Fsbo

Hire a home inspector who won’t overlook big problems that will cost you later.

 

A home inspection is an important part of the home buying process. It’s typically the last look a buyer gets at the home before making what for most will be their largest single investment.

A recent poll of Angie’s List members found that nearly two-thirds of respondents had hired a home inspector in the last two years, and 30 percent of them said that their inspector overlooked major problems that resulted in costly repairs. Some of these problems included mold, termites and leaking roofs.

Nearly 70 percent of Angie’s List poll respondents hired their home inspector based on their real estate agent’s recommendation after the buying process had started. With a 14-day window to complete the inspection after an offer is accepted, buyers can feel rushed, greatly increasing the risk of hiring a poorly qualified inspector.

To avoid hiring an inspector who’ll miss major problems, do the following:

• Check his or her qualifications and reputation.
• Make sure he or she is insured for general liability as well as errors and omissions in case
• Require the inspector to show you proof of insurance.
• Review a sample inspection report so you know what will be reviewed.

Finally, go along on the home inspection. It’s a great way to learn about your new home and see with your own eyes where potential problems may be hiding. It’s also a way to ensure your inspector actually looks hard at your home, including the nooks and crannies.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 16th, 2008 at 6:12 am and is filed under FSBO. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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