| Include an inspection contingency in your purchase contract. Many lenders now require at least a termite inspection as a condition for making a loan. You may also want to have the house inspected for property defects, lead, radon or other environmental hazards.
Think of these evaluations as quality control. A trained professional may take several hours and charge several hundred dollars to do a detailed home inspection, but it will save you grief and money down the road. Some sellers have their homes inspected before putting them on the market, and make the report available to you. Hire your own expert.
What to look for in a home inspector:
- Experience
- Professional qualifications or specialized training
- Membership in professional home inspectors' group, such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA), or National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI).
- Full-time employment as an inspector
- Errors and omission insurance
- Quick turnaround on a written report
- References
- Willingness to let you attend the inspection
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