Top
of Page
The
largest single investment you will ever make will be the
purchase of a home. You should learn as much as you can
about the condition of the property and the need for any
major repairs. Our home inspectors are "house
experts". A complete assessment of the property is
recorded in a typed narrative style report. You
can minimize costly repair bills or any unpleasant
surprises after moving in. We consider our
"inspection reporting system" to be the best
there is in the industry.
What
is 'Home Protection-Plus"? Top
of Page
"Home
Protection-Plus" assures you that all visually
accessible areas are inspected. All of the electrical
and mechanical systems will be tested. All attic areas
& crawl spaces that can be safely entered will be
inspected. An inspector will climb a ladder to view a
roof not visible at grade. Items that may be needing
repair or replacement are mentioned. Maintenance items
are always discussed during the home inspection. Soil
grades at or near the house foundation and lot drainage
are always detailed. You will learn a lot about the
house if you can be present for the home inspection. The
inspectors report is your best assurance that the house
will have no major undiscovered defects. If you
have any more questions after the inspection, the home
inspector will call you back.
Can
I do it myself? Top
of Page
Even
the most knowledgeable home owners lacks the expertise
of a professional home inspector who has inspected
thousands of homes in his career. An inspector is a
highly trained professional that checks all elements of
the home. For example, questions concerning signs of
wear and roof life expectancy, structural wood frame
cracks, wet stains/or efflorescence on basement walls,
the condition and life expectancy of the heating system
are answered. You will have a clearer understanding of
the major systems of the home before leaving the
property. Our impartial third-party opinion will
objectively help you organize all the important facts
concerning the house and grounds.
Mortgage
lending institutions usually require a "Home
Inspection," a "Wood Destroying Insect
Report" and a "Radon Gas Measurement
Report" before they can deliver a mortgage.
What
if the inspector finds problems? Top
of Page
No
house is perfect. If problems are found with the
house, you will know in advance what to expect.
The seller may be flexible with the contract terms if
major problems are found. I f your budget is very
tight, this information will be extremely
important to you.

Mr. Steve Sliwka
Lead Inspector
NJ
State License GI 139 |
"As
professional home inspectors, we have no other
financial interests in the property as defined
by the ASHI
(American Society of Home Inspectors)
"Code of Ethics". We
generally do not offer repair contracts if work
needs to be done to the house. During the
home inspection, the inspector objectively
records all pertinent data that will be of use
to you and your attorney before closing in the
property. The report will be very specific
and detailed".
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Does
a Home Inspector need to be an Engineer? Top
of Page
You
do not have to be an engineer to be a good home
inspector. As a matter of fact, being an engineer
will not ensure you that a good home inspection will be
done! Performing a home inspection is a discipline
of it's own, unlike any other field of endeavor. A
home inspector's role, as being a generalist, can reveal
to you any major problems or deficiencies throughout the
home that may cost a lot to correct. Also any problems
that pose a potential health, safety, or fire hazard
will be mentioned in the report.
A
home inspection does not involve engineering analysis. Engineering
is a different type of investigation, involving
scientific measurements and mathematical calculations.
This is what is done when structural blue prints for a
new house are devised. When during the course of a
visual home inspection, evidence indicates a structural
situation that warrants serious further investigation,
an engineer or architect will be advised to be contacted
"before closing on the property". If the
situation should arise, we also have a staffed
engineer on hand who will go out and visit the site for
a "very reasonable additional fee". A
"state seal" will than accompany all
documentation submitted thereafter.
What
kind of insurance is carried? Top
of Page
Home
Inspections obtains "general liability" and
"errors and omissions" insurance from ,
the "Foundation
of Real Estate Appraisers", as a Commercial
Real Estate Inspector. FREA is one of the oldest
and most reliable carriers in the industry. They protect
both home buyers and realtors alike. Ameri-Search
presently maintains a one million dollar E&O policy.
Why
would I need a BUYER home inspection? Top
of Page
When
a family purchases a home, it is usually an exciting
period filled with hopeful dreams, but may sometimes
become disappointing after moving in to their home.
However, disappointments can be avoided when the
purchaser knows the true condition of the home they are
about to purchase, by having a home inspection. Most
people are not to be considered house experts. Because Ameri-Search
Inspectors have had expert training and experience,
a prospective home buyer is much better able to find any
problems and relate these issues to their attorney,
before closing on the property.
Why
would I need a SELLER home inspection? Top
of Page
A
homeowner needs to know how to put their property in
shape to efficiently market and sell to potential
buyers. Again most home sellers are not home experts.
Most people and a lot of contractors do not know how to
identify termite damage. Of course, most people have to
squeeze in time to maintain their homes. This is
where the home inspector comes in. A home
inspector will find things the average person would
never have thought of. A home inspection can help
you identify maintenance concerns , organize an agenda
for repair, and save you a lot of time!
This
information is helpful in several ways. A presale
inspection will eliminate last minute surprises, which
can cause the deal to fall apart. By accurately
disclosing the properties condition to potential buyers
you will more likely receive realistic offers and the
deal will close with fewer problems. Properties with
fewer unanswered questions will often sell faster.
Surprises which arise after the buyer makes an offer
often leads to delays and price renegotiations.
Almost
all homes have defects, which buyers will want the
sellers to correct prior to the close of escrow. When
you know those defects in advance you can get repair
estimates from contractors and provide that information
to the buyers. You may wish to have some of the items
repaired prior to listing the property for sale. A
defect disclosure, which is accompanied by a cost to
correct can provided by a reputable contractor.
This can defuse a potential problem before it occurs.
The unknown possible cost always appears more
threatening and risky than a known expense.
How
long does the inspection take? Top
of Page
The
length of the inspection varies according to the size of
the home and the type of services that we are providing.
In general, we recommend that you reserve 2 1/2 hours
for a general house inspection. Townhouses and
condominiums usually take between 1 1/2 to 2
hours.
Should
I be present during the inspection? Top
of Page
We
urge you to be present throughout the inspection.
You will learn first hand about the strengths and
weaknesses of your new home. We encourage our
clients to ask questions during the inspection.
Maintenance items will be discussed. Our goal is
to thoroughly inspect the property. You will find
the written report easier to understand after seeing the
property through the inspectors eyes. If for some
reason you cannot be present during the home inspection,
and there are questions or concerns, the inspector can
quickly address any concerns that you may have by
telephone.
What
does the home inspection cover? Top
of Page
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- Air
Conditioning
- Appliances
- Attic
and Insulation
- Attic
Vents
- Basement
- Bathroom
Fixtures
- Ceilings
- Chimney
- Crawl
Spaces
- Ceramic
Tile
- Decks
- Doors
- Drainage
- Driveway
- Ductwork
- Exterior
Trim
- Electrical
Service
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- Flashings
- Framing
- Fireplaces
- Firewalls
- Floor
Cover
- Foundation
- Fans
- Garage
- Gas
Pipes
- GFCI
Outlets
- Grading
- Gutters
- Heating
- Interior
Walls
- Kitchen
- Masonry
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- Patios
- Plumbing
- Railings
- Roof
Cover
- Sump
Pump
- Siding
- Stairs
and Steps
- Structure
- Switches
- Tree
Limbs
- Utility
Room
- Hot
Water Heater
- Water
Pressure
- Ventilation
- Windows
- Walkways
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