Why do I need a home inspection?

The purchase of a home is one of the biggest investments people will make in their lifetimes. A home inspection helps ensure home buyers of the quality of their investments by making them aware of its condition and alerting them to any concerns.

Some benefits of a home inspection are:

• Knowledge: Understanding exactly what you're buying - old or new
• Peace of mind: Helps in making a sound buying decision
• Savings: Reveals the need for repairs or replacements before you buy
• Fewer surprises: Limits the number of problems you may discover after you move in
• Education: Gives you invaluable details about your new home in addition to information about the condition of the property. You'll learn where the main shutoff valves to the utilities are located, how the house operates and more!

How do I find a good home inspector?
Selecting the wrong company could cost you thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs. Consider the following when shopping for home inspection companies.

• Experience: How much experience does the inspector have and how has he/she been in the business? The best home inspectors have been in business for years and have seen thousands of homes.
• Home Inspection Training: Have the inspectors gone through any extensive home inspection training? In many states inspectors, can simply call themselves home inspectors without any training or licensing.
• Association Membership: Companies that are affiliated with professional organizations are serious about what they do and know about all the new developments in their fields. Some well-known trade associations are: American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI). Inspectors in your area can be located through these associations.
• Liability Insurance: Does the inspector carry Professional Liability Insurance (Errors and Omissions Insurance)? If you ever need to collect on a legal judgment, an inspector without insurance my not be able to pay your claim.

What if I'm buying a newly constructed home?
An inspection on a new home is important for the buyer to level the playing field. A home inspector is better able to see nuances that may not be readily visible to an untrained eye. You also need an inspector to offset the builder's or contractor's interest. Much of the information about homes is either taken for granted by people or remains unfound.

For newly constructed homes, an inspection of the house before the drywall is installed, otherwise known as a "preclosure inspection", provides a level of quality assurance for the buyer. This inspection gives you a better chance of identifying and correcting potential problems when they are much easier and less expensive to fix. For example, this inspection may prevent the need for moving a wall so that kitchen cabinets don't protrude into a doorway opening, or moving electrical receptacles so they are placed where you need them

If you have any questions please feel free to give me a call or email me @ jwilbur@cbunited.com