Don't buy a lemon.

Home inspections are said to promote the highest amount of stress for BOTH home buyers and sellers. It is a time when sellers actually find that the product they are selling is worth the price they advertised and when buyers find out that they are in fact buying a home and not a big, fat headache. Sellers must always remember that when they are selling their home they are selling it THREE times: initially to the interested Buyer, then to the inspector and finally to the appraiser.

Home sellers can minimize their stress by simply getting a pre-inspection. When a seller markets his/her home with a Realtor they should know this is prime time to differentiate from the other homes for sale in the neighborhood. One way to make sure your home stands out above the others is to do a PRE-inspection before the home is marketed For Sale. A pre-inspection will show potential buyers that your home is not only in great condition but you are willing to put it in writing. Sellers can also fix concerns that would normally come up in an inspection Before then actually become issues in a regular home inspection.

When buying a home it is in the Buyer’s best interest to request a general home inspection. A general home inspection will examine all major systems of the home including any safety hazards or major problems with a home. Issues that come up in home inspections vary from home to home. In Colorado there are some major issues that buyers should be very attentive to and here are a few:

Structural Issues

. Colorado has very expansive soils, which means potentially negative things for build structures.

Radon Gases (high levels)

. Radon is a radioactive gas found in homes all over the US—Colorado is no exception.

Mold

. Yes, it’s true! Colorado has a very dry climate but mold can be a big issue.

Roof Issues

. Different types of roofing materials exist, and upkeep and maintenance will affect the lifespan of each.

Sewer Issues

. This is helpful in newer and older homes alike. Neighborhoods with mature trees tend to be where we see the most sewer line damage.

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Keep in mind these are only a handful of issues that an inspector will look over and he may recommend that a Buyer have specific systems reviewed by specialists if need be. Inspections can be a time of increased home knowledge for buyers and sellers and should be viewed as such.

Recently,a general inspector reported a home that had abnormally high radon gas levels in the basement. This was a home my Buyers were purchasing and the current Sellers had their eldest daughter living in a basement bedroom. Once the Sellers learned of the high radon levels they had a radon mitigation system installed before an agreement was reached on other inspection items. For the most part Sellers generally want to convey a home that is and has been in good (if not better) working condition.

Inspections ensure that you are actually buying a good home rather than a big headache be sure to get an inspection and take your time when inspecting a property. As for Sellers—show that you are willing to market your home knowing that there are no major problems because a pre-inspection has already been done.