Home Inspections - Are they really necessary?

I've had many buyers ask this over the years, whether or not an inspection of the property is really necessary when buying a home.  A lot of cities now require some sort of inspection be done prior to or at the time of listing, whether it be just a well/septic inspection or a full structural inspection.  While this information is very handy when looking at properties, it should not be the only inspection you rely on to decide if that particular home is the right one for you.  These city inspections do not go into the full depth that a buyer's home inspection will dig.

I think I'll have my handy father do the inspection.  Or maybe my uncle who's a contractor?  While these people may have a good base of knowledge on a home, they have not gone through the training required to be an inspector.  It's very possible they may not know what to watch for on a foundation, in a particular neighborhood or style of house, to adequately inform you on whether or not it is collapsing.   Your father or uncle likely specialize in certain areas and can be a great sounding board for rehab/remodeling ideas in the future, but they will not give you the scope of information that a quality licensed inspector can.

It is always best to perform a full home inspection, prior to committing to the purchase, so that you can truly get a feel for the home's strengths and weaknesses.  It's extremely important to be present during said inspection as well.  This will give you a chance to have someone walk you through how the mechanicals work, if there's moisture seeping in, where to find certain things (like your gas/electric/water meter!) and how each part of the home functions.  If after the inspection, you find that there is much more work than the naked eye could detect, you may be able cancel your purchase agreement. However, your purchase agreement must be contingent on the home inspection in order to have the right to cancel and retain your earnest money.

If you have any questions on home inspections, need the name of a quality inspector or any other real estate topics, please give me a call or send me an email and I will be happy to help.