Do-It-Yourself Concrete Room Addition Foundation

This information can also be very important to do-it-yourselfers that will be building other projects, for future home improvements. How can a do-it-yourselfer learn to build a concrete room addition foundation? Let's get started.

The first thing that you're going to need is a set of plans or building blueprints and they should have been approved by your local building department and planning department. There should be specific architectural details, that you will need to examine carefully, to build your new concrete room addition foundation correctly.

Let's get started with the digging. You're building plans, should give you the width and depth and the exact location, of the building footings that will need to be dug. Grab your shovels and get started. Make sure that all of the dirt is removed properly, before you start to form the room addition foundation footings.

Next you will need to form the foundation. This can be done using 2 x 10 or 2 x 12 form boards. You can easily apply these form boards, in the exact location, that the building plans are suggesting. You can use 1 x 3 wood or metal stakes that can be purchased at any home improvement or lumber yard, to hold up your form boards in the correct position.

The sole purpose of the form boards, will be to hold the concrete in, once it is poured. Next you will need to install all of the rebar and building hardware, that will also be required on your building blueprints. Make sure that you examine these building plans to find the exact location, for all of your anchor bolts, hold down bolts and all of your structural rebar.

Once this is done, you're ready to pour your concrete, but don't pour your concrete, until you have contacted your local building inspector to examine your new room addition building foundation.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link Escondido Remodeling and Home Repairs

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Click Here For Some Great Ideas About Room Addition Foundations

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors.

Thanks For Reading My Articles

How Much Do You Love Your TV?

Imagine being able to watch TV while you soak in the bathtub, enjoying the good life? Well there is now a company that makes a killer bathtub with a built in remote control on the tubs side with a 17 inch flat screen television at the other end. Meaning you can sit in your Jacuzzi bubble bath and watch anything you want on TV? Just think you can take an hour long bath each day and never miss the news, your favorite sports program or even play a movie while you soak up the comforts of life.

Some say that Americans have lost their minds, while others say they have surrendered their brains to their TV sets, either way we are a nation of sound and fury all supported by the chaos and controversy on our televisions. Can you remember the last week where you did not turn on a TV set? Have you ever lived a whole week without the TV? Did you know that the average American is now watching 4-5 hours of TV a day? Some folks still watch more television than the time they spend doing emails, surfing the Internet or posting on their blogs. The most interesting thing is many people watch TV while they are online? But why not do something more enjoyable with your time? Why not have a nice warm soothing bath and live like a Roman, the way Americans were suppose to live and while you watch your favorite movie, sports program or shows. Think on this.

If you are interested in seeing what one of these new bath tubs looks like tough, because this online article site will not let me post a picture of it. They will not tell me why, apparently they have some funny rules that no one can figure out.

"Lance Winslow" - Lance Winslow's Bio

If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/

Avoiding Mistakes For Do-It-Yourselfers - Drain Clearing

The other day I was in a popular home improvement center picking up some irrigation parts for our house, when I was ease dropping on a conversation between an older man and one of the stores representatives. The man explained to the so-called in house plumbing expert that he had a clogged drain and was looking for a product that could be poured into the drain and solve his problems.

They were both standing in front of the liquid plumber selection of fine products(that was a joke). What product do you recommend the older man asked. The do-it-yourselfer plumbing expert answered by pointing to a product that he recommended, this seems to do a pretty good job at clearing drains. The older man, having been around the block before, a little more educated than he was a few years ago, from his previous purchases of a product that claimed to perform a task, but didn't.

If this was a young man or woman, I would have waited until the home improvement specialist left the area and then, I would've explained who I was, and my experience with a few of these products. However, I felt that this man, who looked like he was in his late 60s or early 70s, should've known better. I chose the let him help the economy with his purchase. I guess in a sense, I was doing my good deed for the day.

Their conversation soon ended as the in-house plumbing expert left to advise another customer, hopefully on something that he actually knew something about. The older gentleman selected a different product and quickly scaned the area to make sure that the person who had assisted him wasn't around as he scampered off in a hurry.

Here's a quick tip on how to avoid mistakes as a do-it-yourselfer. Don't assume that liquid drain cleaning products will solve your problem. Try not to get caught up in your home improvement advisers solution to your problem. I have watched them sell products to unsuspecting customers and even had them try to sell me something that didn't work.

I personally, have never had any luck unclogging any drain pipes with any liquid drain cleaner. I don't know if my message is loud and clear here and hope that anyone who has gotten this far, reading the article will not believe everything that they read, because the book or product says professional plumbing expert or listen to someone because they're wearing a shirt that says ask me, I'm a home improvement expert.

If you choose to ignore my advice, know this, you will be forever doomed to repeat the mistakes that others have made before you.

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:
Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a home buyers guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your looking for some more information on plumbing check out our house plumbing books

Bathroom Improvements

Bathroom improvements offer a dramatic return on the investment, especially when they are handled as do-it-yourself projects. Bathroom improvements are important, as this is the place where family members spend time relaxing.

Modern bathrooms are at their best havens of tranquility and a great selling point for a homely home. At their worst, bathrooms can be an eyesore and decrease the value of a home. Modern bathroom cabinets and other furniture is a far cry from the products that was fitted as standard just a few short years ago when it was usual to see peeling paint and mirror backing disintegrating.

Especially large families that have several people sharing the same bathroom, making minor bathroom improvements can make it easier and more private. When several people are forced to share the same space, things are going to be misplaced or put away where the owner may never find them.

Bathroom improvements are popular and bring the high return when a house is sold. Rather than undertaking major improvements like installing a new tub, try some easy affordable ideas like replacing old door hardware and bath accessories to make it look appealing. By fitting a new bathroom cabinet perhaps with subtle lighting, or a freestanding cabinet, the bathroom area can be transformed, which can be made in wood finishes as well as traditional white. A mirror with small, charming lights adds a warm feeling to your bathroom.

Colored lotion bottles and bubble baths are practical and can be attractive when organized properly. Ornamental soaps are nice but hardly ever used; instead you should find eye-catching bottles and refill them with liquid soap.

Baths should not only look good, they need to make you feel good as well. Many new items found in today's bathrooms not only make your day-to-day living more enjoyable, but can also be energy efficient improvement. Bathrooms have come a long way from the days of strictly no-frills design and use, and are now viewed as sanctuaries to which people escape and indulge in personal pampering.

Additional space is almost always needed for storage in a bathroom. This can allow all of your family to have their own little space for their toiletries.

Paint can give you the biggest decorating bang for your budget buck. Paint is relatively inexpensive, and can really change the overall look of a room.

Nevertheless adding a second bath can make your home considerably easier to sell. Other fundamental improvements also include installing double sinks, tile floors, new bath fixtures and taps. All these improvements should add value to your home. A good do it yourself home improvement project will raise the value of your property and collateral, in the eyes of a lender. Because of this, lenders are more than willing to offer homeowners funds.

Hi my name is John Fyfe. I enjoy DIY projects and one of my favourites is tiling. http://www.installing-bathroom-tiles.com

Important Home Repair Advice - Do it Yourself

There are plenty of homeowners that would like to do their own home repairs, but lack the skills necessary to accomplish the task. I would like to give them a couple of tips that can drastically improve their home repair abilities.

Let's start with the basics, you need to acquire the basic information necessary to accomplish the task. Where are you going to find this information, who's going to teach you how to do your home repairs. Most building professionals don't have the time to explain the process to you, because it takes time away from them, for making money to support their families.

Here's the best advice I can give you, buy books, buying as many books as you need to gather the information to help you accomplish your home repair or home remodeling project. These books can provide you with lots of useful illustrations and the step-by-step instructions that will be necessary to understand the construction process.

I have been using great books with lots of illustrations, my entire life and have learned many things about the home repair and construction process. If you're planning on repairing your bathtub, try to find fix-it books that have some information on what you are trying to do.

There are plenty of great books out there and I would recommend any of them that apply to your needs. If you need a lot of pictures, find a book with a lot of pictures, if you have an easier time understanding step-by-step instructions, find a book that has plenty of step-by-step instructions.

I hope this has helped you, because it has helped a lot of people in the past.

If you're really interested in learning more about remodeling, new home construction, home maintenance, home repairs and really want to get the nuts and bolts of home improvement. Visit our web site and select from the best-selling home building books on the Internet.

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If Your Serious About Home Improvement You Should Visit Our Newest Site On Home Repairs

Cheap Hotels in Milan to Serve People on a Budget

Milan is the place in Italy, which should be visited and not to be missed, while on the trip to Italy. The most beautiful and dazzling city leave the ever lasting imprints on the screen of a mind. Its architectural beauty, shopping malls, sleek skyscrapers, vibrant nightlife, historic monuments and parks have all collectively made it a top tourists' destination. Apart form it, several amusements parks, gardens and tourists' attractions have added their charismatic influence to the city. Milan hotels are also not lagging behind in catering to their accommodation needs.

The extensive network of hotels, ranging from star luxury hotels to cheap hotels in Milan, caters to the taste and need of every traveler. From the bedding to the recreation and cuisines, their service is superb. Milan is known all over the world for the perfection, it stretches in all fields. Here, the cuisines contain the distinct flavor. The most popular dish, Risotto, a popular dish, is made of rich meat stocks, which is prominent with all the menus. Beside, it there are many of Milan dishes that are popular among people on budget. Some of the cheap hotels Milan can be easily found in proximity to these tourists attractions:-

Duomo cathedral- one of the most fantastic and imposing structures in the world. This incredible structure has become the symbol of Milan. The golden statue inside it, known as La Madonnina, is one of the main attractions for the visitors to the city.
Castello Sforzesco- it is the main site for the historians and for those interested in knowing the history of the city. Situated in the Parco Sempione, the central tower of the building, it offers magnificent views over the city. It not only give it a beautiful picturesque to Milan but also give it a grand appearance.
Arco Della Pace- it lies opposite to the central tower, mentioned above. It is made up of granite, brought from the Lake Maggiore area. It remains as an impressive feature.
Teatro alla Scala- it is a large opera house built on the central site of the old church, Santa Maria della Scala. It includes the theater museum, a home to fine collection of painting, ceramics and sculpture. Generally the traditional opening night of the opera season takes place on the feast day of the patron saint of Milan.

Beside these, there are many tourists' attractions, to be explored by the tourists, which add fun and excitement to the trip of its visitors. Have a memorable trip to Mailn, Italy!

Nancy Eben is an associate editor of http://www.a1milanhotels.com/ The website offers exclusive information of Milan and Milan hotels. We also provide online hotel reservation of cheap hotels Milan. We appreciate your feedback and queries at megharyan@gmail.com

Five Things That a Termite Inspection Company Might Not Ever Say

I don't think that I've ever heard of a termite inspector, ever go to a home and not find any termites. Even if the home doesn't have any damage that is visible from the termites, it seems like it's always a good idea, to tent the home, just in case, for protection. Anyway, here's five things that you might not ever hear a termite inspector ever say.

1. Your house is free of termites. This means that there isn't, one termite on your property and the termite inspector isn't going to make any money. Let's face it, termite damage, whether it's visible or invisible, keeps these guys working.

2. Your house isn't going to fall down, if I don't do anything to stop the termites. I have seen homes, where termites have been working on them for quite some time and they still seem to stand up and function properly.

3. Termites don't eat much and I wouldn't worry about the damage. Most termite inspectors will tell you how much a termite in Hawaii or Africa will eat in a day, but doesn't seem to have an honest idea, how much damage they are doing to your home, if they can't actually see it.

4. Every one that works for our company, has at least 30 years experience, repairing any termite damage. Don't even get me started with this one.

5. We will replace all of the termite damage wood, back to its original condition. What they might say, is that they will replace the wood that is damaged by termites, that you can actually see.

There are plenty of great termite companies out there and this article was meant just to have fun with most of them. Termite damage can be a serious problem with some homes and I would suggest that you contact at least three termite inspectors, before proceeding ahead with any home repairs or use of chemicals.

Try not to forget, the only way that a termite inspection company will make any money, looking at your house, will be to find something wrong with it.

If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link Easy Home Repair Tips . Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link San Diego Remodeling Contractors

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Thanks For Reading My Articles

South West Shower Curtains

Privacy is key especially when having a bath. Curtains are very important in providing privacy in shared bathrooms. However, if you value the beauty of your bathroom, you should choose curtains carefully. South West shower curtains come in outstanding designs. They bring a sense of warmth and rejuvenation to the bathing place. It is best to add matching accessories so as to transform the whole place.

There are many colors in which the curtains come in. They include: green, red wine, gold, brown and purple. The Arapho type comes in warm earth tones. Some of these tones are: russet and ocher. It is an excellent choice for a casual expression. South West shower curtains are available in different materials. Polyester is one such material.

It is advisable to have very long curtains. They prevent water from seeping into other areas in the bathroom. The Silver ado type is loved by many. It is simply beautiful. The Se dona type of curtains are designed by Lawrence Home fashions. The curtains in colors such as brown, Se dona red, sage green gold and purple. As you bathe, the curtains create a view of the Se dona Red rocks.

There are some South West shower curtains that are available in rare colors. Some of these include: rust, turquoise blue and earth brown. Your bathroom will surely be a place to refresh and relax. These curtains are available in shopping malls. They are also available online. You simply need to let your fingers do the walking. Whatever your choice will be, ensure that it suits your pocket and your home.

Peter Gitundu Researches and Reports on Shower Curtain. For More Information on South West Shower Curtains, Visit His Site at SOUTH WEST SHOWER CURTAINS

You Can Also Add Your Views About South West Shower Curtains At My Blog here SOUTH WEST SHOWER CURTAINS

Don't Let This Happen to You - Home Computer Electrical Damage

If you've read any of my other articles, you know that I am always coming up with great ideas, tips and even a couple of stories that can save homeowners lots of money. Here's another one of those stories, that involves a friend of mine who asked me if I could fix his outdoor electrical outlet.

I was over at his house one day, and told him that I could probably fix the electrical outlet and if we needed any parts, we could run down to the lumber yard and pick them up and his problem would be solved within a few hours. This two hour repair was about to cost him the hard drive on his computer, but neither one of us had any idea what was about to happen.

We each agreed to give it a shot, I told him to go over to the electrical panel and turn off the breaker that went to his outdoor shed. He proceeded to turn off the breaker and yelled out," It's off, try it." I plugged in an electric drill and it was still working, as he was walking around the corner, towards me, I showed him that the drill was still on and he hadn't turned off the right electrical breaker.

He went back and turned off a couple of more electrical breakers and the drill was still running. Now he frantically started to turn off one electrical breaker at a time, until I yelled out," It's off, the electrical power is, off you can stop."

I repaired the electrical outlet and he went back to turn every electrical breaker back on that he had turned off. We were proud of ourselves and he now had electrical power, back to his shed and he was happy.

Now for the bad news, his computer was running and when he turned the electricity off and on, it must've done something to his computer hard drive and it now needed to be replaced.

The moral to the story, isn't that you shouldn't help your friends. It's that you should, make sure that your computers are safely off, before you attempt to do any electrical work to your home.

It wouldn't be a bad idea, to have a battery backup, for your computer, if you use it often, just in case there is an electrical failure or something happens like the story above.

If your really interested in saving money on your home electrical bills - Energy Saving Books

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link Home Repair Advice. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

Healthful Benefits of Using a Shower Filter

The importance of water to us is indisputable. In the same breath we are also aware that water is also a carrier of contaminants that has resulted in spread of various deadly diseases including that of certain kinds of cancers, typhoid and cholera. It is important for us to consume water that is filtered of the contamination for our health and well being. The ability of the filtration device to purify water of these deadly contaminates is extremely important for human consumption.

One of the major disadvantages of large scale industrialization world over is the waste the industries produce. Since the water contamination is on the rise because of chemicals released by various industries, the immediate need is to take steps for large scale protection measures. One of the simplest forms of these measures is the use of right type of filtration at various households to render the water drinkable.

Shower water filters are one of the recently advent water treatment filters that have enormous qualities to provide healthy drinking water. The name shower water filter gives an impression that this type of water filters are used to clean up bathing water and thus is not as vital as other water filters are, the fact is that these filters use similar technology that is used in other kinds of water filters. The filters have the capability to eliminate most of the contaminants from water that are taken out by other water filters.

It is not necessary that these deadly water contaminants get to the human body only through water intake. Most of them can get introduced to the body by way of inhalation or can get absorbed into via skin. One of such very damaging contaminant is chlorine that robs hair and skin of the vital moisture and makes them dry.

The skin and hair manage to retain natural oil that is essential for soft and natural appearance of both if the water used for shower is free of chlorine content. The chlorine contamination causes the body to lose these natural oils and thus may prove to be detrimental for the skin and hair condition. It may result in skin allergies, eczemas, irritations, rashes, hardness, and hair weakening and fall etc. For a healthy skin and as much healthy hair it is important to have chlorine free water for bathing.

Apart from the problem caused by absorption of chlorine through skin, inhalation of chlorine gas vapors can be a source of a number of problems. Chlorine vaporizes faster than water and thus if chlorine mixed water is used for shower it is inevitable but to inhale fumes emanating this hazardous contamination.

Some of the more common effects of inhalation of chlorine is bronchitis, asthma and other breathing related problems. This is because the immediate effect the vapors have on the delicate lung tissues. Chlorine, because of its dangerous properties, was used as lethal gaseous weaponry in the World War - II. Chlorine's deadly properties are as harmful for the body as it is for the bacteria that it destroys in the water. Shower a water filter offer this immense advantage by providing chlorine free water for bathing and thus keep away from all these problems. Obviously the shower water filter are very effective to minimize the chances of the dangerous chlorine getting to our bodies through our skin or via respiration.

The importance of shower water filtration can not be under estimated considering the fact that chlorine that enters human body through respiration system and via skin is more than what enters because of direct consumption of chlorine added water. The body pores open up at the time of taking a shower that results in huge chlorine contamination entering our body. Environment Protection Agency recommends use of shower water filtration in the households to keep under control the chloroform levels that result because of chlorine contaminated water.

Helping you meet you needs for quality water filters, Better Water Store's expert staff is standing by to assist you.

10 Things a Homeowner Won't Tell a Contractor - Common Courtesy

I've been a contractor in the state of California for over 20 years and there are some things that a homeowner won't tell a contractor. These are a few things that a contractor might want to hear, but a reluctant homeowner, might have second thoughts telling their contractors how they really feel.

1. We are happy with all of the work that you did in a timely manner and we appreciate your services.

2. We are happy with the way you performed your construction tasks, efficiently and we appreciate your services.

3. The work was done by a true professional and we would recommend you to any one of our friends.

4. The payment plan that you created in the contract worked out perfectly and never made us feel uncomfortable. It never seemed like you had too much of our money or we were putting you in a bad spot financially.

5. Thanks for keeping the job clean, it meant a lot to us, because we have seen other construction jobs that look like a tornado ran through them.

6. Thanks for helping us with our design. Working with your contractor on a daily, weekly or monthly basis can be frustrating or joyful. Let the contractor know either way how you are really feeling.

7. You and your crew are extremely hard-working and we appreciate the simple fact that you didn't come to work late or leave early.

8. Thanks for the reasonable priced estimate on our project. You helped us say a lot of money and we appreciate that sincerely.

9. Thanks for doing the extra work at a reasonable price. You could have gouged us at certain times, but you chose to be fair and work things out, in a way that would benefit both of us.

10. This one is the most important and often overlooked by homeowners and it's simple and easy to do. Thanks for doing what you said you were going to do and actually doing it.

Just a simple thank you and paying them on time, for a service well done is enough for most contractors. However, a little common courtesy can go a long way, even in the construction industry.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link Home Remodeling Contractor

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Click here if you're looking for additional Homeowner Contractor Advice. If you're interested in gathering more information on how to hire a good contractor, make sure that you visit our website.

How You Can Remodel Your Porch Yourself

There are many benefits your home can gain when you remodel your porch. This great example provided by DoItYourself provides great tips to enhance your outdoors with fresh ideas that employ the usage of carpentry skills, paint and stain to bring in life into a regular backyard. Plenty of mosquitoes along with the need to enjoy summer,spring and fall by lazing around outside, made the homeowners of a residence in Atlanta in Georgia to alter their backside porch from a plain looking slab of concrete to a showcase that was screened in, including insulated drapes. While taking the decision took no time, the actual solution was tedious.

The owners realized that screening the back patio was absolutely needed. It was just a squarish piece of concrete which was placed under an overhanging roof. This made the situation far more complicated. They needed to blend the porch along with the house while also providing a shield from local insects, summer heat and humidity levels. The slab of concrete even had a slope to provide for rain water to go away and so this needed to be trimmed from the frame's inside to fit into the slope.

Here's a stepwise guide of what these people did:

1. Cutting the paneling: Sheets of paneling of the beadboard ceiling variety were cut into 4x8 feet dimensions. These were primed beforehand.

2. Installation of ceiling fans and panels: With the help of a nail gun the owners were able to quickly install the ceiling panels. It was so much easier that hammer swinging and holding on to the panel! Before the panel was installed fan and light wiring was performed on the ceiling. The fan made it possible to make the porch around 8-10 degrees colder as compared to outdoor temperatures. The light made it possible for the usage of the porch during night time. So while one person would hold the fan another person would connect the wiring and then screw the fan in place. The finish trim on the ceiling served to camouflage the panel seams.

3. Framing of the porch: Based on the standard sized screens that were installed, the porch frame which measured 2x4 feet was fitted to size. Crosspieces could be directly nailed on to the vertically placed braces or just toenailed into the area.

4. Interior panel attachment: With the help of a staple gun the beadboard paneling comprising pine along with plywood, was secured into the interior. Although level on the topside, the panels needed trimming on the bottom portion in order to fit into the unevenly surfaced concrete flooring. This used to have a slope to provide rain runoff.

5. Levelling and attaching the exterior panel: All the hardboard panels of the exterior were put into place one by one, right from the bottom to the top. The first panel was customized and cut as per the uneven base line of the ground. The usage of a weather resistant type of paint made it possible to maintain exteriors by just using water and soap for color maintenance.

6. Finishing with the screen: All the vinyl grids were directly screwed upon the wood frame. The screens were placed on the channels present on these grids, thus facilitating a stapleless installation of aluminum and fibreglass screens. Upon rolling these screens with a spline on the grid channels, the extra screen was just trimmed off.

Greg Hansward's papers are published on several online publications linked to insulated draperies and insulated curtain fabric. From his detailed writings, he proofed his knowledge on issues dealing with insulated drapes and insulated draperies.

Why Buyers Should Attend House Inspections

While many buyers are enamored with the idea purchasing a house, they often fail to fully investigate the house in question. House inspectors can do this for you, but you should also attend the inspection.

While you are out looking a perspective houses, you probably noticed a few things. Unless the seller is foolish, most houses are going to be in excellent shape. The landscaping will be nice and up-to-date, the painful look excellent, the house will be very clean and so on. You will find this on most houses for one primary reason. The seller wants to sell the house! The question, of course, is whether the house is truly in good shape, or just looks nice.

As a buyer, because without saying that you should always demand a house inspection by a qualified professional. The purpose of the house inspection is to take a closer look at the quality of the house. A house inspector is going to check for things like internal water damage, termites, rot and other things that appear to be problematic. Obviously, you want to know if there are any serious problems underlying the pristine exterior of your potential house.

While most buyers know that they need a house inspection, they often don't understand the importance of attending the house inspection themselves. In fact, you should try to get the seller to attend the house inspection is well if you can pull it off. The reason for this has everything to do with reasonableness. When you and the seller both attend a house inspection, you get a first-hand account of what is right and what is wrong with the house. This will almost always cut out any riffraff from the seller about whether there is a serious problem or not. This makes negotiating a financial solution to any potential problems much easier and much more straightforward.

Even if there are no problems with the house of any significance, you should still attend house inspection. Why? Well, there is a practical answer. If you attend the house inspection, you're going to get an introduction to the practical things related to the house. You're going to find out where things such as the gas valve, water valve, electrical box and other key little things are located. You may think this is something you can do easily on your own, but you'd be surprised how hard it is to find certain things on a house.

For house buyers, house inspections are an important step in making sure you're getting a quality piece of property. That being said, it is a mistake to just rely on a report from a house inspector. You are committing to a large amount of debt, so make sure that you get out there and understand what you're buying.

Raynor James is with FSBO America - FSBO homes for sale by owner.