ASHI Northern New England Chapter
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HOME INSPECTORS
Why Hire an ASHI Inspector?
Only an ASHI inspector can provide your customers with a professional, personalized inspection that combines more than 30 years of the highest technical standards, adherence to a strict code of ethics and the very best in customer service and education. We call this "The ASHI Experience." When you choose ASHI, you’ll be working with professional home inspectors who have passed the most rigorous technical examinations in effect today, including inspectors who are required to perform more than 250 professional inspections before they’re even allowed to call themselves "Certified." No other professional society can match the credentials of an ASHI inspector. Make sure you obtain an inspection that is valuable, informative, and educational.
Always use ASHI NNEC inspectors!
It is hard to think of a step in the home buying process more important than the home inspection. Like figuring out what you can afford and getting preapproved for a mortgage, a home inspection can alert you to any potential issues, saving you from headaches and heartbreak down the road.
Here are answers to some common home inspection questions.
It can be hard to spot many issues during an open house or a showing. Some problems - like radon gas - are invisible. Even if you did have an extended period of time to look through a house, it's unlikely you could match the experience of a professional home inspector. Getting a home inspected before you close your mortgage can help you identify problems that may alter your interest in a property.
Warped or missing roof shingles can be a bad sign. A leaky roof can lead to big problems and costly repairs.
Noxious odors are never a good thing. Take a whiff in each room, especially the basement, to see if anything catches your nose. A musty smell in the cellar may indicate water issues. Be wary of suspiciously placed fans, which may be masking unwanted aromas.
Water damage inside the walls can be hard to see, but you can spot signs of damage if you look closely. Bring discolored or warped drop ceiling tiles or floorboards.
Take a good look at the ceiling in every room and take note of any cracks. They could be serious structural issues - or just harmless cosmetic imperfections. Either way, it's worth checking it out.
Loose handrails and cracked steps aren't just safety concerns - they can be liabilities. Take a good look at every step inside and outside the house. Use the handrails as you do to see if they wobble.
Navigating post-inspection negotiations is one reason buyers hire real estate agents. Agents - on your behalf - can ask sellers to address issues or offer credits to fix issues after closing.
Pest problems can fall outside an inspector's purview, as can septic issues, according to the National Association of Realtors. Buyers should consider hiring these specialized professional before finalizing the purchase.
Safety concerns should be at the top of your list. High levels of radon can contribute to lung caner, according to the American Cancer Society. If a home has high radon levels and the seller refuses to re-mediate the issue, you should consider walking away if you aren't prepared for additional expenses and risk.
The Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation program is one option, especially for buyers looking to address common issues like roof repairs of heating system upgrades. Qualified buyers can get into the program for as little as 3 percent down.