Home Inspection Denton TX – Older House

Need a home inspection in Denton TX?
older-home-inspection-dentonHere’s why people choose Advanced Inspection Service:

  • TREC-certified home inspectors
  • Prompt scheduling and completion
  • Detailed inspection report with photos
  • Peace of mind for home buyers or sellers
  • Essential info for negotiating a good deal
  • Advanced Inspection Service (AIS) (972) 342-9183

Many people moving to the Northeast Dallas suburbs are taking advantage of the booming Denton real estate market. The rapid growth of the Texas economy has created a lot more demand for residential property. Especially in the nearby communities of McKinney and Frisco where there is a lot of new construction.

Unlike some of the newer towns, Denton has a long history. Founded in 1846, it has many older homes, farms and ranches. And surprisingly, many of these are in good condition. Our experience with Denton home inspections goes back more than a decade. We see a lot of high quality materials and workmanship when examining these historic properties. In many cases their construction rivals or exceeds that of contemporary buildings.

In recent years, our northern Dallas real estate evaluation business has grown explosively. Whether you are buying (or selling) a modern downtown condo, or a prestigious mansion in the historic district, a professional home inspection will give you confidence and enable you to negotiate the best deal.

Call AIS (972) 342-9183 today to discuss the property and schedule an appointment.

Denton Home Inspections – Key Factors

Older dwellings – and we’ve examined some 100 year old homes in Denton – can have some issues if they have not been upgraded over time. The construction industry has made some major advances in the last 20 years. Mostly in the areas of electrical systems, heating and air conditioning, and lighting (e.g., LEDs and fluorescents). As built, a 1970s house would probably not meet current building codes (depending on the community).

However, many pre-1960 structures were overbuilt with high quality masonry and wood not even available today. We’ve seen 80-year old mansions in the Oak Hill area that have not sagged or racked a bit since they were new. It all depends on the quality of the original design and construction – and the extent of maintenance and upgrading since then.

If you’re considering an older home, the electrical and plumbing systems need to meet your expectations. People didn’t have as many electrical appliances or exotic bath and shower systems back then. And, generally speaking, replacing outdated plumbing and undersized electrical cabling can be pretty expensive. We are always glad to discuss these things with our clients, to help them make purchase decisions (or negotiate repairs or price adjustments).

Inspecting Houses, Condos and Commercial Buildings

Most new houses and condos in North Dallas include all the modern amenities and technologies. Our Denton home inspectors usually encounter energy-efficient HVAC systems and appliances, wiring for security systems and high speed Internet, and typically high-end finishes like granite counters. Condo designs generally incorporate features that reduce maintenance for young professionals and empty-nesters.

During new home inspections in Denton, we generally find all systems and construction in compliance with current building codes. Electrical systems have ample capacity for modern appliances, and have ground fault and arc fault protection. Plumbing systems generally employ copper and/or plastic tubing on the supply side, with PVC in concert with iron pipe on the waste side. Most modern dwellings utilize platform framing systems with roof trusses above.

The main things we look for in recently-built housing (including new homes) is code compliance and proper maintenance. We can’t generally inspect inside walls. So if you are building, we recommend special construction inspections at the completion of each major stage (foundation, framing, rough plumbing, electrical). And, with the winter winds and rain we get in the Dallas area, we always do a thorough check for missing shingles/tiles and leaks in the attic.

If you need a home inspection in Denton TX, call AIS (972) 342-9183 today!

Evaluating Properties in Denton – Lewisville – Flower Mound

The north Dallas suburbs of Lewisville, Flower Mound and Denton share many attractive features. Their proximity to I-35 gives residents access to downtown jobs and activities. And people can take advantage of the many outdoor sports – including boating on Lewisville Lake.

Buyers choose residential areas for a variety of reasons. The demand for Denton homes has increased due to the wide selection of architecture and amenities. Most families with children are looking for good schools, safe neighborhoods and low cost of living.

From the perspective of a real estate inspector Denton has a lot in common with other north Dallas communities. Homes are occasionally exposed to high winds and driven rain; so it’s important for us to check for roof damage and leaks. And the flat terrain can lead to drainage problems. So we carefully check for functioning gutters and downspouts – as well as soil sloping away from the house.

Recent Home Inspection in Denton TX

After potential drainage issues, the most common deficiencies we encounter during home inspection in Denton relate to electrical, HVAC and foundation defects. Many of these are cosmetic and do not impact the structural integrity or livability of the dwelling. But it takes a professional home inspector to tell the difference.

We frequently find problems with the main electrical supply cabinet or breaker boxes. Especially in older houses, some of which have fuses instead of modern circuit breakers. Built years ago, many homes do not have adequate electrical supply or circuit breaking amperage to handle typical loads. We also see a lot of overloaded circuits and electrical outlets during home inspections in Denton, Flower Mound and Lewisville.

Most of the HVAC systems we evaluate are less than 10 years old. So they incorporate modern energy efficient technology and deliver reliable performance. The systems we find in older buildings range from outdated original equipment to state-of-the-art heating and air conditioning. The difference makes a big difference to the value of the property; so we spend a lot of time inspecting home HVAC units.

In new construction, developers generally employ slab-on-grade foundations. Most of those built in the last 20 years have been professionally engineered and fabricated. But older homes may have slabs that have shifted or cracked; and the cost of repairing these can be very high.

Advanced Inspection Service (AIS) – Denton TX

With more than three decades of experience inspecting homes in Denton, Frisco and McKinney TX, AIS understands the key factors that are important to buyers and sellers. We have high technology equipment and procedures that enable us to identify defects and potential problems. Our inspection reports include detailed explanations and photos that illustrate the issues and consequences.

Call AIS today – TREC-Certified Home Inspector Mike Martin (972) 342-9183.