Home Inspector Recommendation Needed: Mud Island (real estate, insurance, credit)

[2000Hoo]

Looking at buying a place in Harbor Town but need a good recommendation on a home inspector. Looking for someone who is very thorough & isn't going to sugarcoat any findings. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Ginsaw]

Others will have specfic suggestions maybe, but I can tell you how NOT to go about it. Don't get someone who's in home inspecting only part time and whose first job has nothing to do with real estate. And don't get an inspector whose main qualification is being related to someone involved in the transaction. And remember no matter who the inspector is, it's no substitute for you probing into every last thing yourself and asking lots of questions.

Ask when each appliance was last replaced. They typically are good for between 10 and 20 years and after that start needing replacement. Make sure the central air unit is not rusting out. It can work fine and look good on the outside but be on its last leg on the inside. If there's a fireplace look up the chimney and make sure the flue isn't corroded out and there are no loose bricks (like the ones that almost fell and hit me on the head the first time I looked up in it...that was after a so-called inspection). Make sure the swimming pool's not leaking. See if any big trees are over the sewer line, and if so ask if the sewer ever stops up. Pull up what rugs you can and see if they are hiding an uneven slab. If there are only window A/C units upstairs, ask why central air doesn't reach there. Make sure no flat roofs...they leak something awful. Make sure no big trees overhanging the house...or otherwise be prepared to have to remove them some day.

The inspector has to be real knowledgeable about building codes, electrical and plumbing codes etc. Otherwise you might be allowed to buy something that won't pass inspection when you go to sell and you can get stuck with expensive repairs.

And in today's world I would probably like to know my inspector carries liability insurance.

I could go on and on with this, but it'd make for too long a post. However, you get the idea...

[MemphisMeantime]

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