Few
of us would consider buying a used car without first having a
mechanic look it over, or at least taking it out for a test
drive. Yet that is exactly what many buyers do when buying a
resale home. They often fail to have a professional home
inspection performed on the home they are interested in, even
though it is probably the largest and most important investment
they will ever make.
Fortunately, there is a growing industry of home inspectors
to fill this gap. Unless you are an expert, it is highly
unlikely that you will catch a home's minor, or sometimes even
major, problems during a typical house viewing. This is why it
is important to obtain a professional unbiased second opinion
before making such an important decision.
Top 10 most common problems found
by Home Inspectors
A good home inspector will give you an unbiased assessment of
the structural and mechanical soundness of the home. He or she
will identify any existing or potential problem areas, and give
an overview of the condition of the foundation, basement, roof,
windows, doors, walls, ceilings, floors, plumbing, electrical,
heating & cooling systems. The best inspectors will also
make suggestions on how to solve any problems they discover and
give a general estimate of possible costs.
A Home Inspection is the best way to 'test drive' your new
home. It allows you to make your purchase with confidence. It
avoids nasty surprises once the deal has closed, and it offers
the chance to rethink or renegotiate an offer if serious
concerns do arise.
When hiring a home inspector, make sure of the following:
- That they are well established and have the required
experience and credentials.
- That they are independent and unbiased - they have no
affiliation with any firms that might create a conflict of
interest.
- That they will provide a thorough written report of their
findings.
- That they stand behind their work. What warranties do they
provide?
- That they are members of a professional association, such
as ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors), NANB
(National Association of Home Builders) or ICBO
(International Conference of Building Officials).