The next time you need a home inspection remember these simple tips on what to ask and what to look for.
When buying a new house, its all to easy to get enamored with all the pretty new features, the shiny granite, the glistening new appliances in the kitchen and the new mosaic tiles in the master bathroom. But don’t fall in love too fast because more often than not, there is more to the house than what you first see. Not checking the house out carefully, could end you up in a house that is a money pit, where you spend most of your spare time and money fixing the problems with your new house.
 
But how are you supposed to know if a house has foundation problems, faulty or old wiring, bad pipes or a plethora of other hidden problems that you would not know about or even consider? 
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Two words: Home Inspection
It is extremely important that you get your house inspected as soon as you plan to buy a house, regardless if the house is new or a fixer. A professional home inspection needs to be done before you sign the contract and make the final purchase because with out it you may not know for months or even years of a potentially huge problem that will creep up after you have moved in, and are the legal owner.

How do you find a good inspector?
When you hire a home inspector, you also need to ensure that the inspector isn’t cutting corners,  and is thoroughly checking every aspect of the house.

Here in the Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond and Issaquah area, there are several details that should not be missed by a good home inspector.

These are some of the most important items a good home inspector should look at and report on.

• Foundation - Foundations can be one of the most expensive problems and if left undiscovered, you could end up with a house that is sinking into the ground, with shifting and cracking walls and ceilings, sticking windows, floors that sag and so much more. The foundation is the rock on which your house stands, if it has problems so do you.
• Plumbing - Your home inspector is mainly going to be looking for leaks or signs that water has been dripping from pipes. These signs include things such as corrosion and stains on the bottom of the cabinet, warped floors and stains on walls and ceilings.
• Electrical systems - If you have an electrical issue, you could experience many signs of a problem. Signs of an issue include breakers and fuses burning out often, dimming and flickering of lights, buzzing or charring of electrical outlets, burning smells,  and shocking but some signs are often overlooked by homeowners which result in 100s of electrical house fires every year.
• Heating and cooling - These systems have a limited life span, usually between 10 and 20 years, if they’ve been well maintained. Your home inspector should let you know whether there are any problems or whether the systems have exceeded their lifespan.​
• Roof - A roof inspection is another vital area. With any roof problem can come leaks, and leaks can lead to many problems, including water damage and dangerous mold. 
  
  At the end of your home inspection, the inspector should not tell you whether to buy the house or not, but should just report the facts to you. In the end, you must decide whether the problems found by the home inspector are a deal breaker for you. One final thing to think about is this, it can be useful for the you to hang out while the inspector performs his inspection. Often the inspector will point out little items or maintenance tips that might not make it into the report.

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Are you considering buying a new house? If you are it's important to make sure you do your due diligence before you buy. The best way to avoid buying a money pit is to get a home inspection from an expert. Getting a home inspection by a professional is the first line of defense in avoiding a bad property investment. Even with hundreds of laws in place to protect home buyers, it is still up to you to make sure the house you are buying is a good investment and not a money pit.


One of the most important things to do during an inspection is to be there for it, watch and ask questions and yes, even take notes. Try to schedule your inspection for a time period where you can be there and you can focus on what the inspector says without interruption. You will want to be there to observe his/her thoroughness and to be able to ask questions when necessary.


When you call to make your appointment with an inspector, it's a good idea to get some information on the inspector's qualifications. Some initial questions should include: Are you a full-time or a part-time inspector? How many years have you been inspecting homes? Where and when did you get your training? How many homes on average do you inspect a year?


We all know that getting a thorough professional inspection before buying a house is a must, so before you sign on the dotted line and move your stuff in, remember that inspections can uncover serious issues. These issues can include, foundation problems, asbestos, mold, in-ground oil tanks, water damage, roof problems, furnace issues, the age of the electrical systems and vermin/pests.


if your inspector turns up some of these more serious problems, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t buy the house, but being alerted to the problem will help you get a good sense of what you ware up against and whether the purchase is a good investment. 

​Failure to obtain a home inspection could potentially cost you a great deal of money, time, and hassles in the long run. Home inspections are a critical part of the home buying and selling process. Below is a list of some very important questions you should ask a home inspector before you hire one.

Questions to Ask a Home Inspector

• Do you belong to a professional association?
• Will your report meet all state requirements?
• How experienced are you?
• How do you keep your expertise up to date?
• Do you focus on residential inspection?
• Do you offer to do repairs or improvements?
• How long will the inspection take?
• How much?
• Will I be able to attend the inspection?