Before You Buy a Home Hire a Home Inspector!

When You Find a Home That You Like

Ready to buy a home? Before signing that contract, you absolutely need to hire a home inspector to inspect it. It seems pretty straightforward and easy: find a home you like, hire a certified home inspector to inspect it, and then the final offer depends on the results of the inspection. But, as is typical in real estate, it’s not always as simple as that. The trick is finding a home inspector who will do the job properly. You’d think that wouldn’t be a problem, but unfortunately home inspection is one of those areas that attracts questionable practices and shady characters who prey on people ready to buy a home.

Ready to Buy a Home? Do Your Homework First!

Once you find a home to buy you should already have done the research you need to find a home inspector. There are a number of ways to go about this. Searching for home inspectors who have a good rating on Angie’s List is one place to start. You can also try the American Society of Home Inspectors (www.ASHI.org). It is probably not a good idea to use a home inspector who is referred by your real estate agent, though.Real estate agents have a vested interest in a passing grade for the houses they are representing, which could present a conflict of interest for a home inspector. It is best to avoid any potential for temptation to result in a dishonest home inspection by finding a home inspector on your own, independent of your Real Estate Agent.

When You Find a Home Inspector

Once you have found a home inspector yourself, without help from a real estate agent or broker, the next step is to check to see if they have been the subject of complaints. You can check the Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List and also your state regulatory agency that oversees licensing for home inspectors. This is a crucial step in the process of buying a home! Make sure the home inspector is thorough; ask what they look for when they inspect the home. If you can afford it, it could be worth having a second home inspector take a look at the same home, especially if it is a very expensive home. Bay Area Real Estate isn’t cheap!

Selling a Home?

If you have a home for sale, it might also benefit you to find a home inspector to go over your home, too. Knowing what a home buyer’s inspector might turn up can help you address it beforehand and save you from having to accept a low offer. If there are discrepancies between what your inspector finds and what the home buyer’s inspector finds, you will have cause to request a third home inspection. All of this home inspection activity may seem excessive, but when you consider what’s at stake, potentially tens of thousands of dollars, it’s worth doing. Also sell income property, residential lots and mobile home.