Is a Home Inspection Worth the Time and Expense?
by Chris Prickett
Penny-wise and pound-foolish? Don’t think for a second that because you’re buying a newer home it will be free and clear of defects. The fact is the opposite may be true. The savings of a few hundred dollars and a little time can quickly result in unforeseen repair bills and tremendous headaches.
Today’s local market is flooded with "gently used" homes. Some folks get relocated shortly after their purchase. Others decide, for one reason or another, they need to upgrade their living quarters.
Just because a home was recently built doesn’t mean that it is free of flaws. The quality of construction can vary from builder to builder and sometimes mistakes do happen. Even if the home you want to buy is still under warranty, it pays to have an inspector find the problems before you move in. Inspecting a home is no different than having a mechanic inspect a used vehicle. If it makes sense to check out a car, it makes sense to check out a house worth many times more.
The purpose of an inspection is to protect you and make you aware of the overall condition of the property. Competent Realtors will suggest very strongly that you have the property inspected, but it is only your fault if you ignore the suggestion. Getting an inspection is the buyer's responsibility, no one else's.
Besides getting an inspection, it is also very important that you have a clause put into the purchase contract to protect you in case of problems. Inspectors are usually called in after you and the seller have written a contract, but before settlement. This is generally a 10 to 15 day period. You want to be sure you can get out of that contract if a significant problem is discovered by the inspector.
Finally, be sure you are using a reputable inspector, a Certified Professional Home Inspector, for example, who is registered in the state in which you are buying your home. In addition, your Realtor-agent probably knows professionals who are good at what they do. You should always get a list and interview the prospective inspector yourself. Obviously, it is not advisable to use the seller's Realtor for a referral if you are the buyer because of potential conflict-of-interest problems.
Hiring a reputable inspector is important, because you don't have much recourse if items missed during the inspection become problems later. You will probably have to sign a waiver before the inspection, saying the inspector would not be accountable for problems he may have missed. Fees typically range from $250 to $500, depending on the company and the size of your prospective home.
Most home inspections usually last about two to three hours. A prospective buyer should accompany the inspector during the process since this will give them first hand knowledge of any problems that are identified. It is not the role of the inspector to evaluate a home’s purchase price or general property value.
Chris Prickett is Owner of Landmark Home Inspection. He is a state certified home inspector and licensed general contractor as well as a member of ASHI. He can be reached for questions and comments at www.ispydfx.com or 623-551-9511.
Copyright © 2006 by Liz Suto. Liz Suto is a professional writer, real estate agent and Anthem Arizona resident. Look for her articles at the PhoenixAz Insider website and in Phoenix area magazines and newspapers.
