| Buying a home can be a stressful time especially if it's | | | | can make and not knowing all you can about it can |
| your first time. Having the right knowledge base | | | | cost money and headaches in the future. A good |
| before you set out can set you up for home buying | | | | inspector will talk their way through the property |
| success. Once the purchase and sale agreement has | | | | discussing as much as they can with you as they go. |
| been mutually accepted by both the buyer and seller, | | | | 3. Take notes as to what you will need to save for |
| the next step is typically to move on to the | | | | in the future. |
| inspection. The inspection contingency is crucial to the | | | | No matter what shape a house is in when you buy it, |
| home closing on time and with both buyers and | | | | there will always be repairs in the future. Knowing |
| sellers negotiations satisfied. Not having a home | | | | them now can help save for them and prepare |
| inspection can literally cost thousands and here are | | | | ahead of time. Let's say the inspector notices you |
| some good things to keep in mind when having an | | | | have have about 10 years left of wear on the roof. |
| inspection. | | | | If you are going to be in the house for at least 10 |
| 1. Choose a professional inspector. | | | | years, you know you have that amount of time to |
| Make sure you have a professional inspector and not | | | | save. If the roof will cost approximately $5000 in |
| your sister's husband's friend do it. You need | | | | about 10 years you know you will have to save |
| someone on your side that is completely bias to the | | | | about $40 a month to be completely prepared for |
| outcome. Even by choosing the inspector suggested | | | | the roof when it comes. This is an excellent way to |
| by your real estate agent can often be a dicey | | | | save for anything you know you will need to replace |
| choice. Remember, that agent wants the sale to | | | | in the future. It will prevent you from going into debt |
| close even more than you do and by having an | | | | and will add loads of peace of mind knowing you |
| inspector that the agent chooses, it could alter the | | | | have this repair taken care of when the time comes. |
| outcome. Agents don't want an inspector that is an | | | | 4. Know that if you ask for everything, you may get |
| alarmist or one that finds "too many" hazards. The | | | | nothing. |
| deal may not close because of these findings and the | | | | In this market, most sellers will do just about |
| agents surely don't want that. That's not to say all | | | | anything to get the home sold but you never know |
| agents do this, but it helps to keep this in mind when | | | | when a seller will just terminate the deal because the |
| choosing an inspector. Also, find one with several | | | | buyer is asking way too much. As a buyer, consider |
| years of experience. They may not know everything | | | | asking for the most hazardous things or issues that |
| about everything but knowing a little about all can | | | | pose a real safety hazard. Small issues such as |
| really help you determine your future with the | | | | missing switch plates, broken knobs and lights are |
| property. | | | | things that are an easy fix once in the home and are |
| 2. Accompany the inspector. | | | | not something to risk killing the deal over. Consider |
| Don't simply allow the inspector to visit and tour the | | | | your options and what you are really asking before |
| home alone. Yes, they should be licensed and bonded | | | | submitting the inspection form back to sellers. |
| but much more for the information you can glean by | | | | With these tips in mind you can arm yourself to go |
| knowing all you can about this investment. | | | | into an inspection knowing full well how to handle and |
| Remember, this may be the biggest investment you | | | | how to respond to it. |