Tips For Finding a Good Home Inspector

You’ve been working with your agent for weeks, and finally found your dream home!   Don’t forget a very important step in the purchase process – you need a home inspection.

Home inspectors examine the systems and structure of a home and alert buyers to any potential repairs / violations, and finding a good one is an important step in the home buying process.  A good home inspector should not only thoroughly inspect the house, but also educate potential home owners about the home.

The best way to find a reputable home inspector is word of mouth.   Your agent will undoubtedly also provide you with a list of potential resources, but you should also do a bit of investigating on your own.

Here are some questions that you should ask before choosing the right inspector:

• License and Insurance:  Ask whether the inspector is licensed in your state.   Ask if the inspector carries E&O (errors and omissions) insurance.  In some states, insurance is a requirement for licensing.  This insurance means that if your inspector is found liable for any errors or contract breaches, you will stand a better chance of being repaid any damages.  Be aware though that certain inspections, such as radon, may not be covered by their policy.
• What will the inspection cover:  Find out what the inspection will cover, and when you will receive a copy of the report.   Remember that extras (well water, septic, radon, etc.), will probably require extra fees.
• Ask to see a sample copy of a report:  A quality inspection report will be a minimum of 15 pages.  It should clearly detail the systems inspected, and their condition at the time of the inspection. The checklist of inspected items and results should be thorough, and a detailed narrative report should also be provided. Pictures should be taken of any areas of concern.
• Do they offer a guarantee?:  A good inspector will offer a written guarantee that obligates them to reimburse the buyer for eligible repairs that may develop during the guarantee period, regardless of whether it was an oversight on the inspector’s part or just normal wear and tear.   An example would be if you purchased the home in the summer and in the fall turn on the heat, the furnace should be working properly.   A good inspector should have no problem guaranteeing their inspection for a reasonable amount of time after the inspection.
• Industry Affiliations: Building codes and industry standards change on a regular basis.    Ask your home inspector if they belong to any professional trade organizations in their field. Also inquire about the last time they have attended any continuing education classes or seminars. This will let you know how seriously they take their trade. Keep in mind that lenders may have certain qualification requirements for a home inspector. Find out what these are and make sure the inspector you choose has them. You don’t want to have to pay to have the home inspected twice.  Two good affiliation groups are the National Institute of Building Inspectors and the American Society of Home Inspectors.   Inspectors who are fully certified by ASHI, the nation’s oldest such group, are required to have completed at least 250 paid professional home inspections and passed two written exams.

The questions aren’t finished yet.  Attend your inspection, and find out as much as possible about your potential new home:

• Where is the main water shut off valve to the house?
• How is the drainage around the home?
• What’s the typical life span for the home’s roof type, and is there any particular maintenance that needs to be done?
• If there’s access to the attic, what does the attic look like?  Is this usable space?
• Is the electrical panel full, or is there room to expand?

With some inspecting on your own, you’ll end up with a home that contains no unhappy surprises.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.DinsmoreTeam.com