Have Your Home Inspected Before You Sign Your Mortgage Papers

One of the biggest mistakes many home buyers make is not having a thorough home inspection done prior to signing the papers to buy the home and start the mortgage The time to find out about a termite infestation, water damage or structural problems is before the mortgage is signed, not afterward. A thorough home inspection should be an integral part of any sales agreement.

There are many places to have a thorough home inspection performed. There are many companies and individuals in the home inspection market, and it is important to make sure that the person or company you choose is licensed by the proper home inspection organizations for your area. And make sure the home inspection service is ready to guarantee their work and stand behind their inspection report.

Be sure to get references from past customers of the home inspection service or home inspector as well. Talk to the homeowner yourself. Find out how pleased they were with the inspector’s services, and, most importantly, if any hidden damage was missed by their inspection. Remember that your home is your most important investment. You will want to make sure it is well protected.

All parts of the home should be inspected prior to signing the mortgage or agreeing to purchase the home. The home inspection should include the structure itself, the roof, the heating and air conditioning system, the plumbing, and of course the electrical system.

A home inspection is not expensive, and it provides much needed piece of mind. After the home inspection has been performed, be sure to get a written report to supply to the real estate agent and the home seller. You will need to determine if any problems found are a deal breaker, and if not if the repairs will be made at the seller’s expense, or if the price can be lowered to allow the buyer to do the repairs themselves. It is vital that all these items be worked out before any mortgage paperwork is signed.