Peace of Mind for Home Inspections: Choose the Right Inspector!

As sure as the spring flows at The Fountain of Youth, home inspecting provides a stream of knowledge to wash away the fears of home buyers. But fear may be replaced by frustration if the wrong inspector is chosen! Some pointers on selecting your next home inspector will go a long way toward making the process a happy one.

• Be sure to ask how long the inspector has been in the inspection business. Longevity gives comfort that the company will be with you in the future as new needs and issues arise.
  
• How many inspections has the inspector personally performed? This is important! An inspector may have been in business for 5 years but inspected less than a dozen homes. Your home buying decision is far too important to be a practice place for a part-time inspector.
  
• Confirm that your inspector has experience in homes similar to the home you are having inspected. All homes have some systems and features in common, but new home in Eagle Harbor has risks and issues that differ from an historic beauty in St. Augustine. Only someone who has walked the walk and crawled the crawl numerous times in similar homes can sleuth out those important items.
  
• Did the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) certify the inspector? In Florida, the business of home inspection is unregulated. This makes it especially important to verify professional credentials and experiences before making a selection.
  
• Ask when the report will be delivered. Often the buying decision is time critical, you want to be sure you will receive your completed report in time to read, review, and respond. The best companies can deliver the report to you right at the home as the inspection is completed.
  
• Does the completed report include photographs? Often the report will contain descriptions of damage or defect in locations of the home that only the inspector was able to access, like rooftops or crawl spaces. You will want pictures of these areas to make your understanding of the scope and location of the damage clear. It also makes repairs simpler to get estimated when a photograph is available.

Lastly, be sure to attend the home inspection, watch the process, and ask lots of questions - the history of your home will unfold before your very eyes! St. Johns County, as well as the rest of our beautiful area, is rich in homes and heritage, and your home inspector can help you to know the past and enjoy the future in your new home.

Copyright © Florida HomePro, Inc. and Wallace J. Conway. All rights in all media reserved.

About the Author: Wally Conway is President of Florida HomePro Inspections, and is featured regularly on HGTV's "House Detective". As a speaker, writer, instructor, and host of The Happy Home Inspector radio show every Saturday at 5 PM on WOKV 690, Wally blends the right amount of up-to-date information with just the right amount of humor, insight, motivation, and real-world application. Visit http://www.wallyconway.com and http://www.gohomepro.com for more information!

---

Investment Real Estate Secret: Buy a House Today, With No Money Down

If you've read my article "Purchasing Property With No Money... Read More

Investing In Commercial Property

Why commercial property?Compared to residential property investments, commercial property offers... Read More

Decorating to Sell a House by Meeting Three Key Needs

Specific marketing campaigns are no longer just for automobiles and... Read More

How to Become a Successful Real Estate Developer

Real estate investment and development has never been a more... Read More

Property Investing Secrets 7

Property Investing Secrets:How Buying Real Estate Is Like Planning a... Read More

Investing in Real Estate Like a Stock

A REAL ESTATE STOCK PLANGetting out of the bleachers and... Read More

Transforming Doghouses into Dollhouses

Successful real estate investing depends largely on a correct assessment... Read More

I have a buyer for your property and I can sell it now!

A Realtor has just talked to you and said, "I... Read More

Rehab Your Way to Wealth: The Quick Way to Fixer-Upper Success

Completely rebuilding a house is not necessary to make money... Read More

Finding A Capable Agent To Meet Your Real Estate Needs

Whether you're a first-time buyer, selling your current home or... Read More

Chapter One FSBO the Russ Miles thriller/mystery novel

Chapter OneShe reached the phone on its second ring. "This... Read More

Conversation & The Real Estate Investor

One key that makes investors is conversation or should I... Read More

Purchase Online Tenancy Agreements

Buy an on-line Tenancy Agreement now. As a landlord and... Read More

Achieving Positive Cash Flow from Your Real Estate Investments

Even if you're counting on rising property values to eventually... Read More

Fantasy Gap [fast money in real estate]

I was in the rental business for seven-years, made 1.3... Read More

Real Estate Investing: Beware of Subject To Promises

Another real estate writer's mini course, full of promises and... Read More

Making Money In Real Estate - 10 Ways

Making money in real estate is an endless topic that... Read More

Seller Objections To Lease Purchase

A large percentage of the mail we receive are from... Read More

The Psyche of The Seller and The Tenant Buyer

For those of you who were not psychology majors the... Read More

Why Selling on Lease Options is Glorified Landlording

I might upset some folks with this one, but that's... Read More

What Is Home Staging And How Does It Help To Sell My House

Home staging is the concept of preparing a house for... Read More

Investment Real Estate Done Right -- Your Quickest and Safest Path to Wealth

In investment real estate the quickest way to wealth is... Read More

Finding Structural Problems During Escrow ? Small Rural Home Example

In rural home purchases, the transaction is often subject to... Read More

Commercial Real Estate: Assessing The Unique Features Of Commercial Real Estate Parcels

As commercial real estate development progresses into the 21st century,... Read More

Buying Beach Houses in New Zealand: Real Estate and Investment Opportunities

Buying a beach house in New Zealand offers many possibilities.New... Read More

Real Estate Investing - The Motivated Seller

How the heck do you find a "motivated seller?"The motivated... Read More

Green Building Media Fact Sheet - Past, Present & Future

PastSpecialized, niche home builders began constructing resource-efficient, environmentally sensitive homes... Read More

Real Estate Investing - House Problems

Houses can have lots of problemsReal estate investing requires expertise... Read More

Subdividing - But NOT Land!

Many people are familiar with the concept of sub-dividing a... Read More

Dealing With Dual Real Estate Agents

Historically, real estate agents have represented the seller of a... Read More

Refinance Rental Property - Dont Sell It

You own a rental property for years, and never see... Read More

Searching the Hawaii Property Listings

Maui is an island so full of life and vivacity... Read More

Budgeting Your Log Home - Creating a Checklist

If you've read my first article, BUDGETING YOUR LOG HOME:... Read More