Home Inspection

A Complete Home Physical

Even if you've looked in every nook and cranny of the home you want to buy, I believe it's crucial for you to protect yourself by having a home inspection conducted prior to closing. A professional assessment by a reputable home inspector will uncover any problems (large or small), alerting you to any needed repairs and updates. With my help, you may even be able to negotiate for repair or replacement of items before the purchase is complete.

You'll have the opportunity to bring in a home inspector of your choosing once you go into contract. The inspector will perform a comprehensive evaluation of the home and property, doing everything from testing outlets and faucets; to identifying signs of dampness, termites or carbon monoxide; to making sure walls are strong and windows are secure.

Hire an inspector you can count on

If you don't already have a particular inspector in mind, ask someone you trust for a reference. The inspection will cost several hundred dollars (actual cost depends on the size of the property and complexity of the report), so it's important that you feel confident about the person conducting it and the quality of his/her work. In fact, I am a good resource for home inspection references, as I have worked with a number of quality inspectors.

Be sure to choose an inspector who can provide proof of membership in the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). Even though home inspection is fairly unregulated in many states, ASHI-certified inspectors meet stringent requirements and abide by a strong Code of Ethics.

It's best to schedule your home inspection during daylight hours. If possible, you should attend; expect it to last from 2-4 hours, depending on the size of the home. And feel free to ask questions of the inspector - the more you know about your potential new home, the better.

Take care of repairs

The inspector should deliver a written report within one or two days. It's perfectly normal to have a handful of small issues that need attention or repair. Work with your Real Living agent to decide which of these to ask the seller to handle or pay for, and which you'll handle yourself.

Here are a few sample repairs and their associated costs:

Even if your home inspector finds no serious problems, the inspection can pay off indirectly. In addition to identifying immediate-need repairs, you'll be alerted to future maintenance issues as well. It's always good to know up-front what to expect, and how much such repairs could cost.