WANT TO TEST DRIVE YOUR HOME? GET A HOME INSPECTION

There's one part of a real estate transaction that often gets overlooked. Or worse yet, in the interest of saving $300-$400, isn't done at all. That is a home inspection. Sometimes, it's confused with an appraisal. An appraisal is a valuation of a property done by an appraiser, and generally done in conjunction with a purchase money loan or a refinance. Its purpose is to give an accurate value range to the lender and client. In California, appraisers are governed by the OREA .

A home inspection is a valuation of property condition. It is generally done as part of a buyer's contingency period for investigating a property being purchased. Basically, it gives a buyer the opportunity to test drive the home they are about to buy. A lender does not require a home inspection. A very important note here. In California,as in most states, there is no formal licensing requirement for home inspectors. Kinda' scary,huh? However, there is a recognized association that oversees those inspectors with a greater level of education and commitment. It is the NAHI.





So what do you get for your $300-$400? Well, you get a general overview of a property's condition from crawl space to rafters. Keep in mind that an inspector may not be a contractor, and isn't being paid for those services. Instead, consider him a trained eye looking for hidden problems. Those problems can range from electrical, water leakage, pressure, health and safety to grading, plumbing and a host of other potential issues.
Even in a normal real estate market, almost any(including new) properties have some issues. And if your current market is like ours in The Inland Empire area of Southern California, most of the properties you are seeing are "distressed". That's a polite word for beat up.
So why would it be the best $300-$400 you loose? Well, if your home inspection reveals major problems you don't want to inherit, or the seller won't agree to fix, you have a right to cancel your contract. And keep in mind, no seller is bound to fix anything you discover.
If you do happen to live in this general area, I do recommend an inspector for you to consider.
His name is Jim Turner, and you can visit his website by clicking here. And to see what a home inspection looks like, click here .