Choosing a new home is a big life decision and likely one of the largest investments you will make. Making the wrong decision, overlooking problems, and avoiding asking the right questions can lead to years of expensive consequences. Committing to a final purchase should only take place after you’ve had the opportunity to have your home inspected by a professional who can help expose potential problems and give you peace of mind in knowing you are making a great decision.
Your Home Inspection
While a typical home inspection costs between $250 – $500, it’s well worth the investment. Following is a list of problems that can afflict a home that you can watch for yourself:
- Wall and foundation cracks. Cracks can point to a large problem with the foundation.
- Bad smells. If a home is infested with mold it could lead to a bigger problem that might result in tearing rooms apart.
- Poor heating or cooling. Fixing poor heating or cooling systems could help to reduce your electric bill!
- Water spots or bad landscape grading. Leaking plumbing or a bad grading can lead to bad water damage should your area experience flooding.
While getting your home inspected is far from required, it is a very wise decision that not only provides you with the peace of mind before you commit to purchase a new home, but it could prevent you from a bad investment.
Choosing the Right Home Inspector
While home inspectors aren’t difficult to find, you do need to make sure you get your moneys worth. Consider using the American Society of Home Inspectors, or ASHI, to aid you in your search. Don’t hesitate to ask as many questions during your home inspection to prepare you for what you might expect should you decide to buy the house.