Home Inspections

When you are buying a home you want to know how you can save in the process of embarking on a huge financial investment. A home inspection done by a professional home inspector will help you make informed decisions which could mean big savings.

At first glance home inspections may be viewed as an "extra" or even "hidden" cost by the home buyer. But that is not the case when you examine the advantages of getting a home inspection. When the deal is all sealed and done you will see that the benefits will far outweigh its cost.

Knowing the structural problems of the property gives the home buyer the leverage to negotiate for a lower price. It also protects you from buying a property that would need huge sums of money for repairs.

Home repairs associated with construction problems are costly, and buyers need to identify these problems before purchasing a home to avoid getting trapped into absorbing these expenses. Home inspections will also point out safety issues in the property and recommend steps on how these need to be addressed.

Home inspections will cover the following areas: drainage and water problems, foundation and structure, roof, kitchen, bathrooms, interior structures, electrical, plumbing, insulation and furnace. It will cover inside and outside the property. The home inspection report made after the inspection will outline areas that need to be addressed immediately, as well as those which may be problematic in the future.

Home buyers can undertake the repairs themselves or seek the help of a contractor who can do the work for the lowest prices Your real estate agent should then be informed of the costs of repairs which can be used to lower the buying price of the property. Ask your real estate agent for his recommendations or a list of certified home inspectors that he highly recommends. You can trust your agent to help you with this aspect.

However, the home owner may opt to undertake the repairs himself so that the decrease won't be as big as expected.

In summary the benefits of a home inspection would include: structural and home safety evaluation; and assessment of repair costs.

Since you are looking at these benefits you should be certain that you hire a professional home inspector who has several years of experience. He should be someone you can rely on. Remember that you will have to trust the expertise of this person on what could be your next home. To dispel your apprehensions you can interview the home inspector and ask him questions about his background as an inspector, including his affiliations to any national associations; what would the inspection include?; how long will the job take to finish?; how much is the cost of inspection?; and can you come during the inspection? If the inspector doesn't want you to witness the inspection this is a big warning sign- so don't hire this person. Don't forget to ask how soon he can make the report after he finishes the job.

There are home inspection checklists available online which you could use as a guide when interviewing the home inspector. Check out these lists as well to ensure that you only hire a qualified person for the job. Home inspections can save home buyers money, but it would all depend on how good a job the inspector you hire does.

Hiring an agent who charges low real estate commissions can also save you a great deal of money. Why take the risk of diving blindly into real estate when you can get the services of a professional agent at a very competitive price. You might end up spending more when you attempt to buy a home on your own, or get so stressed out by the whole exercise. Looking for a certified home inspector who can be trusted can prove to be a daunting task. But an agent can help you out with this, and with all the other details of the purchase. In Brampton, you can check out Vic Singh and his services.*