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Home Inspections
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WHAT IS A "HOME INSPECTION" & WHY DO I NEED IT?

Relocating families are sometimes pressed for time and require home buying decisions to be made quickly. Having a third party professional to inspect the home that you are planing on buying offers peace of mind.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A HOME INSPECTOR ?

Experience:
There is never a substitute for experience; however a lack of experience is not a sign that the inspector is not qualified. Ask questions. Get suggestions from your relocation coordinator or real estate broker.

Training:
Some inspectors have gone through rigorous hands-on training while others have not. You want to know whether they have been in the construction trades for a while.

Association Membership:
Presumably, companies belonging to professional and trade organizations keep up to date with the developments in their field and ought to be more diligent about their work. It is important to know the changes in the city's codes and building requirements.

There are several National Home Inspection organizations:

  • (ASHI) American Society of Home Inspectors
  • (NAHI) National Association of Home Inspectors
  • (NABIE) National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers
  • (CREIA) California Real Estate Inspection Association

Their are several other local organizations that provide support for the Home Inspectors in a certain state or region.   It is important that the inspectors belong to an association and abide by a set of guidelines that require professionalism in the industry. 

Liability Insurance:
Does the inspector carry Professional Liability Insurance (Errors and Omissions Insurance). Make sure you ask for a copy of their liability insurance policy.  If you ever need to collect on a legal judgement the inspector's insurance policy will be able to pay on your claim.  An inspector without insurance my not be able to pay your claim.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL HOME INSPECTION INCLUDE ?

WHAT WILL A TYPICAL HOME INSPECTION COST ?

CAN I DO AN INSPECTION MYSELF ?
Of course, that's up to you.

WHEN PURCHASING A HOME - WHEN SHOULD I CALL FOR A HOME INSPECTION? 

You can call for a home inspection as soon as you have signed the purchase agreement. You can negotiate to have the contract contingent upon a receiving a satisfactory inspection report.

WHAT IF THE INSPECTION REPORT REVEALS PROBLEMS?

It is unlikely that a home inspection will not reveal problems. This includes new construction as well as resale homes. However, you want your home inspector to be able to identify costly problems. The smaller issues can be negotiated with the seller and possibly repaired before closing.

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