Inspecting a house’s physical condition is a vital aspect of the home buying process. It helps you figure out whether you’re paying a fair price for it and what repairs it might need before or after you move in, not to mention whether you want it at all.
Yes, I understand you are reluctant about hiring a home inspector. Purchasing a home is costly enough as it is; why then do you need to spend hundreds of dollars more to inspect it when you don’t necessarily need to? In this article, we’ll discuss what a house inspector can disclose and whether one is worth hiring before you start your home-buying process.
Importance Of Home Inspection Before The Home Buying Process
Is a home inspector important? The obvious answer is yes, but what exactly makes a home inspector important? Below are some of the top reasons you should hire a home inspector before the home buying process.
1. Safety and protection
All properties should be tested for radon, carbon monoxide, and mold, which can be detected during a home inspection. Make sure your home-buying contract stipulates that if such risks are discovered, you have the opportunity to cancel the transaction.
If you’re buying an “as-is” foreclosed home or a short sale, a home inspection is even more important. Foreclosed houses usually develop dangerous mold problems that are both expensive to fix and dangerous to one’s health. Home inspectors usually discover copper plumbing lines and outside compressors removed from foreclosed properties by people seeking to sell recycled coppers for petty cash.
2. Identification of unauthorized additions or installations
A home inspector would disclose whether rooms, changed garages, or basements were finished without a legal permit or did not meet the code. If a house has illegal room extensions, it impacts the insurance, taxes, usability, and, most importantly, the overall worth. In essence, a customer is buying something that does not exist legally “r the subsequent owners to solve (and finance).
3. Expected future costs
The installation age of main systems in the home, such as plumbing, heating and cooling, and crucial equipment like water heaters, can be estimated by a home inspector. They may assess the current state of the building and tell you how long the home’s finishes have been in place. Every item in the house has a “shelf-life.” Knowing when they need to be replaced will help you make key financial decisions and determine what kind of house insurance coverage or warranties you should look into.

Choosing The Right Home Inspector
Now that you know the importance of hiring a home inspector, how do you know which home inspector is the best for you to hire?
First, you must know that not all inspectors are the best fit for you. There are certain inspectors who are a better fit for you than others. Home inspectors have different qualifications, levels of expertise, and levels of zeal. A good inspector, on the other hand, will know what to look for and how to recognize warning indications.
Certain aspects of the house should be inspected by your inspector at all times. You will receive a report detailing their findings after the inspection is done.
When your home is being inspected, you can and should be there. You’ll get a firsthand overview of your inspector’s findings, as well as ask any extra questions you may have while you’re in the house. They’ll also be able to elaborate on any problems they identify in the house, which may be more helpful than depending on images and a report in resolving the issues.
Your inspector should tell you the severity of each fault identified in the house, such as whether it’s a safety concern, a significant flaw, or a minor flaw. Furthermore, they will be able to inform you which faults require complete replacements and which only require repair or service.
If you’re a first-time homeowner, your inspector can also walk you through the house’s normal maintenance regimen.
As a home buyer, it is your responsibility to learn as much as possible about the home you may soon call your own. Home inspections show the property’s inner workings, allowing you to be aware of all the benefits and drawbacks it has to offer.

Fire Prevention – 10 Tips to Keep Your Home Safe
A fire can start in the blink of an eye, but the damage it leaves behind can last a lifetime. That’s why it’s so important to be proactive about fire prevention. Taking some simple steps to reduce the risk of a fire starting in your home is well worth the effort. Here are 10 tips to help you get started.

Radon In Your Home
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that you can’t see, taste, or smell. Indoor radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking and contributes to an estimated 7,000 to 30,000 lung cancer deaths each year.

Smoke Alarms & What You Should Know
As a reputable home inspection service, we always advise installing a functional smoke alarm in your house. Also, regularly inspecting them can ensure that they are functioning correctly

Roof System: 4 Tips to Protect it in Winter
Winter is approaching, and if you want to keep your roof and your house safe from harm and damage during these cold and snowy months,

Bathroom And Kitchen Vents: Why You Should Turn Them On
Generally, the bathroom and kitchen are the most commonly used part of a house. They are known to have the latest technical equipment and are

Dryer Vents: 10 Cleaning and Safety Tips for You!
Generally, homeowners do not notice the dryers vents when it comes to our laundry appliances. Even though they remove all of our clothing’s unwanted fuzz
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer.
You can’t see or smell radon. Testing is the only way to know your level of exposure. Radon can have a big impact on your Indoor Air Quality. Which Radon Zone do you live in? Find Radon Zone and Supplemental Radon Information near you.
Mold is a fungus that grows on damp surfaces, such as the walls and floors of your home. Left unchecked, it can grow in colonies and produce allergens and irritants. It’s important to test for mold before buying or selling a home so you can remediate the issue prior to closing escrow.
There are many different types of mold that can occur in a home and lead not only to structural damage, but some health concerns as well.
Mold is difficult to find in many homes as it grows exclusively in dark and moist areas that are usually hidden somewhere in the structural areas of the home such as attics and basements.
Get more information about mold in your home from this FREE guide on mold in your home.
Find the typical life expectancy for most components that are normally found in homes
Typical life expectancies for most components found in homes are listed in this page. These life expectancies have been determined through research and testing based on regular recommended maintenance and conditions of normal wear and tear, and not extreme weather (or other) conditions, neglect, over-use, or abuse
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a veteran homeowner downsizing or trading up, these valuable tips can help streamline your real estate transaction by making it go quicker and smoother, with the help of your InterNACHI-Certified Professional Inspector®