General inspections cover all of the general elements of the home - roof, electrical, plumbing, AC, water heater, appliances, walls, floors, etc. This type of inspection is recommended for all home purchases.

An additional report that the inspector compiles after a general inspection. This report includes only the 4 major systems (roof, electrical, plumbing, & HVAC). This is provided to insurance companies so that they can verify that the major elements of the home are in good condition before they agree to insure your home.

WDO stands for Wood-Destroying Organism. This inspection looks for visible and accessible evidence of an infestation or damage to the home by wood destroying organisms (termites or moisture damage). A clean WDO report is required for VA loans.

The roof is one of the most expensive items to replace on a home, so you definitely want your realtor to check the age of the roof when you find a home that you’re interested in. Depending on the type, roofs in Florida will last around 15-30 years.

Two major components within a home are the water heater and HVAC system. These each last around 15 years, give or take depending on how well they were maintained. A good realtor will be able to determine the ages of them while touring the home, and a good inspector will test their functions during the inspection.

Due to Florida being so wet, it is very common for homes to have water damage on some of the exterior wood, usually at the bottom of doorways, trim, lower siding, or where plants or trees are touching the house. These spots would be found during the inspector’s WDO inspection.

GFCI outlets are a special kind of outlet that is installed anywhere that is within 6 feet of water, including bathrooms, kitchens, and the exterior of the house.

It is common for several windows within a home to be found with fogged glass. This happens over time as seals on the windows become compromised.

Sink clogs and minor plumbing leaks are common home happenings. It is a good idea to have the phone number of a trusted plumber. Thankfully, I know a great one.