If youre wondering how to find a good home inspector, youre not alone. No matter how amazinga home looks,youll want to kick those tireshardbefore you buy. And that means youneed toknow how to find a good home inspector.

A home inspectorexaminesa homeand points outany flaws, from aleaky roofto afaulty foundation. Typically homeinspections happen in the days after your offer has been acceptedbut before you close the deal.That way, you canaccurately gauge whether you really want to move forward, cut your losses, or renegotiate with the sellerfor a fairer price.

But aninspection is only as good as your inspector, so you have to make sure youre dealing with someone who really knows their stuff. Heres how to find a home inspector whollace the job.

Are home inspectorslicensed?

It seems like a no-brainer to hire an inspector who has been licensed or certified, but its not as simple as you think, according toFrank Lesh, executive director of the nonprofit American Society of Home Inspectors.

Not every state requires home inspectors to be licensed, and for those that do, the licenses can mean varying degrees ofexpertise, depending on the states requirements. There are also independent groups that certify inspectors where the quality varies considerably.

Years ago, if you said you were certified, that meant something. But now there are companies online that give away certifications like popcorn, says Lesh. So its important to research what the requirements for a specific license or certification are.

ASHI has its own certification that is rigorous and must be renewed every three years. You can search forcertified inspectors by specialty on theASHI website.

Do you need a specialist?

For most people, a good general inspector is all you need. Inspectors check only the visible parts of the homethey cant open up wallsso if your inspector flags something that looks amiss, youll probably need to call someone else to dig deeper. Its not at all uncommon to bring in an HVAC specialist, electrician, roofer, or plumber to give you an expert opinion based on an issue the inspector noted in the report.

However, thereareinspectors who specialize in certain types of issues. If youre buying a commercial property, youll want an inspector familiar with the requirements for the type of business youll be running. If yourebuying an older home, youll want someone familiar with historic houses and theircommon problems. There are specialists in radon testing, lead testing, FHA certification, and all kinds of other specific concerns. If you need someone with a specialty, that will quickly narrow your search even more.

How to find a good home inspector

Once youve found a few inspectors who meet your qualifications, youll want to talk to them and make sure your communication styles mesh. This is the person whos going to be explaining what they find in your house to you. You want someone you can trust and who explains things in a way that makes sense to you.

Lesh compares it to getting a physical: When you get back all of your test results, you want someone whose bedside manner you like explaining what the resultsreally mean for your long-term health.

Ask for a samplereport

A good way to get a sense of how an inspector thinks is to see a sample report. This will give you an idea of how thorough the inspector isand how heexplains problems, especially technical ones. Just remember: The inspectors job is just to point out the issues to you, not to suggest fixes, estimate costs, or give advice about what to ask the sellers for in compensation.

By reading a sample report, you can get a feeling for whether or not this person can communicate problems in a way you feel confident that you understand. Forfirst-time home buyers, its also a good way to see the kinds of issues that pop up during inspections. After all, if you dont know what to expect, it can seemoverwhelming to hear this barrage of problems with the house you were excited to buy. The sample report will temper your expectations.

Questions to ask a homeinspector

Before you hire someone, here are some questions you should make sure to ask:

• What are your qualifications?(See above for more detail.)
• How long have you been doing this?Newer inspectors cando a good job, but you probably dont want to be an inspectorsfirst client!
• How much do you charge?Lesh cautions that if someone is asking significantly less than other candidates, that could be a red flag.
• How long will the inspection take?The answer will be a ballpark figure, but if an inspector quotes you just an hour for a 100-year-old house, you might want to think again.
• Can I come along on the inspection?The answer to this should always be yes! Its imperative that you understand the issues in the house, and having the inspector show you in personwill always be better than reading a report. Also, most inspectors will point out things to you that arent necessarily a problem, but will require maintenance at some point. The inspection is a great opportunity to learn how to take care of your new home, and perhaps to get a punch list of things that will need to be repaired or replaced in your first few years of home ownership. For first-time homeowners especially, this is an incredibly valuable service that you wont want to miss

I can help you find that inspector also, so don't hesitate to call me, Marie McLaughlin 727-858-7569.

Source:https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/how-to-find-a-good-home-inspector/