Home inspections save time, money and grief

Are you buying a home, selling a home or considering a renovation? Before you begin the process, consider hiring a certified home inspector.

A home inspection can provide you with important information you need to know about the condition of the house. More information equals an informed decision, which equals fewer surprises. Minimize the risk to your investment. No one wants to face serious, unexpected costs.

Selling a home? Show prospective purchasers that every effort has been made to disclose the condition of the home. A listing inspection can equal a faster sale.

Pre-sale home inspections can also point out important safety precautions which buyers will appreciate, such as: installing Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters in "wet" areas, like kitchen countertops, bathrooms, and exterior outlets and keeping flammable products away from heaters, water heaters and fireplaces.

If you own an older home and are considering renovating rather than selling, a home inspection can help you prioritize repairs and maintenance. A pre-renovation inspection equals money spent in the right places.

A home inspection is a comprehensive visual examination of the home's overall structure, major systems and components.

A properly trained home inspector will review your house as a system, looking at how one component of the house might affect the operability or lifespan of another. Components that are not performing properly should be identified as well as items that are beyond their useful life or are unsafe. The purpose of the home inspection is to provide the client with a better understanding of the property conditions, as observed at the time of the inspection.

If identified before finalizing a deal, the cost of major repairs can often be negotiated into the final purchase price or contracted to be done by the vendor prior to purchase. "A subject to home inspection" clause can equal money saved on repairs.

Gain an understanding of the systems in your home, their operation, and required maintenance. Preventative maintenance equals fewer headaches later.

When selecting a home inspector it is important to look for someone with the right professional qualifications, objectivity, and experience; someone who has demonstrated competence in this field, and will not use the inspection, for example, to solicit repair work.

An inspector's membership in a professional home inspectors' association should therefore be a primary consideration.

For further information on home inspections, or to obtain the names of qualified home inspectors in your area, visit: www.cahpi.bc.ca

(Source: Vancouver Sun)