Columbia SC home inspections have become an important commodity in today's real estate market. Home buying can be a fun adventure. However, it can also be worrisome, stressful and problematic. The last thing you want or need during the home buying process is to make your purchase, move in your newly-found home and discover there are problems that can only be repaired by lots of time, money and headaches. If only you were aware of the problems or repairs before you signed on the dotted line. Frankly, that's exactly why Columbia SC home inspections are not just a good idea – they're the best idea. Let's take a closer look at why home inspections are important, what they cover, how much they cost and why they're worth every penny.
Columbia SC Home Inspections: Learning More
What should a good home inspection include?
There's no "one size fits all" for Columbia SC home inspections. Every home is different, and home inspections, although they generally cover most all the main components of the house, may vary. The advice most real estate professionals give is to find out ahead of time what the inspection will cover and what it won't. That way, there shouldn't be surprises or disappointments. Upon completion of the inspection, the inspector will provide a written report with a list of problem areas discovered, including supporting photographs. These areas are covered in a normal home inspection:
• Plumbing
• Foundation
• Roof
• Attic
• Electrical system
• HVAC
• Fireplaces
• Interior and exterior (general overview)
In addition, there are other areas that may require specialized certification in order to have them inspected and evaluated. An additional inspector will likely be needed and that inspection may cost additional. Here are some additional areas for which you may wish to hire a specialist to handle:
• Asbestos
• Radon
Home inspections should be non-invasive and non-intrusive – the inspector shouldn't make holes in the drywall, damage fixtures or remove roofing shingles. If the inspector recommends more invasive procedures be made he should inform the homeowner. Those additional examinations should only be made with the written permission of the homeowner. Therefore, it's probably a good idea to be present when the Columbia SC home inspection takes place.
What costs can I expect?
Some buyers try to save money by electing not to have an inspection performed. And while hiring an inspector is an additional expense, it will more than pay for itself if it helps you avoid problems, expensive repairs and buying a proverbial "lemon."
Average home inspection costs are in the neighborhood of $300 to $400. Depending on the size of a smaller home (say, 1,000 square feet or less) or in the case of a condominium the cost could be closer to $200-$250. A larger home of 2,000 square feet or more would cost approximately $400-$500.
While price is important, a more important factor is the experience and qualifications of the home inspector or Columbia SC home inspections company. Consider this when contracting for a home inspection:
• Home inspection fees are calculated differently. Some inspectors charge a flat rate based on the square footage of the home, taking into consideration the living area, area under roof, or the amount of time it takes to perform the inspection. If you have a large house and the inspector is charging on the amount of time the inspection will take, expect to pay more.
• A home's age will also have a bearing on the amount charged. Newer homes can usually be inspected in 2-3 hours, but older homes may take 4-5 hours. Remember, an older house has a longer history, and longer histories often mean more repairs, potential problems and a closer look.
• One last tip: As with most things, you get what you pay for. The lowest price doesn't always equal the best results. Make sure your Columbia SC home inspections professional is certified and qualified.
What about extra costs?
A quote provided up front from a reputable home inspector will likely be pretty accurate. Nevertheless, it's a good idea to know about extra costs that you may incur. One example is a detached garage. Some home inspectors consider the garage as part of the house and include it in the price. Others consider it an additional building and may charge extra for its inspection. In addition, if your house has extras that most houses may not, such as a swimming pool, septic system or outbuildings you should probably expect to pay additional for them. Due to health and environmental concerns there are often items that may incur additional costs. These may include:
• Asbestos – While newer homes probably don't contain harmful asbestos, older homes may. Expect to pay a minimum of $400-$500 for inspection and testing. Plus, asbestos removal can be a very expensive proposition – depending on the amount of asbestos. Expect the cost to be as little as $500 or as much as $25,000 or more!
• Mold – Most homes cost around $750-$900 to have mold tests. If mold is discovered, professional removal could run as much as $2,500 or more.
• Lead – Homes built before 1978 should be inspected for the presence of lead in paint and the water pipes. The test for lead would probably cost around $300. If the results come back positive for lead in either the paint or the pipes, lead removal could cost from $1,000-$2,500 or more
• Sewer scope – Often overlooked, the inspection of your sewer could be worthwhile if your home is more than 20 years old. Sewer pipes could be blocked by expanding tree roots or other obstructions. The cost of having a sewer scope performed will be roughly $100-$300
And what about the unexpected costs?
While Columbia SC home inspections are not required, they are recommended. Trying to save a few hundred dollars today could result in having to pay a few thousand dollars down the proverbial road. Some unexpected items include the following, along with their approximate cost:
• Electrical issues – The cost of bringing an older home "up to code" could range from $10,000-$15,000
• Plumbing issues – Older plumbing can often contain unseen problems. The cost to perform repairs or maintenance by a licensed plumber would be in the $250 range
• HVAC – A new furnace can cost between $2,000-$12,000. Parts for repairs may run $500-$750. Water heaters will run $600-$1,000
• Windows – If you replace only the windows, you can expect to pay $300-$700 each, and $500-$1,000 each for both the window and frame
• Flooring – Floor joists often need to be replaced in older homes. They usually cost $100-$300 each. If an entire section of joists need replacing the cost can be $5,000-$10,000. If the house needs to be jacked up and have all joists replaced, expect to pay $10,000-$30,000 or more!
A last word on Columbia SC home inspections: The old adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" has never been truer. If you find a home you want to buy, consider investing in the cost of a home inspection. It could save you a small fortune over the long haul and provide you valuable peace of mind.
A Columbia SC home inspection may not necessarily be required, but it’s usually a good idea and a popular recommendation from industry insiders and real estate agents. However, hiring the right inspection company or home inspector is very important.
Because home inspection horror stories can and do happen, some prospective buyers seek the expertise of two home inspectors — the real estate equivalent of the proverbial "second opinion." In this case, each inspector can act to double-check each other.
Hiring a Qualified Columbia SC Home Inspection Company
Beware of these tell-tale signs (red flags) that you've hired the wrong home inspector.
If your home inspector insists on working alone, it could be a sign that he's not doing a thorough job and isn't fully communicating potential issues or problems to you. It's best to at least be present while he conducts the inspection. Many times even if he doesn't rate a specific area of your home as needing future maintenance or repair, he may, at a minimum, comment on shoddy workmanship or poor-quality repairs that you may otherwise not know about.
The inspector isn't properly licensed. If you're having a Columbia SC home inspection performed, you'll want to make sure your inspector is licensed in the state where the home is located. This may be especially prevalent if you live close to a neighboring state. Chance are the inspector will be licensed in both states… but don't automatically assume that to be the case. Most importantly, if your home inspector isn't licensed, the inspection carries no legitimacy with respect to recommended repairs used as negotiation tools with the seller.
The inspector's communication regarding building codes is unclear or confusing. Let's be honest, unless you're familiar with building codes and regulations, you're relying solely on the inspector to explain and notate them as they relate to your Columbia SC home inspection. A good inspector will indicate various items or areas of the home that may need future attention and include a footnote as an explanation of what the code requires to "back up" his findings. Because building codes are always changing and evolving. It's important for an inspector to explain what he means if, for example, he indicates on his report that many of the home components don't, meet the building codes when in fact the only homes that would do so are ones built very recently.
For more articles pertaining to a Columbia SC home inspection, see the Columbia SC Home Inspection section of our site below Columbia SC Real Estate Categories in the column to your right.
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A Columbia SC home inspection is not only a good idea, but it’s usually a requirement before purchasing. The purpose of a home inspection is to check out all the basic elements of the home. A good home inspector will make recommendations if he sees something that needs attention or isn't quite up to par.
Consider These Columbia SC Home Inspection Parts
- The Structure – The home should be on a solid foundation and should include a strong frame for optimum support.
- Interior Elements – The doors, walls, floors and windows should be in good repair.
- Roofing – The roof shouldn't have missing or loose shingles, or aging components that would weaken the roof or lead to leaks or decay.
- Systems in Good Condition – Interior working conveniences such as plumbing, heating and cooling, electrical, and appliances should be in good shape and functioning at their highest capacity.
Take our advice: If you want to avoid nightmares and unknown problems, get a Columbia SC home inspection before you buy any home.
From the 15-foot boa constrictor holed up in the wall, to a house ready to collapse in a stiff wind, to electrical wiring that bursts into flames at the flip of a switch, Columbia SC home inspections have turned up about everything. And those horror stories could be yours if you don't have the home you're considering inspected before you buy.
Getting A Columbia SC Home Inspection Could Save You Thousands!
While some buyers might balk because of the extra cost, spending a few hundred dollars to get a Columbia SC home inspection could save you thousands in the long run.
In most home-purchase offers, it's customary to include a clause making the transaction contingent on the findings of a home inspection. If the inspection reveals real problems, what happens next depends on the contract.
The seller may cover repair costs; the buyer and seller might split costs; the seller might credit the buyer money to make repairs; or the seller might reduce the price. If the buyer and seller can't come to terms, the buyer can walk away from the agreement.
As any Columbia SC home inspector will point out, what you don't know CAN hurt you.
A typical Columbia SC home inspection takes several hours and looks at things such as the heating and air-conditioning systems, plumbing, electrical systems and the roof. Specialty inspectors can check for mold, radon gas and energy efficiency. If repairs are needed, hire a licensed contractor. That way, there's a paper trail that the work has been done. And you should have the home reinspected to make sure the repairs were done properly.
When working with us, we ALWAYS make any offer contingent on a satisfactory home inspection.
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Home Inspections: Deal Breakers or Makers?
A home inspection is simply a visual examination of a house’s overall condition. The home inspection report describes a house’s physical shape and identifies what might need crucial repair or replacement. Although what’s covered in a standard report can vary by inspector, typically the status of the following will be included:
- heating system
- central air conditioning system
- interior plumbing and electrical systems
- roof
- attic
- visible insulation
- walls
- ceilings
- floors
- windows
- doors
- foundation
- basement
- all structural components.
A home inspection is not an appraisal, which determines market value, and it’s not a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. Inspectors won’t survey inaccessible areas of home; they don’t do any kind of destructive testing — only non-invasive visual assessments. The report won’t include the condition of every nail, wire or pipe in the home. The report also does not guarantee a home’s components will never fail or need repair in the future.
So, what are the deal breakers of a home inspection? That depends entirely on you. What is and is not a deal breaker depends on each person’s preferences and needs. For example, an inspection that identifies damaged floor joists might be a deciding factor for one person who feels the problem is too expensive or time-consuming to fix.
However, the same trouble with joists might be absolutely acceptable for another client who has resources to fix the issue. A home inspector does not tell a customer whether or not to buy a house. Rather, it’s his or her job to provide all the available information so home buyers (or sellers) can make the decision that’s right for them.
If you’re thinking of buying a house and a home inspector finds problems with it, this doesn’t automatically mean you shouldn’t buy it. The findings simply mean you now know what you’re getting into. If the plumbing needs to be replaced in six months, at least you won’t be surprised when it happens. If major problems like this are found, the seller may agree to make the repairs. Of course, no house is perfect. It’s quite normal for a residence to have some glitches. It just depends on how many faults you’re willing to deal with before you walk away from the sale.
Home inspections differ based on the person or organization conducting them. The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), for example, is not required to check for wood-destroying organisms or diseases harmful to humans, including mold or moldlike substances. Many inspectors offer services to check for these things, although some will charge an additional fee.
Besides having the right things covered in an inspection, you should also make sure you hire the right person for the job. Unfortunately, there’s no surefire way to vet an inspector’s complete history. However, there are a number of steps you can take to make an informed decision.
Consult your real estate attorney or ask friends, business acquaintances or professionals who understand the housing industry for a recommendation. If you already have someone in mind, ask the inspector for professional references and call the people on this list with specific questions about the inspector and the services provided. Before you hire someone, make sure you’re comfortable with him or her first. Have a conversation ahead of time and review sample reports to make sure you can understand them.
Besides checking with ASHI, there are other reputable resources such as the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) and the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI).
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Could Your Shaky Personal Finances Get You Fired?
According to a recent study by the Society for Human Resource Management, some 83% of HR professionals think personal financial challenges have at least some impact on employees’ performance. Those same HR professionals aren’t blind to economic reality — 80% of them believe employees at their organizations are facing more financial challenges than they were five years ago.
Though the consequences are unpleasant, the logic is fairly straightforward: If someone can’t maintain control of their own financial situation when their personal money is on the line, what would make them motivated to be a better steward of the company’s money belonging to nameless and faceless shareholders?
That said, at most companies, having personal money troubles are not a fire-able offense. But if your performance is slipping, the odds are slim that your boss will pick you for the next available role of increasing responsibility. If the company also has reason to believe money troubles are behind your performance slippage, you can expect significantly tighter scrutiny on whatever areas you do have any individual discretion over.
Is it fair to have career troubles just because you’re having money troubles at home? Probably not, but speaking frankly, whether it’s “fair” or not doesn’t really matter. It is what it is.
If you are having money troubles, the first step toward regaining control is to stop trying to put on flashy displays of wealth you don’t really have. You’re neither fooling nor impressing anybody by showcasing your spending, and your employer already knows what you make. Spending money faster than your boss knows you’re earning it is a major red flag and can actually invite more scrutiny, not less.
Even in less instantly obvious ways, taking control of your finances is largely a matter of understanding — and making tough choices — on how and where you spend your cash. Brown-bagging your lunch can easily save you between $20 and $40 a week versus eating out, and home-brewed coffee instead of a couple daily cups from the coffee shop can have a similar impact.
No matter how you choose to cut back, doing so will help you take control of your finances. And with control over your finances, you’ll gain the opportunity to stop the career death spiral that otherwise threatens to turn some short-term cash flow issues into a serious long-term problem.
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Home Prices Fall More Than Expected
According to the closely watched S&P/Case-Shiller composite index, U.S. single-family home prices fell more than expected in November, highlighting the continuing struggle of the housing market to make a meaningful recovery.
Like most measures of the economy, the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index is not perfect. However, it has a critical shortcoming that almost no one talks about.
We already know the data comes in on a bit of a lag. The data doesn’t hit the database until the public filing after closing. But the closing may be months after the agreement between buyer and seller (and the banks that provide financing). Ultimately, the lag can be a long time (sometimes up to six months) between when a price is agreed upon, the mortgage is secured, the closing occurs, and the sale is recorded and available for public use.
The Case-Shiller index is based on closings. However, four to eight weeks from contract to closing is major lag. November home price data reflects September or October prices at contract, which is the more relevant measure for a home buyer or seller. In other words, it would be inaccurate for users of the Case-Shiller data to assume the monthly index data reflects monthly market prices without some additional lag.
Furthermore, the time from contract to closing may vary depending on the city, which would make the Case-Shiller indices even more problematic. Those using such data as the Case-Shiller index data need to be aware of exactly what the data is really saying.