hat Does a Home mechanical problems with the
Inspector Do?
house.
In short, an inspector checks the How to find a home inspector:
safety and functionality of your
potential home. Inspectors focus * Ask a friend or coworker who
primarily on the structural and has recently bought a home in the
mechanical aspects of the home. area.
Get a home inspection as soon as * Ask your agent if he or she can
possible after the sellers accept recommend a qualified inspector.
your offer. Make the contract
contingent upon the home * Visit the American Society of
inspection. That way, if the Home Inspectors website:
inspection uncovers a major flaw www.ashi.org.
that you're unwilling to accept,
you have a legal way out of the * Visit the National Association
contract. of Home Inspectors website:
www.nahi.org.
Don't confuse the home inspection
with the home appraisal. The home Is a Home Inspection Worth the
appraisal protects the lender's Price?
financial interests. The home
inspection protects you, the Consider this. Home inspections
buyer. The appraisal is the usually run between $200 and
bank's way of determining whether $400. Weigh that small cost
or not the house is worth the against the comfort of moving
price you've agreed to pay. The into a known situation, and the
inspection is your way of answer is obvious ... get a home
identifying structural or inspection!
1. The seller will agree to fix
The List: all of the items.
2. The seller will agree to fix
Your home inspector will go some of the items.
through your home with a 3. The seller won't agree to fix
fine-toothed comb. So be present any of the items.
for the inspection - you'll learn 4. The seller will reduce the
a lot. Afterward, the inspector price in lieu of certain repairs.
will make a list of
discrepancies. Some items won't
be a big deal to you, but it's How you proceed in light of the
still the inspector's job to seller's response is up to you
point them out. But other items and your agent. A good rule of
will be more serious, and these thumb -- don't ever turn a blind
are the items you should discuss eye to a major repair issue just
with your agent. because you're excited about
getting in the house. If you're
Who's Fixing What? an experienced investor and
you're buying the house
When you review the inspector's specifically to fix it up, that's
list with your agent, you'll have one thing. But if you're buying
to decide which items (if any) your first home, be conservative
you want the sellers to repair. and carefully consider each item
Like nearly everything else in on the inspector's list. It will
the home-buying process, the benefit you in the long run.
fix-it list is negotiable. When
you submit your list of requested Summary:
repairs to the sellers, you face
one of several outcomes: Hire an inspector to review your
prospective new home for
potential problems. The peace of on the list. Consider your
mind you'll get is well worth the ability (or inability) to make
cost you'll pay. Review the the repairs yourself, vice having
inspector's list with your agent the sellers repair them.
and carefully consider each item
About the Author:
Brandon Cornett is the editor of http://HomeBuyingInstitute.com, one of the Internet's largest and most respected libraries of home buying information -- more than 100 expert articles in 12 different home buying categories! Put this knowledge to use by visiting http://www.HomeBuyingInstitute.com.
Source: www.isnare.com
