5 Key Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Home Inspector

Home buying is nothing if not a process. From applying for a mortgage to perusing the Internet and attending open houses, each aspect gets you one step closer to homeownership.

But perhaps the most important component along the way is home inspection. More than three quarters of buyers have had a home inspection performed prior to purchasing one, according to survey data from the National Association of Realtors. In fact, many lenders require that one be done once a mortgage has been approved.

Unfortunately, home inspections aren’t all built the same. There are certain requirements that a residence needs to pass before it can be deemed safe to live in, but given human mistakes, some inspections are more rigorous than others.

The following are important questions to ask to ensure that the home inspection professional you choose is both reliable and meticulous.

1. What are your qualifications?
If there’s anything that’s the most crucial to home inspection, experience has to be it. Granted, newly minted inspectors have to start somewhere, but at the very least, they should be able to demonstrate that they have the bona fides needed to perform a rigorous analysis of your prospective home’s features. Feel free to ask your inspector how long they’ve been practicing and where their licensing is from.

2. What will the inspection process include?
Your inspection professional should be open with you about just what they’re looking for to ensure that your soon-to-be property – provided everything checks out – is up to snuff. On their checklist should be features like the home’s heating and cooling systems, the condition of the roof, foundation, plumbing and electrical systems. The passing or failing of each feature can make or break when or whether you should close on the house by signing on the dotted line. Read More