home inspection (recommendation, agents, construction, inspectors)

[JFRRACING]

how important is it to get a home inspection and how should i go about finding a good home inspector ?

[LaceyEx]

JFR-it is very important. Your realtor should be able to give you a few names to choose from. Be careful-get someone reputable.

Happy Thanksgiving.

[gbone]

I consider a home inspection absolutely critical when purchasing a home, whether it is a new or older home. If you're working with an experienced full time Realtor that you trust then ask them for recommendations of two or three good home inspectors. You should expect that the inspector is thorough, prompt, presents an easily understandable written and well documented report, is willing to discuss any issues on the report with you, and holds appropriate state/national certifications.

[Poltracker]

An inspection and a survey are very important unless you are into construction and can verify the condition of the home yourself. Try not to use an inspector recommended by either realtor, ask around to friends who recently purchased and see who they used and if they were satisfied. There may be a website for your area listing certified inspectors.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by JFRRACING

how important is it to get a home inspection and how should i go about finding a good home inspector ?

Why do you ask? What do you think the answers will be?

[gbone]

Originally Posted by Poltracker

An inspection and a survey are very important unless you are into construction and can verify the condition of the home yourself. Try not to use an inspector recommended by either realtor, ask around to friends who recently purchased and see who they used and if they were satisfied. There may be a website for your area listing certified inspectors.

If you are working with a good Realtor that you trust then I think they are an excellent source for inspector recommendations. If you don't trust them for this type of recommendation then you need to change Realtors.

[JFRRACING]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

Why do you ask? What do you think the answers will be?

the reason i'm asking is because we are moving out of state and i didn't know that a realetor could help us with that. i have just heard so many horror stories about home inspectors that give you nothing but a good screwing. that's why i ask.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by Poltracker

An inspection and a survey are very important unless you are into construction and can verify the condition of the home yourself. Try not to use an inspector recommended by either realtor, ask around to friends who recently purchased and see who they used and if they were satisfied. There may be a website for your area listing certified inspectors.

Originally Posted by gbone

If you are working with a good Realtor that you trust then I think they are an excellent source for inspector recommendations. If you don't trust them for this type of recommendation then you need to change Realtors.

I'm with gbone here.

My clients benefit from the fact that I routinely see many inspection reports, from both sides of the transaction.
If they want more than one inspector to select from, I know several very good ones.
I also know inspectors, and see reports, that make me cringe due to the ineptitude of the inspector either in identifying issues, or describing issues.

All home inspectors in North Carolina must be licensed. That doesn't guarantee skill or diligence.
Some of them (Like some real estate agents. That gene pool thing...) are, frankly, idiots. But they all have families who want to see them get work, and many of them have "fans" including former clients who do not know what a home inspection is.
Be careful to know why someone refers the inspector to you. You might be talking to his Aunt Susie...

[wankel7]

Also, come inspection time it is very important you attend your inspection. So you can look over their shoulder. Also, you can ask questions as you go along. They are a wealth of knowledge!

And also think about getting the sewer scoped. And if radon is in the area you should also get a radon test.

[Poltracker]

...and don't forget a survey.