Get a home inspection!
The house I just purchased is roughly 40 years old. Although I had the opportunity to thoroughly look at the home before deciding to buy it, the piece of mind that an experienced home inspector gave me is well worth it.
As a realtor, I'm trained to look at those items in a home that a buyer might otherwise overlook. But it's hard to spot everything when caught up in the excitement, and it's nice to have another pair of eyes to identify things that need to be address over time, just so you get a more complete picture of what you're getting into. It's also a great opportunity for the buyer to ask lots of questions from the home inspector with respects to the construction of the home, and how everything works. They should also be able to tell you about current standards and trends in the industry, and give you advice on safety issues surrounding your home.
As it turns out, my new home requires standard maintenance items only. A solid foundation, newer windows, strong mechanicals and 5 more years left on the roof have put my mind at ease, that our house will not only become a comfortable home to us, but also a solid investment in the years ahead.
Posted by Szabolcs Pall
on November 8, 2009