidden...

Also doing radon testing...

built in the 60s, very important to check the wiring. when he pops the lid on the breaker box, look to see if any of the wiring looks silver. that's aluminum wiring, which is a damn fine reason to say "no thanks". check for previous termite treatments (sticker on water heater or breaker box, possibly central ac or heater plenum). depending on area, you might want to go banging roof rafters and ceiling joists. termites can be a real bitch. most home inspectors arent worth shit, they just kind of glide through and do as little as possible. check the roof yourself. anything that appears "hinkey" in the slightest is probably covering something a lot worse.

If the inspector was one recommended

by your real estate agent cancel

the appointment and research

for one on your own. Now

go figure out why!

aluminum wiring? Why is that?

Yes, I'm going to be following his ass everywhere asking him to look at everything.

So they may have tried to cover up termite damage by replacing rotted sections?

I will be going up into attic with inspector...

Oh aluminum wiring can melt and catch fire? got it.

How old is the plumbing - original or replaced once already?
Is it copper?

Is the electrical wiring original, or replaced?

How many amps to the box? Probably a 70-amp box, but you'll need 200-amp if you plan to use a hair dryer at the same time as your washer/dryer or microwave.

How does the main sewer line look? Did he bring a camera to look in there? If not, call Roto-Rooter out right away for a $99 inspection of that. Tree roots constantly grow in the pipes and it costs thousands to replace each time.

How many more years are left on the roof?

Are there any cracks in the foundation?

Be very matter-of-fact. Get your answers, get an estimate from a contractor for repairs, and offer the seller a reduced price to allow for the cost of repair work.

Don't ask a whole bunch of questions while the inspection is being done, their work requires more levels than you might see at first. The inspection will speak for itself. The home loan will require the home is up to a certain level. (roof intact, no rodent activity, no dampness under the house.) Usually the bank will require this be done by the seller before the sale so the real owner (the bank) can have an intact property sitting in the neighborhood if they have to foreclose on you. After that it is bargaining. Like, the cost of more miner repairs can come off the offer, or can become part of the "repairs required by seller prior to sale." Look at your form 17, this is where the owner has to come clean, let the inspector see this as well. He/she will tell you if they were honest, if they were not honest then money comes off the offer in the repairs needed not mentioned. (If it is a sellers market which it is.)

Listen to your head, lots of properties out there, still deals to be had. Remember, you can request up to $11,000.00 in cash after the sale for repairs. Know these things but act humble like you would love to help them out if you could but you just won't qualify without the, work, compensation, reduced price, you get the idea) People are very emotional about their homes, share your love for the home with them, do not tell them they have horrible taste. In the end ask the inspector if s/he thinks you should go through with the sale and ask them what the terms could be. Do not tell the seller who is doing the inspection.l Until you have the report in your hand.

Thanks for advice comrades!

Ya, don't trust their view. They are trying to sell a house, they will say it's great. Proof?? Well, they said my house was great, no problems and worth the asking price. 2 years later, we have to fix the roof, found lead pipes for the drinking water, have to repair the foundation and it looks like we spent twice the amount it was worth.

We are looking at roughly $20k in repairs.

make sure your heating / AC system is in good shape.

i learned this the hard way on my first house.

yes get your own inspector

tell them to fuck off , you will be back in the springtime and pay half the current price or buy something else

You don't need to ask questions. Your home inspector will go from top to bottom inspecting your might be home. He/she will look at things you never thought to look at: stove switches, handles on cabnits. No worries for you. Thats why your paying.

Here is a few points to consider asking :-)

*Is the insulation up to standard
*Has there been any damage repair
*ask if there has been any extensions or renovations to the home



P.S Check for any cracks
Excessive bugs in the garage and in the roof etc


If there's carpet ask if what kind of wood is under it .



Hope this helps :-)

Firstly you must ask if a Senore Rodriguez Wall ever lived ther, or any Wall Descendants.

This is very important, for without any Walls in the residence..what holdeth up ye thine roof? Brethren?

Make sure the roof is not older then 15 yrs, insurance companies don't like to do coverage if roof is old.

Asbestos on the duct work ceiling tiles siding etc. Not a huge deal unless you start doing renovations. Removal can be pricey.

Aluminium wiring.
Past flood damage.. for future issues.(backflow preventer, window wells)
Cracks in foundation.

In it has central air pull out the furnace filter. If the filter is clogged it shows lack of maintenance. Pull the vent cover, if filthy inside, the duct system may have never been cleaned.

This is stuff you can do yourself though. I'd let the inspector do his thing while I did my own checks.

And as someone else pointed out.
Always hire your own inspector, no ifs ands or buts.
Period exclamation point.