ABSOLUTELY! In Texas, home inspectors are licensed and all have the same checklist form to fill out. You may want to ask your REALTOR® for names of home inspectors they like or check online with Texas Real Estate Commission who licenses inspectors or Texas Association of Home Inspectors or if from another state try Google for your states home inspection association.
A home inspector will check everything from the roof to whether the windows open and close to the temperature in your oven. When you buy a home, you should know what condition it's in so you will know what challenges you will face as a home owner. An average inspection takes 3 hours. Yes, it should be very thorough. It's also your opportunity to ask the inspector questions about the property condition and often they will explain how to care for the house like the foundation, air conditioner or water heater. A good inspector will also advise you as to the seriousness of each imperfection. For instance if it's an easy fix with a 39 cent item from the hardware store or if the foundation is questionable enough to check with an engineer.
If there are serious repairs like needing a new roof or many repairs like several dripping faucets you may want to negotiate that the seller make those repairs before you purchase or compensate you for those repairs. The seller cannot give the buyer money for repairs because that is a violation of the mortgage rules and considered mortgage fraud but options we use in Austin are for the seller to pay the repair amount toward the buyer's closing costs or reduce the price of the home by the repair amount.
Happy home hunting.
If you are interested in buying or selling a house in the greater Austin area email or call me. robin@robinscottrealtor.com or 512.589.7988
Also visit my Web site at http://www.robinscottrealtor.com
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Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.
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