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What Must Never be Overlooked in a Home Inspection

By
Real Estate Agent with Sothbey's International Realty

1. Choose A Home Inspection Company With Top Credentials

 appraiser-727688As a first time home buyer you have goals, you want to be well informed, and you want to make a wise investment. Choose a home inspection company that understands your needs and will work with you to help you meet your goals. If you want your home inspection conducted by a Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.), be sure that your home inspection report will be stamped with the home inspectors licensed P.E. seal. The practice of engineering is State regulated and licensed; the P.E. seal on the home inspection report is the key to your protection.

2. Don’t Pay Twice For A Home Inspection

 First time home buyers who retain the services of a home inspector who is not a P.E., may be faced with paying a second home inspection fee if the home inspector uncovers a problem, such as a structural defect, that requires the opinion of a Licensed Professional Engineer. Shouldn’t you retain the services of an inspection company licensed to practice engineering right from the start?



3. Be Sure To Obtain A Written Home Inspection Report

 Be sure that your home inspection report will be a detailed written report, not a hand written checklist that is given to you at the end of the home inspection. A checklist may be void of details and may not provide all of the information and engineering advice first time home buyers need.



4. Ask About Important Professional Affiliations

 Be sure that the home inspection company you retain has professional affiliations, such as NABIE (National Academy Of Building Inspection Engineers) and NSPE (National Society Of Professional Engineers). Unlike home inspection trade societies, NABIE and NSPE accept only Licensed Professional Engineers as members. Members of NABIE need to meet tough entrance requirements, are highly qualified in the home inspection profession, and adhere to a strict code of ethics
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5. Don’t Be Confused By Home Inspector “Certifications”

 Don’t be confused by home inspector “certifications” offered by, or sold by trade societies or companies, or obtained via home inspection home study courses, certifications are available to anybody, a high school diploma is not a requirement and certifications can be readily purchased.

For more information regarding appraisals please go to What do Appraisers Really

Do?

If you are looking for assistance in finding the perfect home in Hoboken, contact Eddie Perez at (201) 344-2886 or go to Hoboken Condo Expert.

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Edward Perez, Broker Associate
NJ Luxury Group at Sotheby's International Realty
201.344.2886 mobile
edward@NJLuxuryGroup.com

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Comments (1)

Luciano Marquez
Mr. Home Inspector - West New York, NJ

Do I need an Engineer or a Home Inspector?

You need a home inspector, not an engineer. When you hire a home inspector, you are hiring an experienced professional who has training, experience and a license. It is the job of the home inspector to not only evaluate the condition of the house's major systems and structural integrity, but also to evaluate how these systems are working together and identify areas that need to be watched, repaired or replaced.

Your home inspector gives you the Big Picture analysis of the house you are purchasing. If the home inspector identifies the need for a costly, detailed analysis of any of the houses' systems or structures, the inspector will recommend the appropriate professional, which may be an experienced engineer with expertise analyzing that particular system or structure. The need for this kind of expensive, detailed analysis is rare. No engineer licensed as a home inspector will be inspecting as an engineer if only hired to do a home inspection.  Inspection a home as a structural engineer cost way more than a home inspection.

Hiring a Professional Engineer on your own can be a disappointing experience. The term Professional Engineer does not mean that the individual has any training or experience conducting home inspections. Additionally, a home inspection does not involve engineering analysis. Therefore, hiring a Professional Engineer to complete a home inspection undoubtedly costs more, but it may not give you the results you desire and deserve.

As the saying goes "you get what you pay for"  If you want a home inspection expect to pay about $400-500.  If you want a true thorough engineering analysis of the home you are going to buy then expect to pay $1500 or more.

Jun 15, 2009 09:32 AM