Appraisal vs. Inspection
Appraisal vs. Home Inspection. Although they appear to be the same – they serve specific purposes. The appraiser is concerned with the VALUE of the property based on a set of criteria such as the local real estate market, home’s age and features. The home inspector is more concerned with the CONDITION and FUNCTION of critical systems of the property based on standards and codes and can make recommendations for repairs.
Here are a few things the Appraiser does:
- Measures the exterior of the home taking photos of the outside including any improvements that add value such as landscaping, driveways, pools, workshops, etc.
- Notes property topography, drainage, boundaries, adjacent land uses, and potential hazardous conditions
- Lists the material and quality of construction for the home and any detaching buildings.
- Notes any damage observed such as settlement, rotting wood, broken windows, curled roof shingles, and possible termite damage
- Takes pictures of the interior of the home noting room placement, quality of construction and improvements and updating such as appliances, home entertainment, security systems, etc.
Here are some of the main components inspected by the Home Inspector:
- Walls, floors, columns, ceilings, roof structure
- Exterior walls, doors, windows, garage door operators, decks, balconies, steps, railings
- Vegetation, grading, driveways, walkways
- Eaves, soffits, and fascias
- Roof coverings, flashing, skylights, chimneys, and roof penetrations
- Drainage systems – gutters and downspout
- Interior plumbing drain, waste and venting systems
- Interior water supplies, distribution system, and fixtures
- Hot water systems
- Plumbing shut off valves
- Electrical main entrance and distribution panels
- Connected devices and fixtures
- GFCI and AFCI receptacles
- Smoke detectors
- Location of panel boxes
- Heating & Cooling equipment, operating and safety controls
- Chimney, flue, and vents
- Fireplaces
- Condensation lines
- Ceilings, Walls, Floors, Steps, Railings
- Counters and cabinets
- Doors and windows
- Insulation
- Ventilation of attics
- Venting systems and fans
- Dishwashers, ovens, ranges, disposals, and microwaves
Having a full Home Inspection done by Buy Your Side Home Inspections will take all the guesswork out of buying or selling a home. It removes the potential “surprise” factor, and with the economy as it is these days, that’s a wise action to take!
Call Tommy Joynes of Buy Your Side Home Inspections at 407.780.0911 today!
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