Camas, Washington – Home Inspection

Home Inspector - Camas, Washington

Home Inspector – Camas, Washington

A home inspection is an important part of real estate transactions for home buyers and sellers. Nonprofit Home Inspections offers home inspections for residents in Camas, WA and the surrounding areas.

Buyers

After months of looking for the perfect home, you have finally found it. You have written an offer and the seller has accepted it. The next step is the home inspection. Don’t make the mistake of waiving it. If you are purchasing a home, you want to make sure that the home you are buying is safe and structurally sound. It is essential to know the condition of the exterior, grounds, foundation, roof, attic, basement, interior, electrical systems, and plumbing of the home. Things like improper drainage from grading issues in the backyard and outdated electrical systems could equal significant expenses. A home inspection offers a way to deal with these problems by negotiating with the seller for repairs or backing out of the deal if necessary.

Sellers

The majority of home buyers request an inspection. This is great considering the fact that inspections can reveal serious issues. Problems uncovered during a home inspection can create serious issues for sellers, however. It can delay the closing or possibly end the sale altogether. One way to avoid a worst-case scenario is to have a pre-listing home inspection.

Getting your home inspected before you put it on the market gives you the upper hand. You will know ahead of time what repairs are needed. You can make them at your convenience and hire who you want to complete the work.

What Can A Home Inspection Reveal?

A home inspection can be quite an eye-opener for both home buyers and sellers. It can reveal a lot of useful information about a home, as well as problems. Here are some examples of issues that are sometimes uncovered during a full home inspection.

Roof

  • Missing or damaged roof shingles
  • Signs of leaks or water damage
  • Soft spots
  • Inadequate flashing
  • Improper drainage

Basement and Crawl Space

  • Drainage or flooding problems
  • Cracks in the foundation walls
  • Rotten support beams and posts

Structure and Foundation

  • Visible cracks in the foundation wall
  • Indications of other structural problems (bowed floors, windows, and doors that won’t close, etc.)
  • Signs of water penetration (stains on walls, etc.)

Lot

  • Inadequate drainage away from the foundation
  • Condition of sidewalks, driveways, and other walkways
  • Visible evidence of septic leaks

Kitchen

  • Appliances that don’t work properly
  • Inefficient appliances

Plumbing

  • Home Inspection - Camas, Washington

    Home Inspection – Camas, Washington

    Pipes that don’t drain properly

  • Problems with shut-off valves
  • Leaking pipes
  • Failing or aging water heaters

Interior

  • Broken windows or doors
  • Chimney damage

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

  • Aging equipment
  • Proper thermostat operation

Electrical System

  • Improper grounding
  • Improperly wired main electrical panel
  • Safety issues (old aluminum wiring, etc.)
  • Missing fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide detectors

A home inspection not only uncovers problems with the home, but it also provides helpful information to help make homeownership easier. We provide you with a life expectancy list for all of the major components in the home. Having this information will help you plan for big expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Home Inspections

Here are some of the answers to your most frequently asked questions about home inspections.

Can A House Fail A Home Inspection?

A home inspection is not a pass / fail report. It is simply a comprehensive analysis of the major components of a property. Therefore, a home cannot pass or fail. Most real estate contracts provide an “out” for buyers to back out of the sale based on the results of the inspection. Our home inspection reports detail thousands of items in a home. No house is perfect. There will be things that are identified as problematic. However, this does not need to be cause for panic. You can use the information to negotiate with the seller for repairs or possibly ask for a credit at closing to do the repairs yourself. You have options.

What Does A Home Inspection Not Cover?

Full home inspections don’t cover mold or radon. Since these specialty inspections require laboratory samples or special equipment, they cost extra. You can easily add these inspections on to your full home inspection for a nominal fee. We are certified to conduct both mold and radon testing by the International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants, as well as the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

Should I Be Present During the Inspection?

We absolutely recommend that you attend the home inspection. This will give you a chance to ask questions and get answers. It will also help you learn important things about your new home, such as:

  • Where the water, gas, and electric shut-off valves and switches are located.
  • How to properly maintain your HVAC system (heating and air conditioning) so that it will last longer.
  • Learn which repairs can wait until later and which ones are critical.
  • Find out the approximate age of the roof and other major components of your house.

What Is The Inspection Report?

The very same day that we do your inspection, you will receive a full inspection report. This report will include a detailed explanation of the condition of your home. We encourage you to ask questions about any items that need further elaboration.

How Much Does A Home Inspection Cost?

Our home inspections start at $395 for homes that are up to 2,000 square feet and built after 1979. As a nonprofit organization, we strive to help all homeowners understand the condition of their home, especially safety and environmental issues that could pose a danger to the home’s occupants. Therefore, we offer full home inspections on a sliding fee scale so that anyone can afford one.

How Long Do Inspections Take?

Because we are so thorough, our inspections typically take 2.5 to 3 hours on site depending on the size of your home. We then write up the report back at the office and send you a digital copy the same day as the inspection.

Schedule Your Camas, WA Home Inspection

Contact us at 1-360-558-7600 or email us at info@nonprofithomeinspections.org for questions about home inspections. For your convenience, all home inspections are scheduled online on our website.

Service Type: Home Inspection | Service Area: Camas, WA
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