Buying a house is the biggest one-time investment you are ever going to make. So you want to make sure that the house is in an inhabitable condition.
Even if there are any problems, you would like to become aware of them and solve them. Cue – Home Inspections!
A professional home inspector will carry out a detailed inspection of your potential home and then provide you with a report.
Sounds pretty straightforward, right? And it is, once you know what to expect.
How To Choose A Home Inspector
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Get References
Hiring a home inspector can be daunting since you will be resting the fate of you buying the house in their hands (in a way). They inform you of the state of the house and thus play a big role in your decision-making process. Getting references from at least 3 of the inspector’s previous clients is a good way to determine the standard of their inspections. It will also make it easy for you to trust them.
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Research their Credentials
Since there are no federal standards for home inspectors and different states have different rules, find out which association your inspector belongs to and what his/her credentials are. Some associations make it mandatory for their employees to have a certain level of training, experience, and also pass some exams. Ask for any certifications that you can research and be assured of their level of expertise.
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Know Exactly what the Inspection Covers
There are different kinds of home inspections; some of which cover only certain aspects of the house and others which are exhaustive. Consider your requirements and choose the one suited to you. Make sure to find out which parts of the house are covered, what they check, how in-depth they analyze, and what your role during the inspection will be. Ask thorough questions.
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Ask for a Sample Report
Home Inspector’s reports may contain a lot of jargon that you may not understand, or they might not describe the problem (for example, addressing all elements of the house with 3 ratings – poor, fair, good and no explanations) which will not help you make sense of the report. Ask for a sample report and understand how the inspector will be reporting to you. They should be describing the problems (if any) in detail and also the recommended repairs and estimated cost for the same.
Conclusion
“Take time for all things. Great haste makes
great waste” – Benjamin Franklin
Buying a house is a big decision to make. Home Inspections play a crucial role in this decision. It is best that you do not depend on others and make this decision on your own.
Research, discuss, understand, and when you’re 100% sure, go for it!
