For your protection: Get a Home Inspection

A home inspection gives the buyer more detailed information about the overall condition of the home prior to purchase. In a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth, unbiased look at your potential new home to:

	Evaluate the physical condition: structure, construction, mechanical systems, check for appropriate onsite drainage, and overall curb appeal.
	Identify items that need to be repaired or replaced; or items that will need updating due to code changes and safety concerns.

It is your responsibility to be an informed buyer. Be sure that what you are planning to buy is satisfactory in every respect. You have the right to carefully examine your potential new home with a qualified home inspector. You may arrange to do so after signing the contract as long as your contract states that the sale of the home depends on the out come of the inspection. This gives you the ability to negotiate the price of the home if any deficiencies are found.

For Your Protection, Get a Home Inspection- Download

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New Home/Remodeling County Inspection Program - August 29, 2008

The cost of a home inspection varies a little across the country, according to the American Society of Home Inspector’s Business Operations Study 2007, the average cost of a complete home inspection is around $417.00. With the median home price around $278,000.00 (National Association of Realtors®, 11/28/2007) the cost of the average home inspection is approximately .15% (that’s fifteen hundredths of a percent) of the cost of the home. This is a very small expense to know that the home you are about to purchase is in acceptable condition. I know of people who pay more for a service plan on their television. Although, a home inspection is not an extended warranty, it has been my experience that seven out of ten times a deficiency is found that would cost more to repair than the cost of the whole inspection. Would you like to know that before you buy?

The price of a home inspection may be more reflective of the efforts of the inspector.  To do a thorough inspection some home inspectors take longer than what is typically quoted on many websites; 1-2 hours. In my opinion I do not believe, unless you’re inspecting a dog house, that a proper home inspection can be completed in two hours. I have found that the typical home takes 3 to 4 hours of data collection and an additional hour or two to compile the information into a form that the buyer can use and appreciate. For small townhouses or condo’s the data collection portion of the inspection may be shorter if you exclude the exterior or common areas, otherwise they may take just as long a whole house inspection.  In general, shopping price on home inspectors is not a good idea. In order to do a diligent inspection, it takes time; otherwise your inspector is overlooking issues that may be important to you.

In summary, a thorough home inspection is what you, the buyer, want. The inspector should be an experienced professional with the proper licensing and insurance. It may take approximately four hours to complete and cost you about $420. 00. In return you will have the information you need to be confident in your home purchasing decision. After you move in, there should be very little surprise and both you and your home inspector can sleep soundly at night knowing you did the right thing by obtaining a licensed Professional Home Inspection.