Home Inspectors

The content for this article regarding home inspections, was provided by the good people at Housemaster home inspectors in Albany NY. Thank you for your contribution!

The Real Estate market can be a tough one to figure out, especially for first time home buyers. There are lots of big choices to make; would you be well suited to living in a condominium, or something more family focused, like a detached home?

Whatever you choose, you're going to need a home inspector completed. A home inspection is something that is done to evaluate the exterior areas of a home, therefore nothing that requires dismantling walls, or other parts of the home. The trained eye of an experienced home inspector will be able to evaluate, by examining the property, its safety, quality, and general condition. After the home inspection is complete, the inspector will be able to tell you if any more in depth work needs to be done. In such a case you may need to hire a plumber, for instance. For your own comfort, safety and peace of mind, its nice to know before you move in that any needed work has been taken care of. Ideally, should the inspector tell you about any existing issues the home may have, you will be able to work out a plan to have things repaired and updated before you move in by the current owner.

You may be wondering what sorts of things a home inspector would be able to evaluate that you couldn't do yourself. It seems simple, but there are lots of things to think about. Would you be able to identify a toilet that needs replacing, or a fireplace that isn't considered safe to use? Does the home have proper ventilation? How about the roof? It may look alright, but it might need replacing. You don't want to find that out too late, by having a rain storm dripping though your ceiling. A lot of people are finding themselves drawn to communities which offer out of town living next to a major metropolitan city. By allowing a professional to take care of things, you're handing the responsibility, and the accountability over to them. Doing things by the book with a professional can pay off in the long term.

It is also important to know what to expect from a home inspector. It is recommended that you follow along with them as they look at everything, so that you are familiar with the property yourself. Do not be afraid to ask questions, they are there to help. A reputable real estate group will be more than happy to answer any of your questions and clarify and concerns you may have. There are however some specific things that a home inspector will not be responsible for checking. These include, but are not limited to, pest control, zoning issues, environmental hazards, value appraisal, gas appliances, and unforeseeable future problems.

Take the time and make the investment in a good home inspector. You want and need someone who is strait forward, experienced and knowledgeable to verify that your potential new home is in adequate condition for you to live in. It may seem like an inconvenient expense at the time, but the pay off down the road can sometimes be priceless.