Congratulations! You searched and searched and finally found your dream home! Do you realize the importance of a home inspection before you buy? This may be one of your largest purchases ever. Would you buy a car without giving it a test drive? Of course not! Doesn't it make sense to have a set of experienced eyes examine your new home before you invest your hard-earned dollars? Of course!

You may think your handy uncle can look over your new home to see if everything is OK. Don't risk it! A home inspector has the uncanny ability to discover defects not seen by an untrained eye. I'll let you in on a dirty little secret. There are no perfect homes! Every home has defects of one kind or another, even new construction! A home inspector will thoroughly evaluate the systems and structure of your new home and then provide a comprehensive report with photos.

How much is a home inspection? Inspection costs are typically less than 1/4 of 1% of the home's purchase price! Fees can range from a few hundred dollars to more than a thousand, depending on the size, age, and complexity of the property. If you opt not to purchase a home inspection, just one surprise may cost you more than the money you saved on the inspection fee! Doesn't it make sense to hire a professional home inspector? A home inspection usually pays for itself in the form of repairs by the seller or consideration for repairs at closing.

Here's a partial list of common defects found at a home inspection:

• Moisture intrusion
• Lack of maintenance
• Roof issues
• Plumbing leaks
• Foundation defects
• Substandard repairs and installations
• Electrical problems
• Systems nearing the end of their useful life
• Defective or hazardous components
• Carbon monoxide hazards
• Structural damage
• Hazardous materials

A qualified, experienced home inspector will investigate every accessible area of your home and discover clues to its past history. This includes crawling under the home if it has a raised foundation, walking the roof, and entering the attic area. These areas are not easily accessible and are often neglected or go unnoticed by homeowners. They may contain critical defects that will affect the structure of the home or allow water entry that could cause major damage.

Protect your most precious investment! Steve Stenros- First Choice Inspections is a CREIA MCI (Master CREIA Inspector) and ICC (International Code Council) certified inspector. Clients receive a FREE lifetime appliance RecallChek with every standard home inspection. Steve can be reached for appointment at 888-335-3040.

The Importance Of A Home Inspection Before You Buy