In spite of numerous consumer affairs articles published over the years,
many people still make the mistake of buying a home without having it inspected. Investing
the better part of ones life savings without knowing the property's true condition is a
terrible mistake.
Hire a professional home inspector. Not just a local builder or electrician. Get a report
on the condition of the home and the systems in it. |
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If
there are problems then you should:
1- Ask the seller to fix them.
2- Ask for a suitable price reduction.
3- Find another Home.
A qualified home inspector routinely evaluates all visible building components, from the
roof to the foundation, including the plumbing, heating, and electrical systems. Also
covered are fireplaces, built-in appliances, drainage conditions, overall safety, and much
more. In addition, a knowledgeable inspector provides valuable suggestions for preventive
maintenance.
Considering the high cost of real estate today, an inspection fee is a small price to pay.
It can save thousands of dollars and years of regret.
But make no mistake a thorough inspection can shield you from costly discoveries after the
close of escrow. It's one of the best consumer protection services available.
Every home, regardless of age or quality, harbors a small, medium, or large list of
defective conditions; some obvious; some only apparent to those who know how and where to
look. When you hire an experienced, qualified home inspector, there is no question as to
whether unknown defects will be found; but rather what, where, and how serious, dangerous,
or expensive the defects will turn out to be.
Most homebuyers spend fifteen minutes to an hour walking through a home prior to making an
offer. At best, this provides a general impression of the overall physical condition. But
what about foundations and structural framing, attic construction, insulation,
ventilation, and roof conditions. These are just a few of the hundreds of considerations
included in a home inspection.
Above all, let's not forget building safety. An inspector can alert you to red flag issues
involving the electrical wiring and fixtures, fireplaces and chimneys, gas fixtures such
as furnaces, water heaters, cooktops, and ovens, railings at staircases and decks,
tempered safety glass in required locations, and automatic reverse of garage door openers.
Furthermore, an inspector can forewarn you of problems involving faulty ground drainage,
defective plumbing, substandard construction, firewall compliance, building settlement,
leakage, general deterioration, inoperative fixtures, and so much more.
A Real Estate Agent understands this process and the importance of equipping the Buyer to
make an informed purchase decision. An Agent should be working to protect your financial
interests. With a detailed home inspection, you will know what you are buying, before you
buy it. And that could save you thousands of dollars and years of regret.
Home inspection fees vary widely. The price of a quality inspection generally falls
between $250 and $350. A home is the most expensive commodity you are likely to purchase
in a lifetime. One defect missed by your inspector could cost 100 times what you save with
a bargain inspection. The best method of price shopping is to shop for quality.
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