Benefits of a Home Inspection
Think you don't need a Home Inspection? Think again!
Compare the way you shop for a car with the way you shop for a house: If you're like me, you look closely at the WARRANTY details when you're buying a car. How well is the car covered after you roll it off the lot? A new car will normally have some decent warranty coverage, while a used car often doesn't. You may end up paying a deductible on the car warranty, but at least most of the components of the car are covered when you buy a new one. As for me, whenever I buy a used vehicle, I enlist the help of my friend who happens to be a mechanic. He checks the vehicle over for defects that I might have missed, because I consider a car a BIG investment. His expertise about cars far exceeds my own, so I trust him to tell me if the car is going to need any major repairs in the near future. This is a ritual that's repeated every time I'm looking for a new set of wheels.
Now compare what I've told you about my car shopping ritual with the way people view buying a home.
The initial investment (down payment) on a home is a sizable chunk of money to start with. Add your monthly mortgage payment to that for 15-30 years and you're looking at, many times, over $1 MILLION!!!! Isn't it ironic that we want a certain level of assurance when buying a car, but we skimp on that assurance when buying a home that will cost up to TWENTY TIMES more than a vehicle?
It's understandable that when you're buying a home, you have alot of worries and expenses related to that purchase, so you decide against ordering a home inspection to save a little cash. After all, everything LOOKS okay, and your cousin Vinny the drywall installer even walked through it and told you it's a gem, right?
The simple truth is, different people have different areas of expertise. Vinny might be the best drywall man in New York, but can he spot a faulty heating system, an undersized wire in an electrical branch circuit, or an obscure defect in a foundation wall that could cost you thousands to have repaired? Probably not. That's the reason I look up my mechanic friend when I buy a used car: I'm a great home inspector, but I wouldn't know an engine relay switch from an iPOD when it comes to cars.
The point I'm making is NOT to trust your biggest investment to the opinions of those who aren't qualified. You've probably heard this tag-line before, but it's worth repeating:
For your protection, get an inspection!
A home inspector will help you by:
~ pointing out possible safety issues that could endanger you or your children
~ inspecting the basement for water intrusion and proper construction
~ checking the structural integrity of the home
~ checking the condition of the roof, plumbing, electrical, heating and air
conditioning systems
~ making sure that any major appliances that are included in the home purchase
are in working order
~ inspecting the driveway, retaining walls, grading and drainage of the property and
alerting you to any negative slope situations
~ pointing out any ventilation or insulation issues in the attic that could lead to roof
failure, mold, or moisture problems
~ checking any fireplaces or heating devices for safe clearances and evidence of
failure
~ inspecting all gutters, downspouts, soffit, eaves and fascia for damage, rot and
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BENEFITS of a home inspection