Inspections Unlimited - 715 Hope Ave NW Salem, OR 97304

Helping You Make Informed Decisions

Serving Oregon Home Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Agents with Professional Certified Inspections Since 1989

Whether you are buying or selling a home, or a conscientious homeowner looking to keep your home in top shape, a home inspection is an extremely advantageous investment to ensure the condition of your home. A home inspector's job is to visually inspect a home or building, scope out important components for damage or problems throughout, and produce a detailed summary and report of the findings. These days, a home inspection is a necessity for buyers who are considering a home for purchase or when you are preparing to sell your home. Current homeowners might also consider an inspection as part of their home maintenance routine to keep things in working order. Inspections Unlimited specializes in comprehensive and detailed home inspections to give buyers, sellers, and homeowners a complete look at their home.

But when you are getting your home inspected for the first time, what should you expect? First, it is important to understand the purpose of a home inspection. In addition to giving you an inside look at your current or future home, a home inspection can uncover damages, errors, and problems that you might not have been able to recognize yourself.  Your inspector will approach the home without the rose colored glasses or emotional attachment that could cause an bias opinion. Your Inspections Unlimited professional examines multiple areas of your home, bringing along a working knowledge of building conditions and an unbiased opinion, helping you make informed decisions (TM).

Here are some of the major areas of a home that an Inspections Unlimited inspector will examine:

  • The roof
  • Attics and basements
  • Electrical
  • Heating and cooling systems
  • Crawl spaces
  • Foundations
  • Windows and doors
  • Decks
  • Siding
  • And more

An inspection in action

Inspections Unlimited always welcomes our clients to come to the inspection! It is your opportunity to learn more about the home you are buying or maybe already own. It is also a great chance to get questions answered by a trained and knowledge professional. Though there are some areas that clients shouldn't venture into during an inspection - such as the crawl space or onto the roof - following along during your inspection might teach you a thing or two about the house that you call a home.

The routine of a home inspection is carefully planned and ensures a complete look at each area of your home. Typically a home inspection lasts about three hours, but can last longer depending on the building and property. Since 1989, Inspections Unlimited has been examining homes. Our Salem area inspector, David Shepard, shares his routine of a day-to-day home inspection to bring the process to life.

For Shepard, the inspection process starts at the curb: checking the curb, lawn, and getting a “feel” for the property as a whole. This also allows for the inspector to identify any initial structural damage, such as if the house is leaning or the roof is slumped. An inspector will also take a walk around the exterior to examine siding and other areas.

Then it’s on to the structure itself.  “I start from the top and work to the bottom,” explains Shepard. That means starting on the roof, examining the condition and looking for common problems such as leakage or broken tiles. After the roof, Shepard moves inside the house to take a closer look at the interior. He also explores accessible parts of the house's attic, checking for hanging insulation, water damage from roof leaks, and other possible problems. Inspecting the interior of the house is just important as the outside. 

“I spend over an hour identifying the home and its components,” says Shepard. This means a complete inspection of the home’s interior that includes even the smallest details - checking electrical outlets and the functions of the electrical panel, looking for leaks around toilets and showers, and the type of insulation in your home. Next, Shepard ventures into the crawl space or basement of the home, checking for damaged floors, a proper vapor barrier and other important components. He also takes the time to check that the home’s major systems, such as the heating and cooling systems, are functioning.  

This is a very basic idea of the step-by-step process of inspecting a house. Inspections Unlimited ensures a full, comprehensive inspection of your home. After an inspection is complete, clients will receive a complete report that details the inspector’s findings, specifics about your home’s condition, and identifies areas where problems and damage may have occurred.  Your inspector is always happy to show you the problem areas and explain his findings. 

The inspection report

Your Inspections Unlimited report is tailored specifically to your home and property. The report becomes a handy tool as clients prepare a home for selling or plan for repairs. Take a look at a sample Inspections Unlimited inspection report. The report lists out the different areas of your home, states the condition that the inspector observed, and provides a detailed explanation. Just like the sample report, your own home inspection report will list possible areas of repair, such as damaged gutters or cracks in the foundation. You will also find specifics on your home, such as the type of insulation installed or roofing material, and much more. It is a valuable document to keep on file for future reference. 

 The importance of a home inspection

The first time you have your house inspected, remember that you are taking an important step in ensuring a quality home whether you are buying, selling, or currently own your home. An inspection can help you feel comfortable and reassured about the condition of your home. It can also assist in planning a budget for home maintenance and repair, since your detailed inspection report will tell you exactly what should be repaired. You can think of a home inspection as one more tool to help you keep your home in good condition and a comfortable place to live.

Your Inspection Unlimited inspector comes trained and ready to help you identify problems and can set you on the path to finding solutions. Since Inspections Unlimited offers personalized services, including full home inspections, wood-destroying organism inspections, roof conditions, flow testing, and more, we offer the flexibility and support you need to get the most out of your home inspection.