Tehama Country Real Estate

Tehama Country Real Estate – 3 Why It's Important To Hire A Good Home Inspector Real Estate Spotlight By Alex Mason biggest purchase of your life, so you want to ensure your investment is worthy of its price tag. B Hiring a qualified home inspector can save you thousands of dollars with finding unseen repairs and hidden expenses not visible when you do your walk through the property. WHAT DOES A HOME INSPECTOR FIND? Ahome inspector goes under the house to check the plumbing and verifies that safety code measures meet with your county officials and city ordinances. He or she will also check for faulty electrical wiring, look for proper insulation and ventilation, check the roof for any leakage or weakened surfaces in need of repair, ensure that the home's structural system is safe, sound and built according to city codes, and inspect the interior and exterior of the property for damage. Although the home may appear to be in mint con- dition, the unseen factors can rack up a hefty repair bill and often take a bite out of any discount or bar- gain property deal. CERTIFIED HOME INSPECTORS ONLY Acertified home inspector is a licensed profession- al that will evaluate a property without bias towards the seller or buyer. You may investigate the creden- tials of your proposed home inspection company through the American Society of Home Inspectors to ensure their license is current and there are no disci- plinary actions taken against them. In addition, your local Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau online are excellent resources to put you in touch with a qualified inspec- tor. Shop around and get referrals if you feel a bit cagey about an inspection company, and never settle for an unlicensed inspection service. HOW MUCH DOES A HOME INSPECTION COST? The cost of a certified inspection service will vary only slightly from one company to the next and should be in a reasonable price range for an average sized home. In most cases, they require payment up front, whether you opt to purchase the home or not. If your home inspector has provided you with a clear and concise report, you may wish to keep that company on file and use their services again. The home inspection process should be reserved for only that property that you fully intend to buy and con- sider their service as a guarantee that the property is move-in ready and does not need costly repairs. If your desired property is lacking in the essential functions of the home, your home inspector may give you an estimate for the repairs and better equip you to make a decision if the property is worth the asking price or not. DO I HAVE TO HIRE A HOME INSPECTOR? There is no law that says you must hire a home inspector before you purchase a property, but statisti- cally you are financially safer if you do. Shelling out a few hundred dollars for your peace of mind and full assurance that the property repairs are affordable is smart business sense for the big ticket item you are about to buy. Bypassing a home inspection will give you little to no recourse when contesting the seller about the rep- resentation of the property should a lawsuit arise. Also, your safety is on the line when it comes to flip- ping a light switch or settling in under a safe and secure roof. Skimp if you want to, but the savvy home buyer knows the value of the home inspector's professional opinion and takes to heart all the sound advice he or she can get before signing on the dotted line. Alex Mason is a former real estate agent and mortgage bro- ker living in Los Angeles. uying a home may be the

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