There are a number of benefits to having a thermal imaging/infrared scan done as part of your home inspection. The primary benefit is that it can find issues that would otherwise be impossible to see. Because infrared imaging can detect temperature differences within walls, it can help the home inspector detect all kinds of problems that could be invisible to spot. Let’s take a look at what a thermal imaging scan can find in a home inspection:

1. Roof issues – Thermal imaging can see roof leaks, missing insulation and even some forms of structural damage related to the roof of the home.

2. Mold – Mold is a serious issue, particularly given the humid climate we have in the Myrtle Beach area. Mold can grow within walls undetected for a significant period of time. An infrared scan can pick up temperature differences that indicate moisture where there shouldn’t be moisture – which can sometimes lead to the discovery of mold growth.

3. Missing insulation – Even in new construction homes, things can get overlooked or missed. Infrared or thermal imaging can find and detect areas where insulation is missing or has come loose or fallen out in attics but also where insulation was missed in the general walls of the home as well.

4. Damaged framing – Damaged framing is a structural issue that can cause serious safety issues in a home. Because infrared technology can detect the temperatures within walls, it can often find damaged framing based on temperature differences that highlight the interior structure behind the walls.

5. Pest infestations – From mice to insects, pest infestations can be a serious problem for any home sale. Mice and groups of insects such as bees or wasps give off heat within the walls or under the siding of a home. This heat signature can help a home inspector detect and find many types of pest infestations.

6. Plumbing leaks – Plumbing leaks that happen inside walls often start small and go undetected for some time before they are significant enough to be visible from the other side. Thermal imaging picks up the temperature difference of the moisture from the plumbing leak and helps the inspector find the leak before it becomes a major problem for the new homeowner down the line.

7. Electrical issues – Faulty electrical wiring, overheating circuits and other electrical issues show up as hot spots on the thermal imaging scan. This helps the inspector find and pinpoint any areas of the electrical system that are faulty and dangerous but hidden within walls where they could eventually cause a fire.

With all of the potential problems and issues a thermal imaging or infrared scan can find during a home inspection, it just makes sense to choose a home inspector that provides this service. Bridgewater Homewatch performs a thermal imaging scan as part of every inspection at no extra cost to you. Thermal imaging gives you the most thorough information about the home you are planning to buy and saves you from serious issues down the line.

If you’re in the process of buying a home, you might be wondering how the home inspection is going to go with all of the social distancing measures in place currently. There are precautions you and your home inspector can take to reduce the possibility of transmitting COVID or any other germ. You can also opt for a virtual inspection. A virtual inspection can be done in a few different ways. The main thing to remember is if you feel ill, don’t do an in-person inspection as you will put the inspector and the family living in the home at risk for catching an illness.

In-Person Inspection

Some in-person inspections are still happening but with an abundance of caution. If you do have an in-person inspection scheduled, there are things you should do to protect yourself and others (and so should the inspector).

1. Wash your hands before the inspection and again as soon as you leave or use hand sanitizer (though washing your hands kills more germs than sanitizer).
2. Wear a face mask. Put your mask on in your car and secure properly and don’t remove it until you are back in your car.
3. Wear gloves. When you leave, peel the gloves off inside out and dispose of properly.
4. Wear shoe covers. Slip on shoe covers before coming inside the front door and wear them until you leave. Germs can live on the bottom of shoes for up to five days.

Virtual Inspection

With the restrictions and social distancing for COVID, many inspectors have switched to virtual inspections. There are two main methods inspectors are using for virtual inspections. In either case, you always want to make sure to thoroughly read the inspector’s report and ask any questions you have. Here are the two methods of virtual inspections most inspectors are using.

1. Video-taped inspection – Some inspectors are video-taping portions of their inspections and providing the buyer with the video footage afterward when they send the inspection report.

2. Video chat inspection – Many inspectors are using various video chat apps to show buyers about their new home in real time. This allows the inspector to answer questions as you go and in many cases, the video chat can be recorded also (not all apps have a record function). Some popular ways inspectors and buyers are engaging in a home inspection are iPhone FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Zoom, Skype and Google Duo.

If you are in progress of buying a home, you want to ensure you work with a home inspector that has your needs and safety precautions in mind. Even with masks, gloves and shoe covers, many people are not comfortable doing an in-person inspection. Your inspector should be flexible and able to work with you in whichever way is most comfortable for you during this difficult time.

It’s not hard to get carried away by excitement when you finally find the home you’ve been dreaming of or to want to rush things along. However, no matter the situation, you should ALWAYS get a home inspection. Whether the home is a new build or a 100-year-old historic home or somewhere in between, it’s important to never waive your home inspection. Here are the key reasons you should always have a home inspection:

1. Know what you are buying – Your home inspector provides so much detailed information about your home, this one is a no-brainer. Having the home inspection gives you a clear and impartial assessment of the home before you buy it so you know exactly what you are buying – good, bad, problems and perks. Your home is your biggest investment so make sure you protect yourself by having an inspection done before you close the deal.

2. Saves you money – While $300-$500 for a home inspection sounds like a lot, if you don’t have a home inspection and the home has problems, typically fixing those problems will be a whole lot more expensive. When you know about a problem before the sale is completed, you can negotiate with the seller to have the issue fixed or have concessions written into your contract. If there is a major problem with the structure, plumbing or electric, those are a lot more expensive than the home inspection. So, having the home inspection saves you serious money down the road on major problems.

3. See beyond the surface – A home can look great on the surface but have a lot of hidden problems. A fresh coat of paint and some new flooring can put a pretty face over major problems. Your home inspector can look beyond the surface and find the problems that aren’t as readily apparent to the buyer. They have the experience to test and check every system in the home to ensure what you see is what you get.

4. Seller repairs and negotiating power – Your home inspection gives you negotiating power if a problem is found. The seller can’t argue it if it’s in your inspection report as an issue. The seller will have to repair the problem or provide concessions for that issue. Either way, it gives you, as the buyer, the negotiating power to get any problems rectified before the completion of the sale. Even if the home is a new build and the seller is the builder, you will still be able to negotiate getting any issues fixed or resolved before the transaction proceeds.

When you find the home of your dreams, it’s understandable to want to get the paperwork done and over with so you can move in as soon as possible. Keep in mind that your home inspection is a crucial step in the process that should never be waived. There are a number of key reasons to ALWAYS have a home inspection, including saving you money, helping you see beyond the surface, knowing what you’re buying and giving you the power to negotiate for seller repairs for any problem that is found. If you skip your home inspection, your dream house could come with nightmare expenses and repairs that could have been fixed before the sale completed.

Home inspectors not only identify problems with a property, they also provide the buyer with crucial information that can help with the home’s upkeep. Home inspectors aim to give you all the information they possibly can about the home you’re buying, this includes any info they can provide on maintaining the home because for most people, buying a home is the biggest investment you’ll ever make. Get the most out of your home inspection by avoiding these top home inspection mistakes many buyers and sellers make.

Seller Mistakes

You might be wondering what kinds of mistakes a seller would make when it comes to home inspections. Aren’t most home inspections done for buyers? Well, yes and no, which brings us to mistake number one.

1. Not getting a pre-sale inspection – Many sellers believe they already know everything there is to know about the home they’re selling and often skip a pre-sale home inspection. A pre-sale home inspection helps the seller by uncovering any problems they haven’t yet discovered. It also gives them a chance to fix those problems before listing the property. When a seller forgoes the pre-sale inspection, they could encounter serious surprises during the buyer’s inspection.

2. Not preparing for the inspection – It’s important for the seller to prepare for the home inspection by moving items out of the way of key access areas for the inspector such as the attic access, electrical panel and HVAC access. Sellers should also remove or restrain pets during inspections. Finally, the seller should make sure to leave keys for any locked areas such as sheds, rooms, storage areas or closets.

Buyer Mistakes

Buyers can also make mistakes when it comes to the home inspection. Here are a few of the top mistakes buyers make.

1. Not choosing a qualified inspector – Many buyers just go with whomever is recommended by one of the agents instead of doing their homework and due diligence to choose an experienced and qualified inspector. The buyer should ideally find an inspector with several years experience in and around construction who is licensed in their state and follows the standards of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). It’s also important to choose someone who keeps current with the latest regulations and education.

2. Not attending the inspection – Attending the inspection is crucial for the buyer. The inspector can show the buyer any flaws or problems found as well as give them valuable information about the home they’re buying. This information includes where shut-off valves are, maintenance and upkeep advice and details about the condition of the home.

3. Not reviewing the inspector’s report – Just like not attending the inspection is a crucial mistake, so too is not reviewing the inspection report. The inspection report contains detailed information about every problem and every flaw and often has information about maintenance and appliances and other components of the home compiled in one handy report.

Buyers and sellers often make some major mistakes up to and during a home sale transaction, from not getting a pre-sale inspection to not attending the inspection before they buy the home. It’s important not to waste the money you spend on an inspection with these mistakes. Be there, review everything, prepare for the inspection and choose a qualified and experienced inspector.

Even in a seller’s market, you always want to put your listing’s best foot forward when selling your home. This can affect the home’s value and ultimate sale price. Let’s take a look at the 12 best tips for selling your home.

1. Get a good real estate agent. A great real estate agent will handle so much of the paperwork and process for you, it’s really a no-brainer to have a listing agent represent you. They have the right connections, network, marketing and resources to sell your home for top dollar in the shortest amount of time.

2. Have a pre-listing home inspection. Not only will this inspection clue you in to possible fixes that need to be made but also give you peace of mind that there will be no surprises when a potential buyer has their home inspection done.

3. Declutter and then declutter some more. You want to keep your home tidy and easy to keep clean for showings. Clutter also detracts from the good features of your home and is distracting to buyers.

4. Have a professional deep cleaning before you begin showing your home. This will get your home gleaming clean for showings and you can just maintain the clean easily afterward.

5. Pay attention to curb appeal. Your outdoor appearance can prevent a buyer from even bothering to come in the front door! Make sure your landscaping is clean and clutter-free and you have a nice, clean and inviting entryway to entice buyers to come in.

6. Keep odors away. Whether the odors are pet odors, food odors or trash odors, take care of them and get everything smelling pristine before you have any showings in your home.

7. Work your lighting. Make sure your home is nice and bright. Open curtains for as much natural light as possible and make sure to use indoor lighting to accentuate every inch of space and make your home feel large and spacious.

8. Go with a coat of paint. If needed, paint your home using neutral colors that are light and inviting.

9. Complete all small repairs before you begin showing the home. A home with obvious repairs needed can leave a potential buyer wondering what else is wrong with the home.

10. Focus on the kitchen. If you have to use some budget for updating your home aside from painting, that budget is generally best spent in the kitchen. The kitchen is the hub of the home and can make or break a home sale. Take care of any updates or upgrades before you list the home.

11. Get organized. Organize contents in drawers, cabinets, closets and throughout the house. The more organized a home is, the more spacious and appealing it feels for buyers.

12. Remove pets for showings, if possible. While this might be less possible with cats, definitely take your dog with you when you leave the home to allow a showing. It will make the potential buyer feel more comfortable and at home.

Selling your home is a big deal. You want to get top dollar for your listing. We’ve put together this handy list of the 12 best tips for selling your home to help you do just that. And when you’re ready for your pre-listing home inspection, be sure to call Bridgewater Homewatch at 843.903.HOME.