No matter what kind of property you are buying or selling, having a professional home and property inspection completed is an important task. Although the homeowners have likely been living in the home for many years, they may not have noticed some of the obvious (and potentially costly) issues that have developed over time. That is where the home inspection comes into play.
Home Inspections Give Peace of Mind
As a home seller, you want to have the property inspection completed for not only peace of mind that your home is in good shape to sell but also that potential home buyers will see a passing inspection and be more likely to consider buying a home. Without the home inspection, home buyers may not feel comfortable investing thousands of dollars into your home for sale. They may wonder what is wrong with it if there is not a passing inspection on file.
For the home buyer, you want to make sure that you are not buying a home that will end up needing significant repairs and renovations just to be livable. Unless you are looking for a fixer-upper property, the home inspection will give you the assurance that you will not need to make serious repairs and alterations to the home just to move in.
Why Are Florida Waterfront Property Inspections Important?
When it comes to Florida waterfront property, the need for a professional inspection is even more important. There are additional items that the home inspector will need to examine on a lakefront property that would not otherwise be applicable to a normal home inspection.
Waterfront property is likely to be more expensive than properties that only have a water view, and certainly more expensive than those with no water around them at all! With such a major investment, spending the few hundred dollars required for the home inspection seems like a minor inconvenience that could save you thousands of dollars in the long run.
Not only will your home be inspected but also the area around the waterfront, including any docks, piers, and other structures on the property. With a thorough and passing inspection out of the way, you will know that the property you intend to buy or sell is in tip-top shape.
What Will the Florida Waterfront Home Inspector Be Looking for During the Inspection Process?
On the day of the actual inspection, it is good to know exactly what the inspector will be looking at as he makes his way throughout the home and property. There are 10 key areas set down in the Standards of Practice of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). These include:
- Structure
- Roofing
- Exterior
- AC
- Heating
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Insulation/Ventilation
- Fireplace
- Interior
In addition to those items listed above, the Florida lakefront property home inspection will also include boat docks, piers, supporting beams, support flotation devices, cables, and any other structures on the property.
Your Florida waterfront property inspector will be looking for:
- Signs of moisture damage (especially mold and mildew)
- Pest problems such as termites
- Foundation issues that have been exacerbated by consistent moisture
- Electrical wiring that is not up to code
- Joists and joist hangers designed to secure decks, porches, and landings
- Adherence to local codes
- Erosion due to storms if the proper set-backs have not been installed
These are all serious issues that will be a part of your Florida lakefront property inspection, so it is imperative that you ensure your property will pass when the inspector comes to visit.
A normal home inspection can last anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, depending on the size of the home. With the addition of the Florida lakefront area, you can add a significant amount of time to that estimate.
The Best Ways to Pass Your Florida Waterfront Home and Property Inspection
One of the best ways to prepare for the Florida waterfront home inspection is to give yourself an unofficial pre-inspection on your own. You know that the inspector will be looking at the ins and outs of your home, so be sure to do a thorough cleaning prior to his arrival. You may also want to consider making minor repairs and replacements of anything that may be flagged such as worn carpeting or old air filters.
As far as the waterfront portion of the home inspection is concerned, it is still recommended that you pre-inspect these areas. In particular, look for signs of water or moisture intrusion and damage. If you spot mold, mildew, or damage in your basement or crawl space, that will need to be addressed. Foundation issues and electrical wiring concerns are also major points to inspect in and around your home and property. Before you schedule and pay for the inspection, be sure these types of problems have already been addressed by experts in the field.
Contact Us to Learn More about Passing a Florida Waterfront Inspection
If you are interested in buying or selling a Florida waterfront property and need to have an inspection completed, our real estate agents at Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty – Florida Waterfront are here to help. We have helped many home buyers and home sellers work through the home inspection process and will ensure you know what to expect.
For more information on the Florida waterfront property inspection or to begin the home buying or home selling journey with us, give us a call at 407-307-2617. You can also fill out the form below with the requested information, and you will be sent a response from an expert as soon as possible.
Our team is ready to make your Florida waterfront property dreams a reality!