Home Water Pressure Regulator

Real estate: For your protection: get a home inspection

What’s all the fuss about home inspections? For starters, it’s the opening statement the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Housing Administration, (FHA) makes before any documents will be considered when purchasing a HUD home or considering financing with FHA. What does HUD say about obtaining a home inspection? Let’s quote. HUD continues on by telling us home inspections are not appraisals. Appraisals are for lenders, inspections are for buyers. Inspections evaluate, identify, and estimate. Appraisals estimate the market value of a house. Why would we want this information? So we can make an informed decision. The best surprise is no surprise, especially after we have closed on the sale and moved in. What are some examples of structural issues we should inspect and consider? Obviously the foundation. Is it on a slab or on a crawl space with foundation walls? Is there settling or cracking? Are the floors properly supported or sagging with warped or rotten boards? Does the roof leak? What is the remaining life of the roofing shingles? Are there cracks in the walls or ceilings which appear excessive? Will the doors open and close without pushing and pulling? Are there broken windows? What about breaker panels and wiring; are there GFI outlets in the kitchen and bath. Are electrical outlets of the grounded type or not? It may make a difference if you need a grounded outlet for electrical components like stereo, computer and TV. Has the home been tested for termites? Is there active infestation? If so, repair the damage and kill the bugs. How about mechanical systems. With this heat and humidity you probably are thinking about air conditioning, an important component of the HVAC system. How old is it? Does it perform to factory specifications? Can it be easily accessed? Has it been maintained? Think about the  water heater. Is it leaking, is there rust? Is it adequate enough in gallons to serve your family needs? Is it vented to the exterior of the home, and is there a pressure regulator? Is there a water pressure regulator on the incoming water line to keep pressure from spiking and causing problems? Do the appliances work as intended? Environmental issues. If the home was constructed prior to 1978, there is the potential for lead-based paint. Is there moisture in the crawl space or basement? This can lead to the growth of mold. Is there adequate air flow and ventilation in the crawl space? If on a septic system, is it working? Are all systems, showers, baths, sinks, washers hooked up to the system? With public water throughout the county, the testing of well water isn’t what it once was. But if there is an operating well, test the water. Your city’s environmental department can perform that test with relative ease. HUD recommends a radon test; however, that has not been an issue in our region.

Real estate: For your protection: get a home inspection | Home ...

What’s all the fuss about home inspections? For starters, it’s the opening statement the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Housing Administration, (FHA) makes before any documents will be considered when purchasing a HUD home or considering financing with FHA. What does HUD say about obtaining a home inspection? Let’s quote.

Why a buyer needs a home inspection. A home inspection gives the buyer more detailed information about the overall condition of the home prior to purchase. In a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth, unbiased look at your potential new home to:

• Evaluate the physical condition: structure, construction, and mechanical systems;

• Identify items that need to be repaired or replaced; and

• Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems, equipment, structure, and finishes.

HUD continues on by telling us home inspections are not appraisals. Appraisals are for lenders, inspections are for buyers. Inspections evaluate, identify, and estimate. Appraisals estimate the market value of a house. Why would we want this information? So we can make an informed decision. The best surprise is no surprise, especially after we have closed on the sale and moved in.

What are some examples of structural issues we should inspect and consider? Obviously the foundation. Is it on a slab or on a crawl space with foundation walls? Is there settling or cracking? Are the floors properly supported or sagging with warped or rotten boards? Does the roof leak? What is the remaining life of the roofing shingles? Are there cracks in the walls or ceilings which appear excessive? Will the doors open and close without pushing and pulling? Are there broken windows? What about breaker panels and wiring; are there GFI outlets in the kitchen and bath. Are electrical outlets of the grounded type or not? It may make a difference if you need a grounded outlet for electrical components like stereo, computer and TV. Has the home been tested for termites? Is there active infestation? If so, repair the damage and kill the bugs.

How about mechanical systems. With this heat and humidity you probably are thinking about air conditioning, an important component of the HVAC system. How old is it? Does it perform to factory specifications? Can it be easily accessed? Has it been maintained? Think about the  water heater. Is it leaking, is there rust? Is it adequate enough in gallons to serve your family needs? Is it vented to the exterior of the home, and is there a pressure regulator? Is there a water pressure regulator on the incoming water line to keep pressure from spiking and causing problems? Do the appliances work as intended?

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