You’ve been working with your agent for months and you’ve finally found the house of your dreams.  The offer was

accepted, and the loan application has been made.  Congratulations!  What’s next?  Closing?

Reprinted from http://www.nrvliving.com/2010/06/24/questions-to-ask-before-and-during-your-home-inspection/

Questions To Ask During Your Home Inspection

By Jeremy Hart, NRVLiving.com and Coldwell Banker Townside, Realtors Blacksburg, VA

One of the most important steps to take when buying a

home is the home inspection, and while nearly all of my

clients do them (that might have something to do with the

fact that I tell them “you will do a home inspection”),

sometimes buyers forego them.  I’d encourage you not to,

however, as it’s really an excellent opportunity a few hours

looking “under the surface” at the real condition of the

house you’re buying.

Of course, as a new home buyer you might not have a

home inspector on speed dial.  It’s okay – I do.  In fact, I

have several that I use on a regular basis because they do

such a good job for a clients.  When you go under

contract, we’re going to send you a list of inspectors that

we like to use, and who we think would be a good fit for

your new home; all are licensed by either the National

Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) or the American

Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), and in some cases

they’re licensed by both.  While I can’t say “use this

inspector”, I can tell you the ones I’d suggest using, and

from there would encourage you to contact them and ask

them three very important pre-home inspection

questions:

1. What will the inspection cover, and when would I

receive your report?

2. Can I see a copy of a report you would prepare after

an inspection?

3. How do you stay current on industry standards?

Notice I didn’t include “how much does it cost?”. While

counting dollars and cents is important in the real

estate transaction, the home inspection is not an

area to cut corners.  Typically an inspection will

range from $275-500, but factor this cost into your

budget – it’s worth every penny.

The questions aren’t done there, though.  Attend

your inspection.  Ask questions – lots of them.  I wouldn’t recommend an inspector who didn’t want

to be asked questions, and I guarantee you’ll learn a

ton.  And if you don’t know what to ask, here’s a list

of things to get you started:

1. Where is the main water shut off valve to the

house?

2. What’s the typical life span of a roof like

what’s on this particular home?  Is there any

special maintenance that needs to be done

to it?

3. If there’s access to the attic, what does the

attic look like?  Is this usable space, i.e. a

place to store unused boxes and things?

4. Is the electrical panel full, or is there room to

expand?

5. How is the drainage around the house?

Attend the inspection, ask questions, and listen.  

A home inspector who says “I don’t know” isn’t a bad inspector – in fact, they’re doing you a favor by not jumping to

conclusions and making inaccurate statements.  Take part in the process, and you’ll be that much closer to buying the right

home for your future.

Jeremy Hart a licensed real estate agent at Coldwell Banker Townside Realtors in Blacksburg, Virginia, and founding member of NRVLiving Real

Estate.  If interested, his license number is #0225077937, and he’s been a licensee in good standing of the New River Valley Association, the Virginia

Association, and the National Association of Realtors since January 2004.  You can contact him at jeremy at nrvliving dot com. 

Disclaimer: I’m just a real estate agent and while I’m one piece of the puzzle, don’t forget to consult your attorney, tax professional and librarian

before making a financial or real estate decision. It should be noted that the articles in this blog are solely my opinion, and likewise those who leave

comments are providing their opinions, as well..  These are not the opinions of Coldwell Banker Townside Realtors, their affiliates or any employee

thereof.  Coldwell Banker Townside has been gracious in allowing me the freedom to discuss real estate in whatever way I choose, but they are not

responsible for the content included herein.  Any information or statistics I post are deemed accurate, but are not guaranteed.  I will also not sell or

release your email address to anyone unless ordered to do so by a court of law.  I won’t contact you unless you contact me first.  Finally, all content

is protected by Creative Commons and US Copyright.  If you like something you read here, feel free to use and quote small portions of text as long as

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