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Minimize Unpleasant Surprises with a Home Inspection

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage SA552583000

Many first-time home buyers are taking advantage of the first-time home buyer tax credit.  You know, the one everyone has been talking about so much lately?  Any first-time home buyer can purchase a home and deduct $8,000 or 10%, whichever is lesser, off the total value of the home.  Since many of these first-time buyers have ever owned a home before, I thought I would take the opportunity to get the word out about the importance of a home inspection and how it can minimize unpleasant surprises.

A home inspection will help home buyers learn as much as they possibly can about the home's faults or any major needed repairs that can be very unpleasant and most of the time unexpected difficulties.  For Minimize Unpleasant Surprises with a Home Inspectionthose home buyers who are seeking to purchase short sales or foreclosures because it may look like the better deal, it is more important for you to have a home inspection done.  It is a true risk not to have a home inspection done under any circumstances.

In a home inspector's report, you can expect to find the following covered:

* The condition of the home's central air conditioning system

* The home's heating system

* Interior plumbing

* Electrical systems

* The roof

* The attic and its insulation

* The foundation

* The basement

* Structural components

* Walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors

The inspector will give you a report of any components in the home that are not functioning correctly at the end of their service life and anything that may be unsafe.  A home inspector is also a neutral party in the buying/selling process.  They will only give you professional advice that you should listen to.

If you have already made an offer on a home but haven't closed yet, you can still hire a home inspector.  You can then have your offer be contingent on the findings of the inspection.  Depending on what the inspector finds, you may be able to renegotiate your offer.

I can't emphasize the importance of a home inspection enough.  It can save you so much heartache and financial hardship if you just know what to expect.

Realtor® Liz Miller   ~  Lake Havasu City Real Estate

Search Homes for Sale in Lake Havasu City 

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Comments (5)

Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Liz, Great information to share for those that think they can inspect the home themselves.  I had issues not long ago with my own home and my home inspector was a wonder in helping me to resolve them.  I would NEVER purchase a home without a great home inspector, I believe they are priceless!

Jul 16, 2009 07:56 AM
Brian Griffis
Realty Choice - Springfield, MO

Thanks for the great info Liz.  Home inspections are so cheap, it really is insurance anyone can afford

Jul 19, 2009 12:58 PM
Debi Boucher
Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO
"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

Excellent advice, Liz. As a Realtor, you almost want to insist a buyer have the home inspected - it's that important! It always really worried me when a client refused to do so.

Debi

Jul 22, 2009 11:05 AM
Jim Valentine
RE/MAX Realty Affiliates - Gardnerville, NV

The physical inspection is essential.  Our youngest bought a home recently.  He had previously had an accepted offer on a home that looked okay as we walked through it.  The inspection report revealed about $20,000 in repairs - safety matters.  The seller wouldn't fix so he bought another home. 

Jul 23, 2009 12:23 AM
Scott Larson
First Weber Hedeman Group - Monroe, WI
SRES

My only complaint is that sometimes the wording of the reports can scare the buyer without cause.

Scott

Jul 23, 2009 06:31 AM