Dear Home Buyer,
Buying a home can be stressful - I will lower your risk and give you the information you need to make a better home buying decision.
Inspections are scheduled 7 days a week at your convenience. I will educate you about your home and make maintenance suggestions saving you time and money. A long-time resident of the Fox Valley, I have a solid understanding of the area and surrounding communities. I enjoy calling it my home, along with my wife and three wonderful children.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your business.
Erik Mikkelsen
FAQs
WHAT IS A "HOME INSPECTION"
A home inspection is a visual examination of the physical structure and mechanical systems of a house. If you are thinking of buying a house, co-op or condominium, you should have it properly inspected before the final purchase by an experienced and impartial professional home inspector.
WHY DO I NEED A HOME INSPECTION?
The purchase of a house is probably the largest single investment you will ever make. You should know exactly what to expect, both indoors and out, in terms of repair and maintenance and their costs. A fresh coat of paint could be hiding serious structural problems. Water marks in the basement may indicate a chronic seepage problem or may be simply the result of a single incident. The home inspector interprets these and other clues, then presents his professional opinion as to the condition of the property before you buy, so you can avoid unpleasant surprises afterwards.
Of course, a home inspection will also point out the positive aspects of a home, as well as the type of maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape. After the inspection, you will have a much clearer understanding of what it is you are about to purchase, and you will be able to make your decision confidently.
If you have owned your home for a period of time, a home inspection can identify problems in the making and recommend preventive measures which might avoid future repairs.
WHAT DOES A HOME INSPECTION INCLUDE?
A complete home inspection includes a visual examination of the house from top to bottom. The inspector examines the heating system, the central air conditioning system, when temperature permits, the interior plumbing and electrical systems, the roof and visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement and visible structure.
CAN'T I DO IT MYSELF?
Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector who has inspected hundreds, perhaps thousands of homes in his career. An inspector is equally familiar with all the elements of home construction and with the proper installation, maintenance and interrelationships of those elements. Above all, most buyers find it very difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the house they really want, and this may lead to a poor assessment.
WHAT WILL IT COST?
The inspection fee for a typical one-family house may vary depending upon the size of the house, particular features of the house, age, other structures, etc. However, cost should not be a factor in the decision whether or not to have a home inspection. You might save many times the cost of the inspection if you are able to renegotiate the purchase price based on significant problems revealed by the inspector.
CAN A HOUSE "FAIL" INSPECTION?
No. A professional home inspection is simply an examination into the current condition of your prospective home. It is not an appraisal or a Municipal Code inspection. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but will simply describe its condition and indicate which items will be in need of immediate or near future major repair or replacement.
WHO IS A CLOSER LOOK INSPECTION?
A Closer Look Home Inspection is an independent, professional home inspection service that offers a comprehensive, confidential report of the structural and mechanical condition of the house. We are able to offer you, the buyer or seller, our experienced analysis that will provide you with an objective basis with which to look at the house you are considering buying or selling.
When you are buying or selling a home, you deserve professional expertise. We take pride in our work and offer prompt and courteous service.
WHY CHOOSE A CLOSER LOOK INSPECTION?
You've found the company with nearly a decade inspecting homes. I have personally inspected more than 3000 homes. I taught building science and home inspection for five years at Northern Essex Community College. This experience, coupled with my education in building sciences gives me an advantage when I inspect your home. We are a full-time home inspection company, flexible in our scheduling, thorough and reasonably priced. Our computer generated reports are clear and easy to understand and available the day of the inspection.
WHEN DO I CALL IN THE HOME INSPECTOR?
The best time to call in the home inspector is after you've made an offer on the house, and before you sign the contract. Or you can ask your attorney to include an inspection clause in the contract, making your purchase obligation contingent upon the findings of a professional home inspection. If you plan to sell your house, call The Building Inspector of America first to reveal any problems which may devalue your selling price.
DO I HAVE TO BE THERE?
I strongly encourage you to not only attend, but follow me and participate in your inspection. By following the home inspector around the house, by listening and asking questions, you will learn about your new home and get some tips on maintenance in general - information that will be of great help to you after you've moved in.
WHAT IF THE REPORT REVEALS PROBLEMS?
If the inspector finds fault in a house it doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't buy it, only that you will know in advance what type of repairs to anticipate. A seller may be willing to renegotiate the purchase price because of significant problems discovered in an inspection. If your budget is very tight, or if you don't want to become involved in future repair work, you may decide that this is not the house for you. The choice is yours. Conversely, if you are selling your house you may be able to repair any problems in advance of putting your house on the market.
Buying a home can be stressful - I will lower your risk and give you the information you need to make a better home buying decision.
Inspections are scheduled 7 days a week at your convenience. I will educate you about your home and make maintenance suggestions saving you time and money. A long-time resident of the Fox Valley, I have a solid understanding of the area and surrounding communities. I enjoy calling it my home, along with my wife and three wonderful children.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your business.
Erik Mikkelsen
FAQs
WHAT IS A "HOME INSPECTION"
A home inspection is a visual examination of the physical structure and mechanical systems of a house. If you are thinking of buying a house, co-op or condominium, you should have it properly inspected before the final purchase by an experienced and impartial professional home inspector.
WHY DO I NEED A HOME INSPECTION?
The purchase of a house is probably the largest single investment you will ever make. You should know exactly what to expect, both indoors and out, in terms of repair and maintenance and their costs. A fresh coat of paint could be hiding serious structural problems. Water marks in the basement may indicate a chronic seepage problem or may be simply the result of a single incident. The home inspector interprets these and other clues, then presents his professional opinion as to the condition of the property before you buy, so you can avoid unpleasant surprises afterwards.
Of course, a home inspection will also point out the positive aspects of a home, as well as the type of maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape. After the inspection, you will have a much clearer understanding of what it is you are about to purchase, and you will be able to make your decision confidently.
If you have owned your home for a period of time, a home inspection can identify problems in the making and recommend preventive measures which might avoid future repairs.
WHAT DOES A HOME INSPECTION INCLUDE?
A complete home inspection includes a visual examination of the house from top to bottom. The inspector examines the heating system, the central air conditioning system, when temperature permits, the interior plumbing and electrical systems, the roof and visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement and visible structure.
CAN'T I DO IT MYSELF?
Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector who has inspected hundreds, perhaps thousands of homes in his career. An inspector is equally familiar with all the elements of home construction and with the proper installation, maintenance and interrelationships of those elements. Above all, most buyers find it very difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the house they really want, and this may lead to a poor assessment.
WHAT WILL IT COST?
The inspection fee for a typical one-family house may vary depending upon the size of the house, particular features of the house, age, other structures, etc. However, cost should not be a factor in the decision whether or not to have a home inspection. You might save many times the cost of the inspection if you are able to renegotiate the purchase price based on significant problems revealed by the inspector.
CAN A HOUSE "FAIL" INSPECTION?
No. A professional home inspection is simply an examination into the current condition of your prospective home. It is not an appraisal or a Municipal Code inspection. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but will simply describe its condition and indicate which items will be in need of immediate or near future major repair or replacement.
WHO IS A CLOSER LOOK INSPECTION?
A Closer Look Home Inspection is an independent, professional home inspection service that offers a comprehensive, confidential report of the structural and mechanical condition of the house. We are able to offer you, the buyer or seller, our experienced analysis that will provide you with an objective basis with which to look at the house you are considering buying or selling.
When you are buying or selling a home, you deserve professional expertise. We take pride in our work and offer prompt and courteous service.
WHY CHOOSE A CLOSER LOOK INSPECTION?
You've found the company with nearly a decade inspecting homes. I have personally inspected more than 3000 homes. I taught building science and home inspection for five years at Northern Essex Community College. This experience, coupled with my education in building sciences gives me an advantage when I inspect your home. We are a full-time home inspection company, flexible in our scheduling, thorough and reasonably priced. Our computer generated reports are clear and easy to understand and available the day of the inspection.
WHEN DO I CALL IN THE HOME INSPECTOR?
The best time to call in the home inspector is after you've made an offer on the house, and before you sign the contract. Or you can ask your attorney to include an inspection clause in the contract, making your purchase obligation contingent upon the findings of a professional home inspection. If you plan to sell your house, call The Building Inspector of America first to reveal any problems which may devalue your selling price.
DO I HAVE TO BE THERE?
I strongly encourage you to not only attend, but follow me and participate in your inspection. By following the home inspector around the house, by listening and asking questions, you will learn about your new home and get some tips on maintenance in general - information that will be of great help to you after you've moved in.
WHAT IF THE REPORT REVEALS PROBLEMS?
If the inspector finds fault in a house it doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't buy it, only that you will know in advance what type of repairs to anticipate. A seller may be willing to renegotiate the purchase price because of significant problems discovered in an inspection. If your budget is very tight, or if you don't want to become involved in future repair work, you may decide that this is not the house for you. The choice is yours. Conversely, if you are selling your house you may be able to repair any problems in advance of putting your house on the market.