In Virginia there is a Lemon Law on the books to protect consumers who purchase a car which is later found to have serious defects. However, there is no such law when it comes to protecting buyers when they are purchasing a home. When the market was hot in Northern Virginia many buyers had to pass up the opportunity to have a thorough home inspection in order to "win" their first choice home.
In our current market where foreclosures seem to dominate the landscape another group of buyers is being asked to skip the home inspection process. Don't do it. Even if you are buying a home "as is" you can still conduct a home inspection. You need to know what you are buying. You need to be able to budget for potential repairs and you need to know the systems in your house.
Home inspections aren't just about finding fault with your new home. Certainly they can turn up issues but more importantly they can also give you a great education about how to maintain your home. Many first time homebuyers don't know about where you find the filter on their furnace, or the importance of draining outside faucets in cold weather or the keeping gutters clean of debris. All of these are simple maintenance items that could save you thousands of dollars in repairs done regularly and are some of the things that a home inspector will point out to you as you as they tour your home.
At the end of your home inspection you will receive a detailed report and workbook that will outline in items that may need repair, the age of the major systems in your home, budget guidelines for replacement items and maintenance information that you can keep and use for years into the future.
If you are thinking about taking advantage of the current lower home prices in Northern Virginia include in your budget the cost of a home inspection. It will be some of the best money you spend during the home buying process. If you are considering buying a new home this year give the Cindy Jones team a call at 703-346-2213. We work with a number of great ASHI certified home inspectors who will help educate you on your new home.
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