It is without a doubt one of the most expensive purchases you’ll make. It can also be a stressful time since you can find yourself crunching the numbers, negotiating offers, adding up closing costs, shopping for mortgages, and trying to get the best deals possible. Once you have made your choice and your offer has been accepted, the contract usually gives you a few days to inspect the property and make sure you want to go through with it. Even if the home is being sold “AS IS” it is always a good idea to get an inspection so you can know exactly what you are getting into.
My job as a home inspector is to help you understand the exact condition of the property so that you can make a better informed decision at the time of purchase. As a home Inspector I will examine every visible feature of the home with emphasis on the main components such as the structure, the roof/attic, the air conditioning system, plumbing, electrical, foundation & crawlspace, as well as the windows, doors, switches, outlets, doors etc..
I understand that during this time you might want to keep your expenses to a minimum. However, do not hire an inspector based on his/her fee alone. It is in your best interest to thoroughly research an inspector in order to make sure you will receive the best value for your hard-earned money. An experienced home inspector will normally cost a little bit more, but rest assured our knowledge and understanding of home structures will provide you with much needed peace of mind during this chaotic time.
At the same time, it can also save you from buying a home with hidden problems that could cost you thousands of dollars to repair. For example, I once inspected a home that had been completely renovated. Every room in the house had been updated and looked immaculate. The potential buyer was thinking about skipping the inspection because everything looked to be in great shape. Well, lucky for them, they decided to hire me to do a full inspection of the home and what I found when I inspected the attic was both surprising and a bit scary.
Upon close inspection of the attic, I discovered that a main structural beam had been removed from the attic support system during the renovation and therefore part of the ceiling of the home was not properly supported! In order to have this corrected a mechanical engineer and an architect needed to be consulted. Can you imagine moving your family under a roof that is not properly supported?
Neither can I. This is part of the reason I do my job with passion. I love my family and want to protect them from any possible harm, as I am sure all of you feel the same way. Sadly, there are people out there who will not give a second thought about anyone else’s family’s wellbeing. This is only one example of many that I have witnessed during my many years inspecting properties. Please do your research when hiring a home inspector and don’t let anyone talk you into skimping here. Your and your family’s wellbeing could be at risk.
InterNACHI-Certified Master inspectors are the most qualified inspectors by far.
To learn more about what a Certified Master Inspector is you can go to: https://certifiedmasterinspector.org/
Recent Comments