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When buying a home in Pensacola, FL you will most likely be told by your realtor agent to get a home inspection. After the inspection, you'll get the report with issues or problems found by the inspector. Some of these problems could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars but, this is the home you really want, no matter what. There's only one thing left to do. Negotiate! Some sales may have a repair cost allowance and some home may be an "AS-IS" sale because the seller doesn't have the extra money to do the repairs. In this case you could negotiate the sale price to help cover the cost of repairs. Some sellers are willing to do this because the house may have been on the market for a long period of time or they need to rush the sale because of unforeseen circumstances.
Here are several ways you can negotiate repairs:

1. Ask the seller to drop the asking price
2. Ask the seller to pay for some repairs and drop the asking price
3. Ask the seller to pay for all the repairs
4. Ask the seller to pay for major repairs
5. Ask the seller to pay for minor repairs

The seller may not agree to any of these listed above but, you will need to decide what is in your best interests. 

Preparing for a home inspection for a home you bought in Navarre, FL or surrounding community is essential. Home inspections are limited and non-evasive which means our SOP (standard of practice) requires us to NOT to move anything. It's a liability in the inspection industry. So, I've compiled a few tips for you to prepare for a home inspection before the inspector arrives.

1. If the home is occupied, move furniture and/or items like boxes away from walls so any defects or electrical outlets can be accessible.
2. Clear out any items under kitchen and bathroom sinks so the plumbing can be visible.
3. Move any items that could block the water heater from being accessible.
4. Clear away items that could block any electrical panels.
5. Move furniture blocking windows from being accessible.
6. Items along the walls in a garage should be moved.
7. Items that could block the attic access.
8. Vehicles in the driveway should be moved.
9. Items that could prevent access into a room.
10. Make sure all utilities are turned on before the inspection.

Any of these listed above are important. This helps the inspection process go smoothly.

Choosing the right home inspector in Gulf Breeze, FL and surrounding areas can be difficult. There seems to be so many out there but finding the right one can mean the difference between finding issues associated with the home you're trying to purchase. Many inspection companies describe themselves in similar ways which makes it hard for people to pick which one they want to hire. Some inspectors are thought to be in "cahoots" with the realtor agent because the realtor referred them to the client and then the client finds issues that could've easily been seen by the inspector after moving in. 

J. Gregory Home Inspections is unbiased and honest. We do not work for realtor agents. We work for our clients. This is what sets us out from the others. Buying a home is one of the most important investments in life and our clients deserve to know what's wrong with the home they're buying. 

We like for our clients to be present for the inspection (unlike most inspectors) so they can ask questions or the inspector can explain to the client what he has found. Many issues found during an inspection can be hard for the client to figure out the severity of the problem and this is what we're for.

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​While performing home inspections and 4 Point Inspections in and around Pensacola, FL the biggest problem I find with home inspection issues are, the total lack of past home maintenance. This is a problem, a BIG problem especially if you plan on the resale of your home in the future.  I think the reason for the lack of home maintenance is simply because the homeowner doesn't realize how important it really is. People believe a home will maintain it's itself but in reality it will not. Iv'e made a list of items found within a home that should be prioritized annually. Here they are:

1. Roof; the roof is one of the most important components of a home to keep maintained. It helps keep water out of the home. If water gets inside of the home, you'll be paying for a lot more than just a roof. But, a new roof is expensive right? Even if you notice a leak, this doesn't mean you need a new roof. Maybe a simple repair is all that's needed. Always hire a roofing contractor to do repairs. NEVER do roof repairs yourself. You don't want to risk getting hurt.                                                  
   
2. Exterior Siding; This is just as important as the roof. It keeps out water, wind, dirt, insects, etc...Most brick homes maintain themselves but wood, vinyl, cement board, and paint need some TLC from time to time. Wood can rot from excessive moister or from wood destroying organisms. Vinyl can dry rot from excessive years in the sun. Paint chips or peels, exposing unprotected siding material.                                           
3. Windows; Just like siding and the roof, it helps protect from outside elements. Seals around windows can dry rot after many years causing moisture to enter between double pane window panels, making it look fogged. This is a good way to loose energy efficiency.
4. Plumbing; look periodically for leaks under bathroom and kitchen sinks and in the laundry room behind the washer or around visible plumbing around the water heater. If leaks are not repaired you could be looking at expensive repairs in the future.
5. Electrical; listen for a weird buzzing or popping noises coming from the electrical panel or noises coming from light fixtures when turning them on or off.
6. Tree Limbs; branches overhanging the roof could eventually damage the roofing material or siding.

Always have a licensed contractor preform any maintenance on your home. Never do this on your own to prevent injuring yourself of others.