You've selected the perfect home, now what?  Now, I strongly recommend you have a professional home inspection performed.  Yes, you should have one even if you're purchasing a newly constructed home.  This is not the time to skimp on dollars and cents.  It's smarter to spend a couple of hundred now as opposed to a couple of thousands later. 

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

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 I recommend you 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.  Also, when you're purchasing a newly constructed home, home builders often require that the home inspector present their credentials to the builder before performing an inspection.  So save yourself some time and ask about certifications before hand.

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?
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 inspections average between $300 and $500. This usually depends on the size and age of the home. 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.   Just remember not to be too much of a distraction that he or she cannot perform their job thoroughly.  :)

Once again, please don't choose this department as an area to skimp on.  Have a professional home inspection performed.  You'll be glad you did.