Your home investments and the need for home inspection

The home market has been more stringent in terms of requirements and contingencies. Homebuyers are making sure that the house they are buying is worth the funds that they will invest, particularly if the home considered is already an existing structure or a foreclosed home. For such reasons, a [URL REMOVED] is required before closing the deal. Prospective homebuyers rely on the inspection results of certified real estate home inspectors to gauge whether they will proceed with the transaction, require additional rehabilitation work from the seller, or turn down the deal.

Pre-sale home inspection from certified home inspectors could provide sellers with a good deal from the home sales transaction. Although it appears redundant to undertake such a procedure since the buyers will most likely have their own home inspection services before deciding to buy a home. However, such inspections will inform the seller on potential problems in their homes that are not very obvious or not easily detected by the untrained eye. Knowing these flaws will give the seller time to remedy the problem before selling.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:39AM by Moderator : Link removed use signature or profile

Lee Warren

Inspector · Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas

74 posts
382 Influence
2 Awards

Icon_minipost Dec 16 '08, 07:57 AM

Though I understand the logic of what you are talking about, there are some incorrect details there. First off, many states do not even have licensing requirements for home inspectors. Last time I checked, California doesn't have one. Most inspectors there are simply members of a national organization such as NASHI or others like it. Second, of the states that do have licensing requirements for home inspectors, I can't think of any that actually have a home inspection certification for a home. Much less, I also don't know of any situation where it is required.
One mistake that homebuyers make is giving the inspection report to the lender or their insurance company. A homebuyer should never give an inspection report to either of those.
In Texas, a license is required in order to be a home inspector. Being both a licensed home inspector and a licensed real estate broker, I tend to look at this from different perspectives. I am also an investor and a property manager.
Though I always strongly recommend that any and every home buyer gets a home inspection, it is always an option in the end.

Lee Warren
Licensed Home Inspector #8411
Prospect Inspectors, Inc.

Licensed Real Estate Broker
Property Manager
Prospect Realty, Inc.

[REMOVED]

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:40AM by Moderator : phone number removed, use signature or profile

Adrian Pillow

General Contractor · Warrenton, Virginia

69 posts
35 Influence
2 Awards

Icon_minipost Dec 16 '08, 10:06 AM

I agree with Lee.

Also most of the home inspectors I see are not that well versed in actual home improvements! They do not need to have a construction background to become a home inspector, at least in VA. So yes you end up spending 3-400 on a home inspection that may or may not be helpful to you... After all there is NO WARRANTY on a home inspection. IMO if you are educated on the basics of construction/home improvements then save the $ for real work that needs done.

On personal note, I remodel houses for a living... Sometimes I don't know what is behind that drywall either! ;) But you have to make reasonable assumptions given the information you have to get the job done and done right. In the end the risk is on me.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:40AM

Lee Warren

Inspector · Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas

74 posts
382 Influence
2 Awards

Icon_minipost Dec 17 '08, 03:40 AM

Adrian brings up a good point as well. I remember when I was going through my courses to get my inspector's license years back. I was the only one that had any kind of construction experience at all. I already had a few years under my belt of purchasing and rehabbing homes. In Texas, you only need to pass the written test in order to obtain your license. The Texas Real Estate Commission tried to put rules in place to require a level of experience before someone could get their license. That was since drawn back considerably to basically just include another class. When shopping around for an inspector, I would ask about their experience and exactly what they are or are not willing to inspect. You might find that many inspectors will not actually walk the roof or go under a pier and beam house. Those are just two examples, but they are huge aspects of what can cost a lot of money in a prospective house.

Lee Warren

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:41AM by Administrator : Signature info belongs in your signature