Get a home inspection when buying

Sun., Nov. 13, 2005

Don Walker The Spokane Association of REALTORS®

Going to be buying a home? Good for you. Homeownership is important in many ways — from independence in the way you wish to live to building a nest egg that can be available when needed. Homes also tend to increase in value. These are all good things. One item of utmost importance when you find the home you wish to live in is to get a home inspection before you purchase.

An inspection is for your own good. Home inspections give you — the buyer — detailed information on potential or real problems of that dream home. You want to make a wise decision about the purchase. A qualified inspector takes an in-depth, unbiased look at your potential home.

The inspector will evaluate the physical condition of the home by checking its structure, construction and mechanical systems. Inspectors also will identify items in the home that may need to be repaired or replaced.

Also, they will estimate the useful life of the major systems, equipment, structure and finishes such as painting, etc. Sometimes buyers get confused between a home inspector and a home appraiser.

As part of the Federal Housing Administration’s role of insuring your loan, they require the lender to conduct an appraisal. The lender does the appraisal to estimate the value of a house, to make sure that the house meets minimum health and safety standards and to make sure the house is marketable.

Appraisals are for lenders while home inspections are designed for buyers. The first step in getting a home inspection is to call a qualified home inspector who is experienced in evaluating home construction, proper installation of construction materials and maintenance. They know what they are looking for because qualified home inspectors have performed hundreds of home inspections and know what to look for in checking out structures.

Where do you find a qualified home inspector? You can let your fingers walk through the Yellow Pages to check “Building Inspection Service” or “Home Inspection Service.”

The bottom line is that a home inspection is a good investment to help you make what is probably the biggest investment of your life. Before you sign the contract, it is wise to make sure you are aware of the physical condition of the home in order to make a wise decision.

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