Foreclosure Inspections

This is a buyer's market! Don't miss out on the opportunity to find a great home. There are many opportunities and foreclosures can be a great deal. A foreclosed home, however, means buying a home "as-is." Don't expose yourself to the risk of an "as-is" purchase without a foreclosure home inspection in Virginia. A foreclosed home that seams like a great deal can be anything but a great deal if you are not aware of a failing roof, mold in the basement, etc. Don't be fooled, a home inspection on a foreclosed home is different than a typical resale home inspection. Ask for a Virginia foreclosure home inspection! Many of these homes have been vacant for months – some for years. The issues that arise from extended vacancy and gross neglect are not common in your typical resale home. A foreclosure home inspection in Virginia MUST take this into consideration to guarantee that you are protected. Any home inspector who tries to convince you that a foreclosure home inspection in Virginia is the same as any other home inspection does not have the experience necessary to protect you!  Read more about the different problems found in a foreclosed home here.

Your Virginia foreclosure home inspection will include a full inspection of the home with extra emphasis on common issues seen in foreclosed homes. Foreclosure home inspections include an inspection of the roof, gutters, downspouts, decks, electrical panel, outlets, plumbing, water heater, furnace, condenser, ductwork, disposal, counter tops, sinks, cabinets, lighting fixtures, interior doors, exterior doors, windows, hardwood flooring, ceramic flooring, vinyl flooring, toilets, bathtubs, showers, and garage door openers to name just a few. In addition, the home inspection of a foreclosed home will include an inspection for signs of vandalism and neglect as well as common issues that arise from an extended vacancy.

Home Inspections of Northern Virginia has worked with several banks in the area to help manage their foreclosed homes. This experience is invaluable when it comes to foreclosure home inspections. A more recent, and alarmingly common, situation in Virginia involves vandalism by the previous owners before moving out. This presents an entirely new set of issues during the foreclosure home inspection. Some vandalism is obvious – broken doors, broken toilets, missing light fixtures, etc. Some of the vandalism is not so obvious – drains that have been intentionally clogged, pipes that have been cut, etc. These issues are very difficult for an average home inspector to identify. Many of the foreclosed homes in Virginia are relatively new.  Cosmetically, many of these homes seem to be in great shape.  Often times, a foreclosure home inspection in Virginia reveals hidden defects that were not apparent duing a basic visual inspection.  Only a home inspector with specific knowledge and expertise with foreclosure home inspections will recognize many of the signs of intentional and hidden vandalism.

You cannot afford to miss out on the opportunities with foreclosed homes. Now, you can afford the peace of mind that comes with a full foreclosure home inspection!

Most home inspectors will ask you to ensure that the utilities are active at the time of the home inspection. Some won't mention it specifically, but will have fine print in their inspection agreements relating to the utilities. If, at the time of the inspection, the utilities are not active, these Virginia home inspectors will simply inspect the shell of the home. A home inspection without an inspection of the plumbing, electric, and HVAC doesn't include the most important and costly components of the home. What good is that?! Home Inspections of Northern Virginia offers special foreclosure home inspection services to allow for a complete home inspection.

No water? No power? No problem!! Can't get the utilities turned on? A foreclosure home inspection in Virginia is different! If the electricity is not on, your foreclosure home inspector can power the entire house with a generator to check the furnace, condenser, water heater, appliances, outlets, and lighting.

Has the water been turned off by the city? If the bank won't have the water turned on, Home Inspections of Northern Virginia can charge the air lines with a compressor to check the integrity of behind the wall plumbing.  This allows for a full home inspection without active utilities.  This service is not available from ANYONE else!

Your Foreclosure Home Inspection report will includes pictures of any concerns or observations as well as recommended repairs.