Posts Tagged ‘buying a home’

Home Buying Tip 7 Key Questions to Ask a Home Inspector

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

This home buying tip will help you ask the right questions when researching home inspectors.

A proper home inspection will give you the comfort of knowing your new home has been checked for breakage, disrepair and other problems.

But it all starts with choosing a professional home inspector who can give your home the thorough review it needs. So don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions when choosing a home inspector. Here are seven key questions to ask:

1. What all do you inspect?

Different states have different rules for home inspectors. So you need to know up front what your state requires of inspectors, and then you need to make sure the inspector will actually cover those areas. Ask to see a blank copy of their inspection report or checklist. This will show you exactly what the inspector covers. If they have a problem showing you this document, find another home inspector!

2. What certifications do you have?

Like other home-based industries, home inspection has its share of frauds and phonies. It’s safe to assume they represent the minority, but it still pays to ask about certification. A professional home inspector will be happy to tell you about his certifications.

3. Do you specialize in residential or commercial inspections?

Be sure your inspector specializes in what you want him to do. In this case, make sure they specialize in residential / home inspections (instead of commercial property inspections).

4. How long have you been inspecting homes in this area?

General experience is fine, but regional or local experience gives a home inspector an extra edge. For instance, if an inspector has been working in your area for a long time, they probably know about unique conditions to watch for (radon levels, basement moisture, life expectancy of roofing, etc.).

5. How long do your home inspections usually take?

* Home buying tip — The average home inspection runs anywhere from two to four hours. If a home inspector tells you they can do it in an hour or less, you might want to dig a little deeper. Anything less than two hours is probably not a thorough inspection.

6. How much will the inspection cost?

* Home buying tip — Home inspections average between $300 and $500. This will depend on the size of the home and other factors. The cost of a home inspection is nominal when you consider the peace of mind it brings, but you still need to ask about the cost in advance. You don’t want to be surprised by an outrageously priced inspection after it has been completed.

7. Can I attend the inspection?

A home inspection is a great opportunity to learn about the inner workings of your home. Many home inspectors will let you proceed through the house alongside them. That way, they can educate you about your roof, heating and cooling system, water heater, etc.

Conclusion

This home buying tip will help you choose a professional, qualified home inspector. As a result, you’ll get a more thorough review of the home before buying it, and you’ll enjoy more peace of mind!

* Copyright 2006, Brandon Cornett. You may republish this article if you keep the byline and author’s note, and also leave the hyperlinks active.

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Home Buying 101 House Hunting in 5 Easy Steps

Monday, September 15th, 2008

The home buying process can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. After all, it’s one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. So before you begin looking for a home, make sure you have a plan in place.

Here are some more tips to help you get the most out of your house hunting experience.

Take pictures of the home, inside and out.

When shopping for a home, bring your digital camera along. Or borrow one from a friend. Take pictures of all the houses you visit, and then group the pictures by house address for easy viewing later. This will help you remember the details of each house afterward. Then you can more easily decide which houses you’d like to follow-up on or revisit.

Bring a friend of family member along.

Buying a home can stir up a lot of different emotions, and that’s perfectly normal. But emotion can sometimes overpower logic — not something you want when making a financial decision.

You can counter this by bringing a friend or family member along on your house hunt. By bringing someone who’s not so emotionally attached to the process, you’ll have an objective ally to help you identify the pros and cons of each house.

This person can also help you recall details about a house after each visit. And chances are, they’ll be able to point out aspects of a home you might not have noticed otherwise.

Compare the house to your budget.

Ever heard the expression “house poor”? This is what happens when people take on more of a mortgage than they can comfortably afford. Ask yourself this question. If you have to work longer hours and scrimp and save just to afford a house, is it really worth it?

While house hunting, you’ll inevitably come across one or two houses that really knock your socks off, but would also knock a hole in your budget. But you have to keep your finances in mind, no matter how gorgeous a house might be.

Consider the commute.

Here’s another area where it pays to be objective. If you find a house you like, and it’s within your price range, the next thing to consider is the location. Is the house near or far from work? Does it have access to the highways you need? How long will your commute be each day?

It’s easy to fall in love with a house and dismiss the drive time. But if you commute every day, drive time matters! Try driving to or from the house during rush hour to get a realistic picture of what you’ll face every day.

Avoid spur-of-the-moment decisions.

Buying a home will probably be the biggest financial decision of your life. So it requires careful consideration. Know what you’re looking for and how much you can afford. Remember to be objective. Then get out there and hunt!

* Copyright 2006, Brandon Cornett. You may republish this article in its entirety, provided you leave the byline, author’s note and website hyperlink intact.

About the Author

Brandon Cornett is the editor of HomeBuyingInstitute.com, one of the Internet’s largest and most respected libraries of home buying information — more than 100 expert articles in 12 different home buying categories! Put this knowledge to use by visiting http://www.HomeBuyingInstitute.com

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