Home Inspections for Buyers
It pays to get an inspection first.
Just ask your loan officer, your real estate agent, or your friends. It makes sense to find out as
much as you can about a house before you buy. Your home inspection may help you avoid costly
surprises down the road. You'll also learn how to care for your house and avoid unnecessary
repairs.
With Apple Home Inspections, you'll always receive:
It pays to get an inspection first.
Just ask your loan officer, your real estate agent, or your friends. It makes sense to find out as
much as you can about a house before you buy. Your home inspection may help you avoid costly
surprises down the road. You'll also learn how to care for your house and avoid unnecessary
repairs.
With Apple Home Inspections, you'll always receive:
- A home inspection report that documents hundreds of items, yet is easy to read and
reference later
- An additional Photo Report with photos of key findings
- A checklist for your pre-closing walkthrough
- Support for follow-up questions after your inspection
Your Apple Home Inspection covers:
Structure
We access crawlspaces and attics to observe conditions, including
signs of moisture. We examine floor structures, walls, columns, beams,
roof construction and sheathing.
Roofing
We walk the roof (when safe), inspect it from a ladder, or use binoculars
to report on roof coverings, chimneys, flashings, skylights, flue pipes,
ventilation, gutters, and downspouts.
Electrical
We inspect service entrance wires, service equipment, grounding
equipment, main panels and distribution panels. We test a
representative number of lighting fixtures and outlets, including all
inside and outside GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets.
Plumbing
We inspect the interior water supply and distribution system including
pipe materials, fixtures, faucets, adequate water flow, and leaks. We
inspect drain systems including traps, waste, and vent piping. We check
the hot water heater, its controls and operation.
Heating
The heating system inspection includes the furnace or boiler, controls,
fuel lines, chimneys, flues, vents, fans, ducts, pumps, piping, insulation,
air filters, registers, and radiators. We operate the systems using
normal operating controls.
Central Air Conditioning
We operate the system (weather permitting) and observe cooling and
air handling equipment. We check fans, pumps, ducts and piping,
insulation, air filters and registers.
Insulation and Ventilation
We access attics and crawlspaces to examine both the insulation and
ventilation. We examine kitchen, bathroom, and laundry venting systems.
Interior
We inspect walls, ceilings, floors, stairways, railings, and fireplaces. We
operate a representative number of doors and windows.
Exterior
We examine the siding, trim, and operate entry doors and observe
window condition. We inspect decks, balconies, stoops, walks, patios,
grading, and drainage issues.
Garage
We operate the doors and test the safety reverse features on door
openers. We inspect foundations, floors, walls, fire-rated systems, the
roof, and wiring.
Structure
We access crawlspaces and attics to observe conditions, including
signs of moisture. We examine floor structures, walls, columns, beams,
roof construction and sheathing.
Roofing
We walk the roof (when safe), inspect it from a ladder, or use binoculars
to report on roof coverings, chimneys, flashings, skylights, flue pipes,
ventilation, gutters, and downspouts.
Electrical
We inspect service entrance wires, service equipment, grounding
equipment, main panels and distribution panels. We test a
representative number of lighting fixtures and outlets, including all
inside and outside GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets.
Plumbing
We inspect the interior water supply and distribution system including
pipe materials, fixtures, faucets, adequate water flow, and leaks. We
inspect drain systems including traps, waste, and vent piping. We check
the hot water heater, its controls and operation.
Heating
The heating system inspection includes the furnace or boiler, controls,
fuel lines, chimneys, flues, vents, fans, ducts, pumps, piping, insulation,
air filters, registers, and radiators. We operate the systems using
normal operating controls.
Central Air Conditioning
We operate the system (weather permitting) and observe cooling and
air handling equipment. We check fans, pumps, ducts and piping,
insulation, air filters and registers.
Insulation and Ventilation
We access attics and crawlspaces to examine both the insulation and
ventilation. We examine kitchen, bathroom, and laundry venting systems.
Interior
We inspect walls, ceilings, floors, stairways, railings, and fireplaces. We
operate a representative number of doors and windows.
Exterior
We examine the siding, trim, and operate entry doors and observe
window condition. We inspect decks, balconies, stoops, walks, patios,
grading, and drainage issues.
Garage
We operate the doors and test the safety reverse features on door
openers. We inspect foundations, floors, walls, fire-rated systems, the
roof, and wiring.
Frequently asked questions about home
inspections
What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a visual examination of all the systems and parts
of a house. It's like giving your house a physical. If problems are found
(or potential problems), we will often recommend further action to
remedy the situation.
Our goal is to educate you about the condition of the house, relative to
its age and to other houses of similar age. You can then make an
informed buying decision.
Why do I need a home inspection?
It makes sense to find out as much as you can about a house before
you buy it. Your inspection will help you avoid costly surprises down the
road. We'll also advise you about maintenance so you can preserve
your home's value.
Why can't I do the inspection myself?
Even if you're very familiar with home construction, you won't have the
knowledge, training, and experience of a full-time home inspector. Also,
an inspector is impartial. If you're buying (or selling) a house, you'll be
emotionally involved in the outcome. A home inspection provides an
unbiased, objective report of the facts.
Do I need to be there?
We strongly recommend that you attend a walkthrough inspection after
we've been on site for a few hours. The walkthrough will take from one
to two hours. It's a valuable learning experience and will help you get
the most out of your inspection. You'll understand the house a lot better
if you view it with us at the property.
How long does it take?
A typical property (under 2000 square feet) takes roughly three hours to
inspect. You'll be asked to arrive after we've been on site for a few
hours. Be aware that sometimes an inspection may take longer. Larger
homes, or homes in poor condition, may take more time. We take as
much time as necessary to do a thorough inspection for you.
What if I'm SELLING my home?
If you're selling your home, a pre-listing inspection will alert you to any
problems that might be uncovered later by the buyer's inspector.
Finding problems early lets you take care of them before you list,
making for a faster and smoother sale. You may also be required to get
a Truth in Housing or Time of Sale inspection, depending on what city
you live in. See the Truth in Housing pages for more info.
What happens during the inspection?
We'll point out our findings, show you the photos we've taken, and
answer your questions. Let us know about any special concerns you
may have.
What are your qualifications?
What if you find problems?
No house is perfect. Most homes have items that need attention or
repair. If major problems are discovered, you may want to negotiate
repairs with the seller before closing the deal. Or perhaps the seller will
lower the price, or offer better terms. In any case, knowing about
potential problems in advance will allow you to make better decisions.
What are your most frequently found defects?
Evidence of water intrusion is very common, especially in basements.
Most attics also show evidence of water intrusion. Most homes have
some electrical defects. These defects are sometimes age-related but
are often caused by "do-it-yourself" repairs.
Will you fix the problems you find during the inspection?
No. Our professional code of ethics prohibits us from doing repair work
on properties we inspect. This eliminates any conflict of interest. We'll
provide an unbiased, third party report on the condition of the house.
What else DON'T you do?
We don't see things that aren't visible, and we don't predict the future
performance of items. We don't find every minor defect in a house, as
this would take much longer than three or four hours.
A home inspection is a visual, performance-based inspection. In other
words, we determine if the system or component is doing what it's
supposed to do.
If the house turns out to be in good condition, did I really
need an inspection?
Yes. Now you can buy with confidence. You'll have learned a lot about
your new home, and you'll want to keep that information for future
reference.
inspections
What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a visual examination of all the systems and parts
of a house. It's like giving your house a physical. If problems are found
(or potential problems), we will often recommend further action to
remedy the situation.
Our goal is to educate you about the condition of the house, relative to
its age and to other houses of similar age. You can then make an
informed buying decision.
Why do I need a home inspection?
It makes sense to find out as much as you can about a house before
you buy it. Your inspection will help you avoid costly surprises down the
road. We'll also advise you about maintenance so you can preserve
your home's value.
Why can't I do the inspection myself?
Even if you're very familiar with home construction, you won't have the
knowledge, training, and experience of a full-time home inspector. Also,
an inspector is impartial. If you're buying (or selling) a house, you'll be
emotionally involved in the outcome. A home inspection provides an
unbiased, objective report of the facts.
Do I need to be there?
We strongly recommend that you attend a walkthrough inspection after
we've been on site for a few hours. The walkthrough will take from one
to two hours. It's a valuable learning experience and will help you get
the most out of your inspection. You'll understand the house a lot better
if you view it with us at the property.
How long does it take?
A typical property (under 2000 square feet) takes roughly three hours to
inspect. You'll be asked to arrive after we've been on site for a few
hours. Be aware that sometimes an inspection may take longer. Larger
homes, or homes in poor condition, may take more time. We take as
much time as necessary to do a thorough inspection for you.
What if I'm SELLING my home?
If you're selling your home, a pre-listing inspection will alert you to any
problems that might be uncovered later by the buyer's inspector.
Finding problems early lets you take care of them before you list,
making for a faster and smoother sale. You may also be required to get
a Truth in Housing or Time of Sale inspection, depending on what city
you live in. See the Truth in Housing pages for more info.
What happens during the inspection?
We'll point out our findings, show you the photos we've taken, and
answer your questions. Let us know about any special concerns you
may have.
What are your qualifications?
- Minnesota State Building Official certification for one- and two-
family homes. This is the closest thing Minnesota has to
statewide certification for home inspectors.
- Licensed for Truth in Housing and Time of Sale inspections in
all cities that license independent inspectors: Minneapolis, St.
Paul, Bloomington, Maplewood, South St. Paul, Robbinsdale,
and Hopkins.
- Regular participation in advanced training and education. We
also have access to a nationwide network of other inspectors
through professional forums.
- Active in professional organizations including the Minnesota
Society of Housing Inspectors (MSHI).
What if you find problems?
No house is perfect. Most homes have items that need attention or
repair. If major problems are discovered, you may want to negotiate
repairs with the seller before closing the deal. Or perhaps the seller will
lower the price, or offer better terms. In any case, knowing about
potential problems in advance will allow you to make better decisions.
What are your most frequently found defects?
Evidence of water intrusion is very common, especially in basements.
Most attics also show evidence of water intrusion. Most homes have
some electrical defects. These defects are sometimes age-related but
are often caused by "do-it-yourself" repairs.
Will you fix the problems you find during the inspection?
No. Our professional code of ethics prohibits us from doing repair work
on properties we inspect. This eliminates any conflict of interest. We'll
provide an unbiased, third party report on the condition of the house.
What else DON'T you do?
We don't see things that aren't visible, and we don't predict the future
performance of items. We don't find every minor defect in a house, as
this would take much longer than three or four hours.
A home inspection is a visual, performance-based inspection. In other
words, we determine if the system or component is doing what it's
supposed to do.
If the house turns out to be in good condition, did I really
need an inspection?
Yes. Now you can buy with confidence. You'll have learned a lot about
your new home, and you'll want to keep that information for future
reference.
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Minneapolis
St. Paul
Bloomington
Maplewood
South St. Paul
Robbinsdale
Hopkins
West St. Paul
South St. Paul
Little Canada
St. Paul
Bloomington
Maplewood
South St. Paul
Robbinsdale
Hopkins
West St. Paul
South St. Paul
Little Canada
| We provide Minneapolis Truth in Housing inspections, St. Paul Truth in Housing inspections, Maplewood Truth in Housing, Bloomington Time of Sale, South St. Paul Time of Sale, Robbinsdale Point of Sale, and Hopkins Truth-in-Housing inspections and reports. We also provide pre-purchase home inspections for buyers, West St. Paul rental inspections, South St. Paul rental inspections, and Little Canada rental inspections. © Copyright 2012 Apple Home Inspections Inc. All rights reserved. |