St. Louis Metro Home Inspector

  Buying a home? The process can be stressful. A home inspection is supposed to give you peace of mind, but often has the opposite effect. You will be asked to absorb a lot of information in a short time.

 First you should know that no house is perfect, not even a new one. This doesn't mean you won't find the house of your dreams. It does mean that when you find the house that's just what you want, you should go one step further and find out its problems or potential problems. Problems can be the result of deficiencies in construction, deterioration due to aging, or safety and fire hazards.

 My objective is not to discourage you of buying the home you have chose, it is to help reduce the "fear of unknown". Using the knowledge I have of over 20 years experience in complete home renovation and as a professional home inspector I am able to help you determine the positive and negative aspects of a home with a thorough home inspection, so you will have a much clearer picture of the present condition, as well as know the periodic maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good condition. At the conclusion of the inspection, you will be significantly more educated of the home you have chosen to purchase. 

 I will give my best effort as a licensed home inspector to protect and serve my customers in the St. Louis Metro Area by delivering a prompt, thorough and professional visual inspection of the condition of the building and components at the time of inspection for a reasonable price. I may not be the cheapest home inspector you'll find, but for much less than your real estate agents commission I will give you valuable information that they can't. The average home inspection takes 3 to 4 hours, sometimes more. This way I give full attention to your property so I am able to give you the inspection service you deserve. With a complete written narrative report covering all of the major deficiencies as well as safety and maintenance items available within 24 hours. I will do everything I can to ensure you are satisfied and confident you made the right choice.

    "I will make you this guarantee. If you will attend the inspection and be there with me, I will promise you that when it has ended...if you are not totally satisfied with the quality of the inspection, tell me before you receive your report and if I cannot make it right, your inspection will be absolutely free with no questions asked."

You can find great local Alton, Illinois real estate information on Localism.com Christopher Currins (CBC Home Inspections) is a proud member of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, a free online community to help real estate professionals grow their business.

 An average home inspection is 3 to 4 hours on site observing and recording the information needed to produce a quality narrative report loaded with digital pictures. After additional research your final report is produced back at my office. This home inspection report will include major defects, safety and maintenance items, along with recommended future upgrades of items that may not have been required at the time the house was built but are now required in modern building practices.

The primary objective of a home inspection is to provide Buyer's with important information pertaining to their prospective home and to point out any major defects before they decide to purchase a particular home. All homes will have their defects; the perfect home just does not exist.

Potential home buyer's often incorrectly view an inspection report as a mandatory repair list for the Seller. The fact is that Sellers are not required to produce a flawless house. They have no such obligation by law or by contract; therefore, most repairs are subject to negotiation between the Buyer and the Seller.

Typically, Buyer's will request that various conditions be repaired before the close of escrow, and Sellers will usually agree to some of those demands. But with most building defects, Sellers make repairs as a matter of choice, not obligation, in order to foster good will or to help accomplish the sale. Sellers can refuse any repair demands except where requirements are set forth by state law, local ordinance or the real estate purchase contract. Purchase contracts usually stipulate that safety issues be resolved, structural issues be corrected, fixtures working, windows not be broken, and that there be no leaks in the roof or plumbing.

Before Buyer's make any demands of the Seller, they should try to evaluate the inspection report with an eye toward problems of greatest significance. Look for conditions that compromise health and safety of the Buyer and their family or involve potential or active leaks in the plumbing or the roof. Most Sellers will address problems affecting crucial areas or items such as the roof, electrical, plumbing problems and big-ticket items such as the furnace, boiler, electrical issues and Wood Boring Insects. I always recommend my clients to consult with  their Realtor to help them work through an appropriate repair request list to present to the Seller.

Why Do I Need A Home Inspection?

The purchase of a home is probably the largest single investment you will ever make. You should learn as much as you can about the condition of the property and the need for any major repairs before you buy, so you can minimize unpleasant surprises and difficulties afterwords. After the inspection, you will have a much clearer understanding of the property.

If you are already a homeowner, a home inspection may be used to identify problems in the making and take preventative measures which might avoid costly repairs in the future. If you are planing to sell your home on the market, you may wish to have an inspection performed prior to placing your home on the market. This will give you a better understanding of the conditions which may be discovered by the buyer's inspector and an opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in a better selling position. Having an inspection will help you comply with current disclosure laws concerning the sale of your property.

Can I Do It Myself?

Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and years of expertise of a professional home inspector. An inspector is familiar with the elements of home construction and remains completely objective and unemotional about the home.

Can A Home Inspection Fail?

NO! A professional home inspection is an examination of the condition of the home on the day it is inspected; it is not an appraisal, which determines market value or a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance, but rather describes its visible physical condition and indicates what may need major repairs in the near future.

Do I Have To Be There?

It is not necessary for you to be present for the inspection, but it is highly recommended. You will be able to accompany the inspector and ask questions directly as you learn about the condition of the home, how its systems work and how to maintain it. You will also find the written report easier to understand if you've seen the property firsthand through the inspectors eyes.

Who Hires The Inspector?

The Client usually retains the inspector. The Inspector works for you. The report cannot be given to anyone else without your written consent.

How Much Does It Cost?

The purchase of a property will likely be the most expensive investment people will make in their lives, it doesn't make sense to shop for the least expensive inspector you can find. What is the saying, "Penny wise and Pound Foolish". That is most certainly true, in todays world, you get what you pay for. Don't be fooled by individuals whose training consists of viewing a video tape for 2 hours and then claim to be a "House Inspector" Check for "Certifications" before hiring an inspector. No Home Inspection can guarantee their won't be problems, even new homes are not perfect on the day their new owners move in.

A Certified Home Inspector can point out existing or potential problems that would require attention either by the seller or buyer. You, the buyer,save yourself from problems you never contemplated when buying the "Dream House" you wanted. You, the seller, are complying with current disclosure laws concerning the sale of your property.