Customer Reviews

The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Home Inspections

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4 star:		(2)
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This is NOT designed to make you, the homeowner or potential buyer, a home inspection expert. It takes years on the job to become a true pro.

However, this book WILL put you way ahead of the curve, prepared to make the most of the time you have with the home inspector who is generally required to do a thorough job before the home sale.

Some inspectors are better than others and if you know what to ask about basements, foundations, bathrooms, kitchen and other key areas of your home, your inspector may be more inclined to do a better job.

Also, the book contains several key bits of info including:

1. Quick little tips and info like the fact that water flow wil usually be lower from wells than municipal systems...or that gurgling pipes and drains may indicate improper venting of the drainage system.

2. Definitions of important terms which make you sound "in the know". Do you know what a "service drop" is? Reading this book, I discovered it was the line running from an electrical pole to my house. Other key terms are also noted.

3. Warnings about potentially dangerous situations. For instance, if your home inspector walks on a tile or slate roof, GET ANOTHER INSPECTOR. This is a no-no, a way to damage a roof even if it was fine before.

4. Interesting facts you might not know about such as the fact that about 1 in 10 roofs are covered in wood.

I was fascinated by the home schematic at the front of the book which described nearly every major part of a home, from the ridge boards to the collar ties.

I ordered this book because I'm in the process of purchasing a home. Yes, I'll get a certified inspector. Yes, my realtor will accompany me on the inspection. I wanted some additional knowledge prior to the inspection, so I knew what to expect (and not expect). The book is very clear in its language and makes for a quick read. My only complaint is that it lacks color pictures. With black/white photos, sometimes its hard to see the damage to which the author is referring. I'd recommend this book to someone either purchasing or selling a home.

If you have never bought a home before and never considered the aspects of a home inspection this book would be OK. I am going on home number 10 so this book was too basic. Frankly, I bought it because it was cheap and I got what I paid for. That aside, for first timers this is not a bad introduction. It does cover all the bases. My one suggestion is don't be passive in the inspection process. Take part from start to finish in the actual inspection. Ask questions. The roof is always a key area and some inspector won't go there; they should. Water and power issues are big money if problems arise so make sure they are thoroughly inspected.

This book was recommended by a real estate agent. If you are looking at buying a home, this book helps you to weed out trouble. Although it doesn't take the place of a home inspector, when you finally decide on a home, it helps you make informed decisions based on a homes condition.
I am reminded of friends buying a home, then replacing the carpet and finding out that they needed to replace the subfloor. They didn't have this book or use a building inspector before buying that home.

I do NOT recommend this book to anyone, regardless of your skill level. What I was hoping for was a legit pocket guide to aide in my inspections. I am just an everyday homeowner, and have basic understanding of mechanical and electrical systems. This book may serve somebody as an introduction to home inspections if you have absolutely no idea what goes into a house. If you are in this category, it may help you understand what a home inspector is doing. It does not help at all in completing your own preliminary inspection. To be clear, I was NOT expecting this book to teach me how to inspect a home; I was expecting it to provide a convenient reference during an inspection. I would recommend The Home Inspection Book: A Guide for Professionals by Marcia Darvin Spada, but it may be too detailed. At least it has a checklist. However, don't buy the Pocket Idiot's Guide - the first crappy Idiot's Guide I've ever bought.

I first read this from the library and liked it so much I put it on my wish list and now I have it. It's a perfect size for when you are actually looking through a house Of course you should always get an inspection done but this helps pre-eliminate unsuitable houses, which saves a lot of time and money. You really can't go wrong with buying this!

Works as advertised - simple and quick introduction to the Home inspection process for both buyers and sellers. A 'must' for someone buying a home and using a home inspector for the first time