There is always a possibility that everything will turn out great with your home purchase.  

It is possible. 

But whether the house is new, or previously owned, the home still needs to be inspected!

An average cost of a home inspection on a 2000 sq foot or less home is approximately $325.00 in Southern California (prices will vary). Additional fees can be expected for older homes, for a home with a raised foundation, or with a pool and spa that require inspecting.   You should inquire whether your inspector is a member of any professional association related to home inspecting (ASHI, CREIA, etc). The reason for this is that the home inspection profession is not a licensed trade.  Anyone with a screwdriver and a flashlight can call themselves a 'home inspector' (literally).   And the person inspecting you home could possibly be as inexperienced as you are.

So, please ensure that they are a member of a professional association. (WWW.CRIEA.ORG, or WWW.ASHI.ORG, or WWW.NACHI.ORG)  And there are other professional affiliations for home inspectors than these three I have listed)

This way youre ensuring that the person who you have hired to inspect for you knows what he is doing, attends continuing education for his trade, and subscribes to a code of ethics when executing your home inspection.

And to answer the question, do I really need a home inspection, let me just say that the value of the information you will learn from the home inspector will often outweigh the cost of the inspection by a huge amount.

Happy Hunting and may you find the home of your dreams.

Matt Henderson - Realtor  /  Professional Home Inspector

Fullerton, California