How About a Home Inspection? Do We need one? You Bet!

Just a few short Years ago, home inspections were virtually unheard of in a residential real estate transaction.
Buyers then would rely only on their own judgement of the home and the representations of the seller's real estate agent. Today it is a different ballgame. Dramatically different!

Included in the Agreement For sale is a clause giving the buyer the right to order one or more professional home inspections before completing the purchase.


Your Realtor will recommend several well-qualified home inspectors. The tricky part is selecting the best candidates among the group. Here are seven points to consider:

1. Qualifications. Ask open-ended questions about the inspector's training and experience as it relates to home inspections. The inspector should have some training in construction and building maintenance standards and a track-record of experience in the home inspection business. Depending on the location and age of the home, you may need to hire an inspector who's qualified to deal with asbestos, lead-based paint or other potentially hazardous substances. In some cases you may also require a structural engineer.

2. Exactly What Is Covered in This Inspection? Make sure up front what is and is not covered in the inspection Ask the inspector which parts of the property are and are not - included in the inspection. Will this inspector check out the roof? How about the swimming pool? How about the built- in appliances?
A bay front property will need a separate inspection for the bulkhead.

3. Ask to see a sample of the report. Ask the inspector to provide a sample of his checklist or inspection report. Will his report include a narrative description or just check-off boxes? Is the information presented and explained clearly and completely? Does the report highlight and summarize any problems that could present a safety hazard?

4. References. Request names and telephone numbers of several homeowners who have used his services. Call those people . Wouldn’t be a bad idea to talk to some people who have owned their home for a few months or longer. Some problems overlooked by an inspection can take a while to surface.


5. Qualifications. Is he licensed? Many good inspectors don't belong to a national or state association of home inspectors. However, all else being equal, an association membership is a plus. These groups provide their members with training and certification programs and up-to-date information about industry practices and inspection standards.

6. What happen If he misses something? Even top-notch inspectors are only human and can make errors or overlook problems they probably should have noticed. What is the company's policy in such situations? Does the company have insurance for errors and omissions? Will the inspector or his company stand behind the report? Many companies ask customers to sign a waiver limiting the company's liability to the cost of the inspection.
7. An excellent idea is a pre-listing home inspection. Talk to your sellers about the value of a thorough evaluation by a professional inspector to help get a property into tip-top shape. It’s tempting for owners to assume that they know everything about a home’s condition. But even sellers in a house for 25 years may not realize they’ve been living with a dangerous electrical outlet or plumbing leaks. Taking care of problems early offers a competitive edge.



Hope this information is helpful to you! If you have any questions, or need more information, please e-mail me at http://Nancy@NancyMAlexander.com
call me...... I Love To Talk Real Estate!
800.708.5792
Nancy M. Alexander CRS,GRI ,e-PRO

http://Nancy@NancyMAlexander.com
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CONTENTS COPYRIGHT NANCY M. ALEXANDER 2008