The word on the street
Great experience! Joe was extremely easy to work with! Detailed and always ready to answer our questions! We highly recommend him for your next home inspection.
Joe was awesome starting with my initial contact with him. He responded quickly, listened intently to my needs, and gave me options.
He also educated me about the inspection process and the rationale for performing certain inspections from the homebuyer’s perspective. This specific presentation made the information relevant.
I highly recommend this business, especially for new builds. Did you know there’s an inspection available before the foundation is poured!!!? Contact Realm Inspections for more information!
Joe inspected the home I’m buying with the thoroughness, detail, and length of time that made me comfortable in my home purchase. He walked me through the house after he finished the inspection and provided a detailed report about every nook and cranny in the house. I did not feel that my inspection was just another job, but that Joe really cared about providing good service. I cannot recommend him highly enough and will use him for future inspections.
My dad used Realm for a house purchase, very satisfied. Joe was extremely prompt and managed to get the termite inspector there on the same day(no small trick). EXTREMELY useful. He definitely knew his stuff and explained a lot of things to my dad that he will need as owner. Of the 5 house inspections my dad has ordered, Realm was by far the best.
First time using this inspection company, and I am very impressed with the results. My inspector was Joseph Boos and his report was very detailed and concise. He explained every item on the report as to why it was reported and what actions should be taken to resolve the issue. Will definitely use this company again in the future!
Absolutely the highlight of this whole process. Very professional, very detailed, very thorough. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to recommend them to anyone.
Joe and team are awesome! We had Realm inspect our new home. This is our third house and we’ve had inspections before so we kind of knew what to expect. Well Joe blew us away with his professionalism and took our expectations to a new level. He’s really down to earth and talked to us like we were long time friends. The report he provided was like no other we’ve seen before. There were too many cool features to list here, but being able to access it anywhere at anytime is what really stood out to my wife and I. We are so glad we went with Realm. We’ll definitely be sharing his name with friends moving into the area.
Your resource for life!
Choosing a home inspector can be a chore. Considering the competition in our market, you have options. Buying a home is already a challenge, so why not let us take some of that burden. Now, imagine if you had a smart friend that could help you make your decision. How about someone who understands your house? What about someone that can provide you with expert advice, whenever you need it? If you had a friend like that you would be able to enjoy your home for years to come. Carrie, Joe, and the team at Realm Inspections are those friends. Remember, our relationship doesn’t end with the inspection. We are your resource for life!
What if you have questions? Honestly, whether it’s before, during, or after the inspection, just reach out to us. It’s as easy as a phone call, text message, or email. If you prefer, you can find us on social media, or you can click that little green chat bubble (lower right). We call it “The Bubble”. Come find us, we are everywhere!
If you’re focused on price, consider you are about to embark on one of the largest financial investments of your life. Is the home inspection really where you want to try and save? Here’s the thing, cheap home inspectors operate on volume. The only way to get the volume is to do as many inspections in the least amount of time possible. That means less time spent at your future home. You’re worth more than that, and we’ll grant you the time and devotion you, your family, and your home deserves.
• General Home Inspection
This is your standard, run-of-the-mill inspection, the type everyone thinks of when they hear “home inspection.” Buying a home? This is your inspection. Selling a home? This is your inspection. But here’s something that will really bake your noodle… Been in the home for more than 5 years? This is also your inspection. That’s right, your home and all the equipment in it are constantly wearing and tearing. A home inspection for an existing owner lets them organize and prioritize their to-do list.
• New Construction
Building a home? Who isn’t?! Look around at all that construction out there. With so much activity and so much to keep up with, builders have their work cut out for them. We provide an unbiased set of eyes to make sure your new construction home is being built right. Things do get missed during construction, after all, builders and their trades are human, we place no blame at their feet. We’re there to support them so they can build you the absolute best home possible. When it comes to New Construction, there are up to 4 inspections you can get. 1 for each phase.
Inspecting a brand new home can not only save you money but protect your investment.
• Rental / Investment Inspection
The investor inspection is, as the name implies – designed for those looking to invest in real estate properties as a source of income. These inspections are limited in scope covering only the primary systems of the house needed for habitability.
The investor inspection is not meant for those planning to use the property as their main residence.
• Annual Inspection
Annual inspections are for the proactive homeowner. This inspection is an abbreviated assessment, limited in scope, intended to make sure the homeowner stays current with the home’s condition. Annual inspections, as the name implies, are performed once per year and must follow a General Home Inspection, performed by Realm.
• Radon Testing
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking. Not to scare you, but Radon really is becoming a big deal. Where is radon? Everywhere. It’s a naturally occurring gas found around the globe. It comes from the soil and is virtually undetectable, at least to our senses. Studies have proven its negative health effects. The EPA also says there is no safe exposure limit. Make sure the air you breathe in your home is safe. Radon testing is included with our Air Quality Inspection and is included with ALL of our Package inspection options. Don’t worry, if your radon levels are high, there are ways to fix them to keep you and your family safe.
• Termite & Pest Inspection
Termites and other wood-destroying pests are responsible for over $3 billion in damage annually with the average home mitigation and repair bill near $3,300 each. We partner with local experts to provide Wood Destroying Insect Reports (WDIR) required by some lenders and insurers. And wouldn’t you know it, most homeowner policies do not provide protection for pest damage.
• Mold Inspection & Testing
Mold is everywhere. But conditions in the home control its growth. If mold is allowed to take up residence in your home, you’ll want to figure out why, and then get it out as soon as possible. We offer two options for mold inspection and testing, Complete and Limited. A Complete mold inspection includes a full home assessment and air sampling. Limited is intended for direct sampling of a specific area of concern. A complete mold inspection is also part of our Air Quality Inspection which includes Radon testing.
• Water Quality Testing
Everyone should have their water tested at least once a year. Regardless of whether you are on public or private water systems, you’ll want to get your water tested. Changes to the environment and geological conditions can influence the chemical makeup of the water we drink. We offer testing panels for all kinds of scenarios. Did you just build a home or move into one with a well, then you should make this a priority. We have panels for private wells, city public works, and tests to qualify for VA, FHA, and USDA loan funding.
• Septic Inspection
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Mmm, septic systems. Sometimes just the mention of it makes you wince. Septics are easy to use yet also very easy to break. They are cheap to maintain, but astronomically expensive to repair. Be that as it may, wastewater systems are major components that require special licensing to inspect. Lucky for you we hold those licenses. Some inspectors offer dye tests… dye tests are not septic inspections, so ask around to see what others are offering. We’ll do the dirty work to confirm your system is functioning as it was designed.
• Advanced Well Inspection
Private wells are meant to provide an adequate source of water to your home. We confirm the system is operating as intended and will provide a sufficient supply of water for you and your family. We check the pressure tank pre-charge & draw-down, switch cut-in and cut-out settings, flow rate, and include a basic water quality test.
• Pool & Spa Inspection
Inground or Above-ground pools and spas require ongoing maintenance to provide years of entertainment for the family. They’re like little houses that include some of the same systems to function correctly… you just can’t live in them… unless you ask our kids. Digressing, we check for all visible and readily accessible safety hazards. We inspect the electrical, plumbing, structure, filtration, and heating systems.
• Single System Assessment
Don’t feel like ponying up the money for a full inspection? Or are you wanting to have an evaluation of a system you suspect is about to go kaput? Either way, we offer single-system assessments for just those reasons. Want to know if your roof is on its way out without having to deal with the hard sale from a contractor? Yeah, me neither. We’ll give you an unbiased opinion on the status of the system you choose without selling you something you don’t need. Our single system assessments include the roof, exterior, interior, foundation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or thermal evaluation.
You got questions? We got answers!
What do you look for during a home inspection?
We inspect the big systems of the house. Systems like the roof, exterior, structure, electrical, heating, cooling, plumbing, insulation, and the interior. Our goal is to find problems that could affect a client’s decision to buy the home. We don’t just look for the bad, we also add useful information and maintenance tips.
How much does a home inspection cost?
Our fee for a home inspection starts at $395 for homes up to 2,000 square feet. The fee steps up for every 500 square feet over that. We also have a bunch of add-on services to choose from that will affect the price. If you are comparing home inspection firms, the fee charged should not be the deciding factor. You should be looking for an inspector, not a price. Remember, you are making a major purchase and your choice of home inspector should be based on the best value.
What is included in the fee for a home inspection?
We want to provide you with the best value. With that, we make sure to provide the most benefit. Each of our home inspections includes:
Want more info? Take a deeper dive here.
How long do I need to give you to schedule my home inspection?
We try to get to everyone as quickly as possible. Understanding time is of the essence, we offer late afternoon and weekend appointments. We know the sale of the home can be based on the results of a home inspection, therefore we ask that you allow for at least three days for scheduling. We may need to coordinate with other partners to fulfill certain tasks. This can affect the inspection date.
Do I get a written home inspection report? When?
You certainly do — we publish your home inspection report within 24 hours of the end of the inspection. Please note, some reports rely on other trades or lab testing. Those add-on reports can take up to 10 days to publish. As for our report, we use a web-based platform that allows you to access the report from anywhere. Your report includes a description of the home’s condition and details of the systems therein.
How do I schedule a home inspection with Realm?
Do I have to take notes during my home inspection?
You can certainly take notes. We’ll write down everything we find so you don’t have to — the good, the bad, and everything in between. Your home inspector will add things like system information and tips that could be useful to a homeowner. We’ll do the heavy lifting leaving you to more important tasks. Like measuring for window treatments or figuring out the best place to hang your new flat-screen TV.
How long does a home inspection take?
A typical home inspection should last between 2 to 3 hours. This can vary based on the condition and size of the home. As a courtesy to sellers, we inform them of how long the inspection should last.
Can I follow along with my home inspector?
Absolutely, in fact, we encourage our clients to be at their home inspections. The home inspection is a valuable learning experience for most homebuyers. One word of caution. For safety reasons, we ask that you do not climb on the roof, go into the attic, or enter the crawlspaces with us.
What should I wear to my home inspection?
To be honest, we’re not really in a position to offer any kind of fashion advice. More to the point, you should dress comfortably and be prepared to spend roughly 2-1/2 hours walking through the home with the inspector. Depending on the season we will be testing the heating or cooling systems. We may freeze or heat you out of the house during the test, so just be aware and dress accordingly.
Can I ask questions during my home inspection?
Please do! You may even want to prepare some questions prior to the home inspection. Did you notice something during an initial walkthrough? Let us know! Also, feel free to stop us and ask questions along the way. If our comments or explanations are not clear, don’t hesitate to ask us for clarification. After all, the only dumb question is the one not asked!
Will a home inspector discourage me from buying a house if its really bad?
Never. Our goal is to report on the condition of the home, noting defects when we find them. Every client’s situation is different. A home inspection is an important tool designed to help you make an informed decision. Just know that no home is perfect and most things we find during a home inspection can be corrected. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether the home is right for you. Your real estate professional can help in that regard.
Can I bring my family to a home inspection?
As much as we appreciate the excitement that comes with buying a new home, we ask that you do not bring your family — for a few reasons.
We encourage you to take plenty of pictures to share with your family.
What Every Homebuyer in Raleigh, North Carolina, Must Know
Email us and we’ll send you our free e-booklet
Undoubtedly, purchasing a home is one of the largest investments you’ll make. It could be one of the biggest you will make in your lifetime.
As a benefit to you, we use some of the coolest technology. We also use modern web-based reports along with the tools that help families make their decision. Realm Inspections offers all that you should expect from an inspector, and then some.
The fact of the matter is you might not meet your home inspector before hiring them. Therefore, it’s important to find someone who has your best interests in mind. Being trustworthy and thorough are nice, but they should be the minimum expectation you have of any inspector. Most will do the job and be done. At the end of the day, you deserve a team that will support you long after the inspection is over.
That’s us!
Now that everything has gone digital, why not your inspection report too? We want you to have the easiest-to-read document in the industry. For that reason, we partnered with Spectora.
You can access your report when you need it, where you need it, within 24 hours of the end of your inspection. We give you the best the industry has to offer. After all, you deserve it.
