Shoule we spend money to have a home inspection?

[george09]

Do we really need to spend money to have a home inspection?

Well, as per my point of view its worth to spend money to have home inspection. It’s not only the home inspection seeks out any defects, the home inspector will often give you tips on maintaining and repairing your house. A good home inspector will probably find out some things you need to know about before you buy the property.

Well what do you think guys about it?

__________________
George Hagan
USA
Live life in Charleston SC and working as the real buyers agent (http://www.charlestonhome.com).

[Richard A Hetzel]

Well, there are home inspectors and then there are home inspectors. At the upper end of the ability scale, they are well worth the money. At the lower end of the ability scale, they are a complete waste. They range from highly knowledgeable and competent, to ignorant and incompetent. It's important to ask around. There are a few societies of home inspectors, some much better than others. Find out which one is good, and choose an inspector who is a member, or choose an independent inspector who has a stellar reputation.

[Rich]

I like how you have asked a question and answered it yourself. And then low and behold an advertisement in your signature for selling property.
Don't get me wrong, I don't mind that you have the advertisement there. But if you know the answer - there is no need to ask it.

[concretemasonry]

I am also surprised you asked because many knowledgable sellers are now getting pre-listing inspections to make the corrections before listing. This avoids much of the late price negotiations.

Whether it is a pre-listing inspection or a pre-purchase inspection, make sure you have a inspector (certified by a reputable national association national association AND state certified if you are lucky to be in a state that offers that protection) that has experience is not just an out-of-work guy lookng to create a job for himself.

Most national associations (except for those that sell on-line testing and certification) do not permit an inspector to do work or recommend a single contractor to the person paying for the inspection. At least 3 unrelated contractors must be recommended by most groups. That is grounds for loss of membership if this is violated.

Dick

[AustinRealEstate]

Get a home inspection for sure. If you need to find a good one, check Angieslist, www.ashi.org, and check references. If you want to ensure that you are covered try also getting specialists to cover the inspection. This would mean, get a roofer, HVAC tech, foundation repair company, electrician, and arborist to come to the house and look over the major systems and give you any issues that exist.

Joe

[Adrian]

I've used home inspections twice in the past for leverage in negotiations, and both times have recovered the cost (and more).

A house I purchased recently from a private sale had the inspection done a few years prior, and showed it off as a check list of the repairs they did. I verified the work, checked for any new deficiencies, and was satisfied that the home was/is a competent structure. No need for a new inspection.

Make sure you go to the inspection, ask questions, provide another set of eyes to look for deficiencies. That way when they hand you the binder or cd, you will know what the just of it is.

[Ugarte]

For foreclosures sales with no contingency it may not make sense to have a home inspection. I would have a contractor come in and make an estimate of repairs and price into the offer.

[concretemasonry]

A good certified inspector usually cannot work on the houses he inspects, so he has nothing to sell but give recommendations. If he does give out contractors he will usually give 3 names of qualified people to do what is suggested (roofing, furnace, elctrical engineering, etc.).

Dick

[seobrick]

definatly always geta home inspection. theres no telling what could be wrong

[whitmirehomes]

Having been in the building business for more than 30 years now, I've seen a lot of "good" and a lot of "not so good".

We stand by the quality and craftsmanship of the homes we build, but always want to show the buyer that our work has been "audited" in some shape or form. We hire certified, licensed and highly reputable inspectors to review every detail of our work to ensure the end product fits every code, rule and regulation.

In today's world of crooked deals and fly-by-night companies, it's hard for me to believe that anyone would pay for a home without knowing what they are truly getting in to before they buy (read: home inspection).

-T.S Whitmire
__________________
Whitmire Homes
Custom Luxury Home Builder (http://www.whitmirehomes.com)
Gainesville GA
"Building Custom Homes since 1978"