Making Positive Business Choices

If you are in the process of buying a home, and you are obtaining a mortgage, one of the required steps you are going to need to go through is a home inspection. A home inspection allows a professional to look at the home and provide you with their viewpoint on the home. It can provide you with some very vital information.

Tip #1: Attend the Home Inspection

You may be told you don't have to attend the home inspection. Although this is true, it is a good idea to be present during the home inspection. Being present during the home inspection will allow you to point out issues with the home that you would like to get the inspector's viewpoint on.

Being present will also allow you to ask questions about things you want to know about and will allow you to get some real-time feedback and information from the home inspector. You will judge body language and attitude from the home inspector and get information that you just can't get from a written report.

Tip #2: Use a Trusted Home Inspector

Second, you will want to make sure that you hire a home inspector that you trust. You can ask your friends or your real estate agent for recommendations for a home inspector.

You want to look for a home inspector that isn't loyal to your real estate agent or the seller. You want someone who will feel free to talk frankly about any issues with the home. It is worth it to pay more for a high-quality home inspector that is impartial.

Tip #3: Write Down Questions

Third, if you have questions about quality issues with the home, write them down.

For example, if you have been wondering about the water heater's condition, or if you were concerned about the quality of the roof, write down all of these questions so that you can remember to ask the home inspector about these issues when they are looking at the home. A home inspector knows a lot about property issues and should be able to answer these questions.

Tip #4: Ask the Home Inspector to Take Pictures

When you hire your home inspector, you will want to ask them to take pictures of things that they inspect. Your home inspector will look at areas of the home that you probably will not explore, such as the crawl space or under the deck, or on top of the roof. These pictures will allow you to see what the home inspector sees in these areas without checking them out in-person.

As a buyer, be sure to show up for the home inspection. Use this as an opportunity to ask questions and learn about the property. You will get a written report, but being there in person can provide you with additional information.