Advice On Working With A Home Inspector

by jtrombetti

posted on 05/24/2009

If you're investing in a new home, the home will be inspected. An inspector is important because he or she will look for problems that could potentially be hidden by a rug, or paint or any number of strategies that prevent the truth from coming out.

An inspector will check the house from chimney to basement -- look at the roof and the foundation, examine the plumbing, ventilation, doors, windows, heating and cooling systems and more. The insulation will be inspected as will the physical state of the structure.

To get the best and the most home for your money, the inspector you hire should be totally qualified to do the job right. To be an inspector you might be certified and insured. Ask the inspector how long he or she has been in the business, because - obviously - the longer the better. Make sure that the inspector is not associated with a real estate agent connected with selling the home. This could lead to covering up some minor or major flaws in order to make the sale.

Ask family and friends for referrals, but always interview more than one inspector before you hire anyone. You can ask for a sample inspection and compare fees, as well as look over the various contracts they present.

Make sure that you go with the inspector and take a pad of paper and pen to make notes of your own, and don't be afraid to point out what you see as problems. Ask lots of questions because a good inspector will have all the answers.

Make sure that all the findings during the inspection are given to you in a written report with major defects clearly identified and defined. This will be your bible as you decide whether or not it is worth it for you to buy the house and pay the price being asked.

Being in the know (totally) will allow you to (if you're still interested in a house with problems) to wheel and deal with the seller to reduce the asking price or to insist that certain repairs be made before you commit to purchase.

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