Finding the Right Home Inspector.

Finding the right home inspector to thoroughly assess the home you are interested in purchasing is an important part of preventing problems for both the buyer and seller. A highly qualified home inspector will reveal problems you may never have noticed when you were walking through the home, and the information he or she provides you with will help you make a better purchase decision. Below we’ll share some tips with you on finding a home inspector that is right for you:

• Research: In most states, home inspectors are not regulated, so it is important to do plenty of due diligence before you make a choice. First, speak to friends and family members that you trust and ask them for any referrals they may be able to give you. Second, read online reviews on the home inspectors you are interested in — check Google, Facebook, Yelp and other online review sites. Third, make sure to see if they have any complaints lodged against them with the Better Business Bureau. Finally, see if he or she is a member in good standing with the American Society of Home Inspectors. While this final step is not necessary, it is helpful.
• Talk to your mortgage banker: Your local mortgage banker may be an excellent resource for finding the right home inspector. If you’ve already secured a mortgage banker, ask for a reference!
• Interview your prospects: Never hire a home inspector without conducting either a telephone of personal interview with them. Make sure you find out how long they have been in business and how many home inspections they have done. Keep in mind that a home inspector may have been in business for five years, but has only done 4 inspections over that time. Make sure they have a consistent track record of doing home inspections, as that is usually an indicator of the quality of their work and the trust other clients have put in him or her.
• Check the relationships: A home inspector should have no connection to the seller or agent. The last thing you need is a conflict of interest.

Good luck on the purchase of your new home!