Buyer: Home Inspection Do's and Don'ts

   Home Buyer Beware!!!

   Whether representing a buyer or a seller, I believe the Home Buyer is wise to be wary.  As a home is a large financial decision for any home buyer, the buyer should ensure the house under contract is in sound condition via a home inspection. 

The seller is wise to understand the limitation of liability that a
home inspection provides.  Via a 3rd party home inspection, the seller is insulated(assuming no fraud) from unknown repairs that a buyer could complain about after closing.

Though home inspections should benefit the buyer, there are some "do's and don'ts"  to home inspections that will make or break an inspection's success.

The Do's and Don'ts:

1.  Ensure the Home Inspector is a Certified(and licensed, is so required) in your state or local.   References from friends recently
purchasing a home or your Realtor are key!
    
      Two Common Certifications: 
            National Association of Home Inspector(NAHI)    
            American Society of Home Inspectors(ASHI)

2.  Ensure contract terms for home inspection is thoroughly 
     understood prior to beginning home inspection.

3.  Ensure home inspector explains the inspection process prior
     to starting the inspection.
         NOTE:  If you don't like what you hear, ask questions!!!!!!
                 
4. Attend the home inspection.  Failure to attend a home inspection
     may cause you to lose valuable information about the home.

5. Follow the home inspector around the home during the
    inspection...be within general area but not on the inspector's
    heels.     Great way to learn by nuances of your new house!!!

    NOTE:  IF AT ANYTIME DURING THE INSPECTION, 
                 YOU BECOME CONCERNED, CONSULT WITH
                 YOUR REALTOR IMMEDIATELY.

6. Don't talk but listen attentively during the inspection. Inspector
    may stop time to time to point out a significant fault or an item 
    simple as where the water cutoffs are.  Ask few
    and only essential questions during the inspection.
      
          A Distracted Inspector can miss or overlook items that
           may have caught his/her attention.

7.  Don't let Seller interrupt Home Inspector...your Realtor should
     handle but it is your home inspection.  So speak up to your
     Realtor if you are concerned.

8.  Take notes to remember key elements of home(water cutoffs,
      thermostat usage, sprinkler system handling, ect) shared by
      your home inspector.

9.  Listen attentively to Home Inspector's Report at the conclusion
     of Home Inspection.  Listen not only to the words but to the
     Inspector's concern or lack there of.    Does he/she appear
     to make a mountain out of a mole hill?  Does he/she gloss over
     an issue that seems huge to you?

10. ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS NOW!!!  Ensure you understand
      each issue addressed in the home inspectors report.  Ensure
      all issues that were addressed throughout the inspection are
      in the report.

11. Don't ask the seller about repairs(if present).

12. Don't leave with out a printed or hand written Inspection
       Summary.
    
         Note: It isn't uncommon to get printed/detail report via
                   email within 24 hours from the home inspector.

13.  Do bring your check book or credit card...home inspector
        is paid at the time of the inspection.

14.  Review the list of repair items with your Realtor in private.

15.  Establish the date and time with your Realtor to prepare the
       requested repairs documentation(if not immediately meeting
       after the home inspection with your Realtor).

 16. Be prepare to negotiate.

          Seller and Buyer frequently will have different vantage points
          on the repairs.


Again, DO your home inspection!!  DON'T believe that you have
 to give this right up no matter who trys to tell you otherwise!!