By Stephen Davis
Special to Relocation.com
When you buy a second-hand car, you always get it inspected by a mechanic because you want to know exactly what you are paying for. Similarly, a home inspector is a person who goes over the structural and related parts of the house and gives an assessment about the condition of each part.
The main reason why buyers do not opt for a home inspection is due to the cost. It may seem unnecessary when the property appears in good shape. However, an experienced professional eye is necessary to determine the correct status of the house.
Many times a property appears in perfect condition to the untrained eye. But a week into the move you may find problems with the air conditioning or plumbing. Repairs to these sorts of damages can be very costly and so it is better that you have your property inspected before you purchase it.
A house inspection is absolutely necessary if you have even the slightest doubt about the true condition of a real estate property and its systems. But even if you are sure that everything is in perfect order, still it is always safer to get an inspection done.
Before you sign a contract, make sure that it contains a detailed statement about your rights to a home inspection. Most contracts have a clause on this. If there isn’t one, have one added as a contingency.
Of course the seller will not make every repair that you ask for. In fact, be prepared for the seller to refuse all repair work. This is why you should read your contract thoroughly before you sign it. You should have the right to withdraw from the contract in case of events that are unacceptable to you. Also, all agreements should be in writing and signed by both parties. Never rely on verbal agreements.
There are a few tips that you should remember regarding home inspections:
- Always hire an experienced professional to conduct the home inspection. Experienced inspectors have seen hundreds of problems and know exactly what to look for. They are familiar with numerous known tricks to cover up problems and hence will be able to identify any such trick at once. They can also give you a very accurate estimate on what it will cost you to get the repairs done.
- Never hire someone you know - by that I mean a relative or a friend. Your pal or brother-in-law might be very experienced, but in case he misses a problem and it shows up later, it will cause hard feelings through the family.
- Don’t fall in love with a property until you have had it inspected. The inspection may uncover serious problems and cause a heartbreak. Play safe.
- If you really love a property and are willing to buy it no matter how many problems there are, go ahead. It is up to you to determine how much effort you are willing to put into the house. But still have an inspection conducted. The inspection will help you figure out which repairs need attention first.
- A brand new home doesn’t mean there won’t be any problems. Many times there are problems with the construction which may lead to problems like pipe leakage.
A home inspection is necessary regardless of the age, size or nature of the property you are purchasing. If there aren’t any problems, the inspection will help you be sure of it. If there are problems, the inspection will help you determine how much it will cost you.