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Whether you are buying or
selling a home, you should have a professional
home inspection performed.
A home inspection will look
at the systems that make up the building such
as:
Structural elements, walls, framing etc
Appliances
Heating, air conditioning
Plumbing systems
Roofing
Foundation
Electrical systems
Cosmetic condition, paint, siding etc
Why Buyers Should Obtain A Home Inspection
If you are buying a home,
you need to know exactly what you are getting. A
home inspection, performed by a professional
home inspector, will reveal any hidden problems
with the home so that they may be addressed
BEFORE the deal is closed. You should require an
inspection at the time you make a formal offer.
Make sure the contract has an inspection
contingency. Then, hire your own inspector and
pay close attention to the inspection report. If
you arent comfortable with what he finds, you
should kill the deal.
Why Sellers Should Obtain A "Pre-Listing" Home Inspection
Likewise, if you are
selling a home, you want to know about such
potential hidden problems before your house goes
on the market. Almost all contracts include the
condition that the contract is contingent upon
completion of a satisfactory inspection. And
most buyers are going to insist that the
inspection be a professional home inspection,
usually by an inspector they hire. If the buyers
inspector finds a problem, it can cause the
buyer to get cold feet and the deal can often
fall through. At best, surprise problems
uncovered by the buyers inspector will cause
delays in closing, and usually you will have to
pay for repairs at the last minute, or take a
lower price on your home.
It's better to pay for your
own inspection before putting your home on the
market. Find out about any hidden problems and
correct them in advance. Otherwise, you can
count on the buyers inspector finding them, at
the worst possible
time.
How to Select A Home Inspector
Buying a home is probably the most expensive purchase you will ever make.
Not taking the time to select a qualified inspector could cost you thousands.
How to find a qualified home inspector? The home inspector should be a licensed Caligfornia general contractor. The home inspector should also have had a formal classroom training by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).
The home inspector you select should also be a member of NACHI (National Association of Certified Home Inspectors), ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors), NAHI National Society of Home Inspectors, and follow their Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Your Home Inspector should be independent from the Realtor and the other parties involved in the transaction.
The home inspector should spend at least 2 hours inspecting the property---preferably 3-4 hours to conduct a thorough inspection. The home inspector should be pointing out observed defects/problems to you as the inspection is occurring. provide you with an easy to read and understand printed Home Inspection Report. One way to determine if your home inspector is up to date technologically, see if they have an informative web site, e-mail, text messaging, if you can receive the complete report via the internet and if you can schedule appointments over the internet.
It may take a little research to find the right professional to assist you, but it is worth the investment of time.
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