Once you’ve found the perfect place and have made the decision to purchase your first house, you may be at a loss for what to do next. Don’t worry; you are in the company of thousands of other first time home buyers! Hopefully you have surrounded yourself with a group of professionals (an attorney, real estate agent, loan officer, inspector, radon tester, and termite inspector) that are making your transaction go smoothly and who give you confidence in the process.
Once you have signed the contracts, it’s important that you first take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from purchasing a home that needs more work than you’re willing to put in. This is where your home inspector comes in.
Hiring a home inspection company protects you from purchasing a property that is very good at disguising its flaws. Your inspector will provide you with insight on areas of the home that may need repair. Additionally, their unbiased report will provide you with everything you’ll need to make an educated decision on how to proceed with the purchase of the home.
When it comes to choosing a home inspector, it is important to verify the prospect’s credentials. Check out the inspectors on the internet for videos, reviews, Angie’s List reviews, to get a better feel for the inspector and how they communicate along with the recommendation from your real estate agent. Inquire about their experience, education, certifications and qualifications. A home inspector that is certified in a professional organization such as ASHI or NAHI maintains the highest level of standards and knowledge. If qualified with these certifications, they will be able to provide you with insight on basic information regarding the home’s condition, as well as an in-depth look at other factors such as radon testing and thermal imaging.
Once you decide on a home inspector, the next step is to schedule a time for them to take a look at the property. You should expect them to cover everything from the ground up, which means that the complete inspection can take anywhere from 2.5 to 4 hours. While they will do a comprehensive overview of the property, there are areas that are out of reach. Spaces like this would be areas covered with insulation or “finished” materials.
Contact Pristine Inspections & Testing today by phone or schedule online and allow us to help you make that important decision on your first home.