We Advice and Educate Wisely

Even experienced home buyers sometimes make this rookie mistake. They assume that because a home has passed all local codes and ordinances, it must be in good shape. Don’t assume your builder or the contractors did everything right just because the home passed code. An inspector is your last line of defense against major defects that could quite literally sink your financial future.

When you choose an inspector, you’re selecting the professional who will give one of your biggest investments a full physical checkup out the choose someone you know who is competent, thorough and trustworthy. Unfortunately, too many buyers just go with the cheapest inspection company or the one remine mended by their Realtor. If you want a referral from your real estate agent, ask for two or three different names, then interview each one to determine who you most comfortable with. Alwas ask about licensing professional affillations and credentials, and whether the inspector carries errors and omissions insurance.

The written report you get from the inspector doesn’t give you nearly as clear a picture of the condition of the house as you might think, buyers who don’t go along on the inspection can overemphasize minor problems, or worse.

Sometimes, buyers don’t follow up on items discovered in the inspection before they close. Often inspectors will recommend buyers get an issue evaluated further, but the buyers wait to do it until after closing. If buyers wait to have a system evaluated until after closing, it can turn out to be more expensive or a bigger deal than what they anticipated. Buyers should always get several estimates on repairs before closing, and you should feel comfortable calling your inspector to discuss these estimates. The inspector may be able to share some insight into the contractors suggestions.

No matter how experienced or skilled your home inspector is, he can’t see the future. Sometimes, optimistic home buyers think a system still has a few good years just because there aren’t visible signs of malfunction at the time of inspection. A home inspector can tell you that an air conditioning system like the one in the home you’re buying usually only lasts 10 years, and yours is 11 years old. But he can’t tell you when it will fail. That’s when you need to follow up with people who know more about each specific system about which you have questions. And remember, the home inspector is hired by you. He’s there to give you an honest, straight opinion about the house.