Many new home buyers like to know how many years of use their furnace, air conditioner, roof, refrigerator, etc. have until it will need to be replaced.  I wish I could know the correct answer but anything that I tell them would be nothing more than and educated guess.
   
But, four things that I can tell my clients are 1.) whether the item works or not and the condition of the item at the time of the inspection; 2.) whether the item was installed properly; 3.) when the item was manufactured or installed; and 4.) the typical life expectancy of that item.  The actual lifespan is going to depend on many factors, including how much use (and abuse) it gets, maintenance and updates performed, the environment in the location where it is situated, and the quality of both the product and the installation. 

You can extend the life of your appliances and mechanical systems by having regular maintenance and cleaning performed by a qualified technician.  A regular maintenance schedule will not only increase the likelihood of your equipment lasting for more years but will also have it working more efficiently and save on operating costs.  Simply vacuuming all of the dust bunnies from under the refrigerator can add to the life of your appliance.
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Product user manuals will usually include recommended maintenance and schedules.  If you don’t have a manual, or your manual doesn’t have a maintenance schedule, either can often be found with a simple web search.  

Knowing the expected life left for an appliance or item in your home can help in making decisions on whether to repair or replace when it quits working.  You can also use the life expectancy to plan and budget for future expenses.  It can be extremely helpful to be able to anticipate and save for larger expenses that come up as a part of home ownership.  

Is it time sell your current home and move on? If you are planning to list your home for sale soon, you will have several considerations to make. Do you need to complete any repairs, maintenance or updates?  Does a quick sale for top dollar sound more appealing than prolonging the sale and selling the house as is and possibly leaving money on the table?  Can a minor improvement or even a fresh coat of paint make your house jump out to prospective buyers?   These are a few questions that will cross your mind if you want to impress our buyers and get a good sale for our houses.

However, before you start worrying about renovations it can be helpful to understand how your home has stood the test of time. Let's have a quick look at a few reasons why you may want to consider investing in a professional home inspection before selling your home.

Know Your Home's Current Condition
Give some thought to your home's current condition. How old is it? When was its last professional inspection? Has your home suffered any significant weather or other kinds of damage? Have you put off any repairs or maintenance?  Take a walk around and look at the key structural areas. Do you see any issues with the roof? How do the walls or siding look? Are there visible cracks in the home's foundation? If there are obvious issues, it is time for an inspection.

Are you Hoping for a Quick, Hassle-Free Sale?
Another excellent reason to get your home inspected early in the selling process is that it's likely help you to have a quick sale and closing. If there are any repairs required, you can have them taken care of before you start staging your home, having professional photos taken and hosting open houses.  Those minor fixes might help a potential sale go through more quickly and for a higher price. 

A recent inspection can also give you a competitive edge over nearby or similar homes that are for sale. It signals to potential buyers that you have done some of the heavy lifting in the process and that they are unlikely to uncover any major issues when they have their own inspections done.

Fix the Big Problems
Finally, a home inspection can identify major issues that could stop a sale from going through.  Having your home inspected before you list it ensures that you will be have time to take care of any of those potential big issues that could ruin a sale. Even if you decide to skip repairing some of the minor problems, taking care of things like a leaking roof, cracks in your foundation, mold problems or old electrical wiring will all help with keeping your sale on track.
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These are just a few of the great reasons to invest in a professional home inspection before listing your home for sale.