Are you thinking about buying a new house?

Are you thinking of buying a house? There are a few things to remember before you become too attached. Keep in mind that it’s important to have your potential home inspected by a professional home inspector. An appraisal is helpful to find out how much the home is worth but it’s only through the home inspection that  you’ll discover if the home requires minor or major repairs. Any work required for the foundation, heating and cooling system, plumbing or electrical systems, could prove to be very expensive. Having this information in advance can give you some negotiating power, or give you an good reason to back out of the agreement.
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You should have the home inspected before you sign your purchase agreement but if you cannot you should at least make sure there is a clause in your contract that the sale of the house is contingent on the positive outcome of the home inspection. A certified home inspector will perform a comprehensive inspection of the home, and provide you a detailed report of their findings.

As a buyer:

• Plan to be present to get a firsthand explanation of the inspector’s findings.
• You get to choose your own home inspector. Get recommendations from people you know and trust.
• Visit the American Society of Home Inspectors site online to find an expert in your area.
• Double check your contract to make sure you have an inspection contingency clause that says your final purchase obligation depends on the results of a professional home inspection.
• Prepare a list of any questions or concerns you have about the property and give the list to the inspector.
• A typical inspection lasts two to three hours long.
• After the inspection is complete, the inspector will prepare an extensive written report for your review.
• Expect imperfections, every home has flaws.
• If major problems are discovered, you have the right to ask the seller to make repairs, or reduce the sale price, if you still want to purchase the home.