A home inspection is one of the most important parts of any home buying experience. The inspection is a cost out of pocket and up front which many buyers do not like. However, it is a must do in my opinion. It can mean the difference between a great deal and a dud. Many buyers do not realize the importance of a home inspection.

Not only is having a home inspection an important aspect of the home buying process, but so to is picking the proper person to inspect your home. You should never hire the first person you find online. You should do some research into the person and their quality of work. You should ask what they actually inspect. Not all home inspectors are created equal. You should also ask them for a sample inspection report prior to hiring them to inspect your prospective house. You should get samples from several different inspectors before picking the one you want to use. Many inspectors do things many different ways. Some are in and out of a house in as little as 30 minutes, while others are there for over 3 hours. The more detail an inspector goes in, the more you will know about your home. Some inspectors check only a few outlets or a few smoke alarms. You want to make sure that the one you hire checks every single one. You want to be certain that the house has no defects before it’s too late. Inspectors also have different certifications. You want to make sure that the inspector you hire is a member of ASHI.

Attending a home inspection if you are a prospective buyer is an extremely important aspect. Home inspections do more than just tell you about if something works or not. They also tell you the location of certain things that will be important once you move in a home. Case in point, I was representing the buyers in a transaction on a home. The home had the thermostat for the AC/Heater in the master bedroom closet, which then rendered half of the closet unusable if you wanted to be able to change the temperature of the house. All houses are not built the same, so you want to make sure that your house is just how you want it before you purchase it.

Another thing an inspection can do is tell you the age of the components of the house. If the house has an older AC unit or furnace then you know they will need to be replaced early on in your ownership. Where as if the AC or furnace are newer, you know the odds are that they will last a while. Knowing these numbers before you purchase a home is critical to buying a house and being happy after you make your purchase.

The bottom line for a home inspection is this: It may cost you $350 up front, but that $350 could save you thousands or even tens of thousands later on. It is important when making a purchase of such magnitude that you be thoroughly informed on what you are buying.