| When you are spending hundreds of thousands of | | | | responsible for doing a little investigating yourself. For |
| dollars for a home, you need to make sure that what | | | | example, even if your lender doesn't require it, hire a |
| you are getting is well worth it. No home is absolutely | | | | termite inspector. But have the inspector look for all |
| perfect. You can always expect to have to spend | | | | pests. Termites aren't the only pests that cause |
| something on your new home. The average is $6,000 | | | | damage. So do carpenter bees, rats, squirrels and |
| within the first six months, according to industry | | | | scorpions. |
| experts. In a time when you should be looking at paint | | | | You may have received a disclosure form with the |
| samples and new furniture, why would you want to | | | | signed contract for purchase. Many states require that |
| spend your time on repairing what you just bought? | | | | the seller fill out this disclosure. But don't let yourself rely |
| A professional home inspection is key to truly | | | | only on this report. Many issues are forgotten about or |
| understanding the home you are purchasing. You want | | | | not considered major by the owner. Yes, the |
| to turn to a reliable inspector that is a member of an | | | | basement got wet twice in the last ten years, but they |
| association that establishes strict requirements for | | | | could forget about it or not consider it a problem. |
| membership, such as the American Society of Home | | | | Disclosure issues usually arise because buyers expect |
| Inspectors and the National Association of Home | | | | the disclosure to hold more power than it really does. |
| Inspectors. | | | | Make sure that your inspector has a copy of the |
| The inspector should provide you with a list of what | | | | disclosure and will look at any issues brought up by the |
| the inspection will result in. For example, some | | | | seller. |
| inspectors will not inspect for termites or termite | | | | When it comes to buying a home, you need to know |
| damage, indoor air quality or the potential of mold to | | | | everything you can about the home, neighborhood, |
| cause illness. The inspector should remind you that the | | | | market conditions and mortgage options. Your |
| inspection report is not a guarantee. The inspector is | | | | knowledge will give you an added negotiating tool |
| not liable for any repairs as a result of his or her | | | | when dealing with agents, lenders and sellers. Make |
| performance. | | | | sure that you have a full understanding of each step. |
| But even though you hire an inspector, you are still | | | | |