Home Inspections

One of the biggest investments you'll make in your lifetime is your home. Because of this, having a home inspection is a very critical part of buying, as well as selling a home. Home inspectors vary in their years of experience, reporting methods, and pricing. Because of this, it's very important to pick the right one.

So what exactly is a home inspection? A home inspection is a non-invasive examination of the condition of a home and is often performed prior to the sale of a home. After a home is inspected, the inspector delivers a written report to the client of their findings, so that the client can then use that knowledge to make a decision on the pending purchase. The report will describe the condition of the home at the time of inspection, but does not guarantee future condition, efficiency, or life expectancy of systems or components.

The top five things that surprise a home owner when a home is inspected include:

1. Dry rotted bathroom floors
2. Major problems with heating and air conditioner units.
3. Foundation repairs
4. Roof replacement
5. Older home issues

Why should you hire a home inspector? There are many who will try to convince you otherwise by saying that it's an extra cost you don't need, or several of these other excuses.

1. "You should wait as long as possible before getting a home inspection" That's not true. Waiting until the last minute to get your home inspected, could leave you without the information needed to make an informed decision on a home. Usually, you have 10 days to perform an inspection, as well as working along the deadlines to cancel a contract on a house. If this deadline passes, you could lose the opportunity to cancel your contract and still get your money back.

2. "The company that offers the lowest price is the company that you should hire" This is not necessarily true. If a company is offering a cheap price, it generally means that the company is new and doesn't really know what their price is, and probably won't be in business for long. If there are only one or two items that concern you about a home, it is possible to have a specialist look at those issues for less than the cost of an inspection.

3. "If you are buying a brand new home, you don't need an inspection" Many people have the misconception that if they're buying a new home, that they do not need a home inspection. Just because a home is new, does not mean that everything will work perfectly or was put together properly. The safest thing to do is to let a knowledgeable professional look things over for you.

Hiring a home inspector may seem like an extra expense, but by having your home inspected, many headaches can be prevented in the future!