Inspection is Critical Part of Buying a Home !

After crunching the numbers, searching your favorite neighborhood, and weighing the pros and cons of each property you have toured, you've chosen a house that seems like the perfect fit for you.  While it may be "perfect" when it comes to location, price or features, it's now time for you to find out about the home's imperfections before you hand over hard-earned cash.

No matter how much time you spend looking over the home, you're probably not qualified to perform an assessment of every aspect of it before you commit to its purchase.  Houses are composed of many complicated components, such as heating and cooling systems, electrical wiring, plumbing, a roof, siding and much more.  A licensed home inspector can provide a good assessment of the overall condition of the house and its parts.  As a buyer, here's what you need to know about getting a home inspection.

What is a home inspection?

A home inspection is a visual examination of the structure and systems of your home.  A typical inspection covers the electrical, heating, and air-conditioning systems, plumbing, roof, interior walls and ceilings, insulation, windows, fireplace and chimney, appliances and foundation.

Why should I get an inspection?                                                                                                                                      

Once you're armed with an inspection report from a qualified inspector, you can make a more informed decision about purchasing, which may mean you proceed with the transaction as planned, ask the seller to make some repairs on concessions or terminate the sales contract.

Even if a seller has already performed an inspection, it might be in your best interest to have a buyer's inspection completed.  Your inspector can confirm the seller's inspection report or may find additional items that might need attention.

When should I have the inspection?

You will want to contact a home inspector right after you sign a purchase contract.  That way you can schedule the inspection before the contract's termination option period expires.  this approach enables you to follow up on any problems uncovered by the inspector.  And if you find something you can't live with, you're within your rights to terminate the contract without penalty. The time to find an inspector, though, is before you sign a contract on a house.  Your Realtor can assist with finding a licensed inspector.

A home inspector's job is to find problems, not fix them.  Further examination and repairs should be performed by qualified (usually licensed) technicians.  You may also want a specialist to further inspect a questionable item such as a foundation, hot tub or pool.

It's unlike likely that you'll find a home without any problems - even newly constructed properties might have flaws.  Even so, a home inspection can make you a better-informed homebuyer.  Once you know the condition of your dream house, you and your Realtor can discuss how to proceed.