Why should I get a home inspection before listing my home?
For so many reasons, but the best reason is to maximize your profit when you sell your home.
Your inspection can be used to give you a better understanding of conditions which may be discovered by the buyers’ inspector, and provides you with an opportunity to make repairs ahead of time thus eliminating the majority of negotiation points buyers use. By repairing even minor problems, you can reduce the items that may cause concern when time is of the essence to a potential buyer.
The best time for a home inspection is before you put your house on the market. Why wait until there is a contract to find out there is a significant defect in the home?
PRE-LISTING INSPECTIONS
A pre-listing inspection is highly recommended for sellers who want to maximize their profits when selling their home. Skyline Home Inspection provides you with a critical third party viewpoint. While no one can find every single thing that may be an issue in the future, our report pinpoints defects and minor concerns, observable at the time of the inspection, so you can take care of them before a potential buyer uses them to negotiate or pass over your home. Buyers are known to ask for significant reductions in a purchase price based on findings from an inspection, usually quite a bit more than what it would take to repair these items. Many people don't have a realistic idea of how much things cost to fix, so they may inflate the estimated costs. Taking care of things ahead of time can reduce or eliminate this bargaining.
In addition to the comprehensive, narrative report, we provide you with a "punch list" of items, both major and minor, giving you a guideline for possible repairs. Don't let the buyers' inspector present you with this information, possibly delaying a closing or negating a contract.
Eventually your buyers are going to conduct an inspection so… you might as well know what they are going to find by getting there first.
Having your own inspection:
allows you to see your home through the eyes of a critical third-party
helps you to price your home realistically
permits you to make repairs ahead of time
may encourage the buyer to waive the inspection contingency
may alert you of items of immediate personal concern, such as leaks or foundation issues
may relieve concerns and suspicions
may reduce your liability by adding professional supporting documentation to your disclosure statement
alerts you to immediate safety issues before agents and visitors tour your home
allows you to have copies of the inspection report along with receipts for any repairs available to potential buyers.
Home Warranty Inspections
So you've lived in your newly constructed home for nearly a year and your warranty is about to expire. Have Skyline Home Inspection complete a thorough review of your home.
We'll check out your home from top to bottom and provide you with a comprehensive report that details items you may wish to have corrected by the builder prior to your warranty expiration.
Sometimes these issues can be minor, but many times we find structural issues such as foundation, unnoticed leaks or roofing problems. Have the facts in front of you so you can take advantage of your warranty. Don't wait until any problems become solely your responsibility.
A small investment now could save you money in the future.
How Long Will It Take?
As long as it needs in order to conduct a thorough inspection. However, most inspections take a minimum of two hours, averaging about three hours. The length of the inspection depends on many factors including the age of the home, the condition of the home and the size of the property.
What Are Many Of The Top Defects Found In A Home Inspection?
Poor Drainage
The most common problem we find is poor drainage. This can result from clogged, damaged or missing drain lines, disconnected gutter downspouts, or just overflowing gutters filled with debris. Clean your gutters regularly and make sure all your downspouts are connected. Grade soil downhill and away from the foundation. A new system of roof gutters and downspouts may need to be installed, or the lot re-graded to better channel water away from the house.
Faulty Wiring
Especially in older homes, an insufficient or out-of-date electrical system is common. This can be potentially hazardous. The entire electrical system or a part of it may need to be replaced to bring the home up to code or to make it safe.
Roof Leaks
Water damage to the roof may be caused by old/damaged shingles, or improper flashing (sheet metal used in waterproofing at roof valleys or hips or the angle between a chimney and a roof). Shingles and small amounts of flashing are relatively cheap and easy to repair, but replacing an entire roof is a much larger expense.
Unsafe Heating System
Older or poorly-maintained heating systems can be a serious health and safety hazard. If your heating system is anything other than electrical, install carbon monoxide detectors in the house.
Poor Maintenance
Examples of poor maintenance include cracked or peeling paint, crumbling masonry, broken fixtures, shoddy wiring or plumbing. You can easily repaint a wall, replace a fixture or repair a brick wall. Electrical or plumbing deficiencies, however, are serious and potentially dangerous.
Minor Structural Damage
Minor structural damage doesn't mean the house is about to fall down. However, without attention, the problem could become more serious. Damage is usually caused by water seepage into the foundation, floor joists, rafters or window and door headers. First you need to fix the cause of the problem (a leaky roof, for example), then repair or replace any damaged pieces.
Plumbing Defects
The most common plumbing problems include old or incompatible piping materials and faulty fixtures or waste lines. These may require simple repairs, such as replacing a fixture, or more extensive measures.
Tile, Tub and Shower Surrounds
Many leaks in the home are around
tile, tub and shower surrounds. Grout needs to be sealed and caulk should be regularly maintained.
Toilets
The wax ring where the toilet is attached to the floor is a common source of leaks. This can cause the floor to rot where the toilet is screwed down. Caulk must be checked regularly.
Water and Air “Leaks” Around Windows and Doors
This is not a structural problem, but poor caulking and weather stripping that require relatively simple and inexpensive repairs around windows and doors.
Inadequate Ventilation
Too much moisture can result from poor ventilation, wreaking havoc on interior walls and structural elements. Allergic reactions can also be triggered by stagnant air. If there are no windows, install ventilation fans in bathrooms, and regularly open all the windows in your home.
When Do I Get a Report?
Comprehensive inspection reports are available within 24-48 hours by email, followed by a professionally bound report. Printed reports will either be mailed or hand delivered. Your emailed report can be sent to you, an attorney or realtor, or anyone you designate.
In addition to the comprehensive, narrative report, we provide you with a "punch list" of items, both major and minor, giving you a guideline for possible repairs. Don't let the buyers' inspector present you with this information, possibly delaying a closing or negating a contract. 
Having your own inspection: 
So you've lived in your newly constructed home for nearly a year and your warranty is about to expire. Have Skyline Home Inspection complete a thorough review of your home. 
Comprehensive inspection reports are available within 24-48 hours by email, followed by a professionally bound report. Printed reports will either be mailed or hand delivered. Your emailed report can be sent to you, an attorney or realtor, or anyone you designate.