Home Inspections
Since buying a home is one, if not the most important purchase you will ever make in your life, you should do every thing possible to make sure it is in excellent condition. To ensure the condition of a home you should get the home inspected by a trained expert who does a comprehensive and objective look at the entire property you want to buy. You should make sure the inspector looks at the physical condition including the construction, mechanical systems, and the structure. Make sure the inspector points out all the items that need to be replaced or repaired. Make sure you have the inspector tell you how long the major systems like equipment, electrical, heating/air conditioning, and plumbing will last, as well as the homes structure and finishes. One thing you do need to keep in mind though is that the inspector can not give you an estimate on the value of the home. After the inspection is completed make sure you receive a comprehensive written report. You should receive the complete report of all the findings sometime in the next few weeks, and keep it for your own personal records. Lastly, you should make sure that the sale of the home is dependent on your personal satisfaction with the results of the home inspector’s comprehensive report.
You have to keep in mind that a home inspection is not an appraisal. An appraisal is a document that provides you with the estimate of the property’s actual market value at the current time. Lenders will usually require an appraisal before they will approve your loan, where as home inspections are done specifically for the home buyers. Appraisals are done for a few different reasons. One is to estimate the property’s market value at the current time. Second is to make sure that the property will meet Federal Housing Administration (FHA) property standards and requirements dealing with health and safety. Third is to make sure that the property is actually marketable.
If you decide to have your home inspected then you should make sure that you find the most qualified inspector in your area. There are several different places you can find a qualified inspector. Several states require that home inspectors get licensed, so you should check your particular state’s regulatory authorities. There are also several professional organizations that require home inspectors to meet minimum qualifications including passing certain tests in order to become a member, so you could check with them. You can also look through the yellow pages in your phone book for home inspection services or building inspection services. The Internet is also a good place to look, but make sure the company you choose is legit before agreeing to anything. If you used a real estate agent to find your home they should also be able to tell you about several recommended home inspectors in the area.
It is now recommended that you should also have your home tested for radon gas. A home inspector is not going to test for radon gas so you will have to make a separate telephone call. You should make sure that in your contract it states that the sale of the home is dependent on your personal satisfaction of the results of the radon gas test.
