October 15, 1999 (San Diego, Calif) — The California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA) is urging homeowners to have their homes inspected on an annual basis. It is important for both the safety of it occupants and for the house’s value that a homeowner be informed on the status of their dwelling’s systems and components.

Constant upkeep not only makes a home more livable on a continuing basis, but also makes it less expensive to fix when the time comes to sell. Because of the wide range of seasonal climates, unusual weather and seismic occurrences, a professional home inspection can help provide a wealth of information to a homeowner anxious to ensure that their valuable home is well maintained.

In addition to market value, health and safety of the family are the primary reasons for an annual checkup. An annual professional inspection report would serve as a reminder of maintenance upkeep and provide a record of what services have been done. If minor problems are noted on the report, the homeowner has the opportunity to fix them before they develop into a major expense.

An inspection consists of a thorough visual examination of a home’s structural components including the foundation, superstructure, and roofing systems, where accessible. The heating and cooling equipment is activated along with operating plumbing fixtures, testing accessible electrical outlets and fixtures, and operating a representative sampling of doors and windows.