post-purchase home inspections

Ok, let's face it, in today's housing market, home buyers are being advised to buy a home with no conditions. That's right, no financing or home inspection conditions...that means you are essentially buying a home for cash and buying it 'as is'.  Wow, buying a home is likely the biggest investment you'll make and now you're advised not to finance it or get it inspected.  I'm glad I bought my last house 20 years ago without these unfair pressures!

I can't speak on the financing aspect but I've got 25 years of experience in the home inspection industry so that's what I'll address.  Home Inspection Consutants Inc. is now doing more post-purchase property inspections than pre-purchase house inspections. This is quite a shift in the home inspection industry.  When we first started back in 1994, post-purchase building inspections didn't exist.

We get paid either way, before the purchase or after the purchase, so whichever you choose is up to you BUT it is clearly more beneficial to the home buyer to have a pre-purchase home inspection because then you can make an INFORMED decision on your biggest investment.

So, how can a post-purchase home inspection save you money or help you when you've already bought the house?

• Home Inspection Consultants Inc. offers a free 90-day warranty. So if a covered component is functional at the time of the home inspection and meets certain criteria, it will likely be covered under the home inspection warranty. This can provide you with some Peace Of Mind.

• A post-purchase home inspection can help you better understand your home and prioritize maintenance and repair items. Our home inspector is at your disposal to answer all your questions as he is doing your house inspection. The home inspection may identify many cost-saving and energy-efficient ideas thus saving you money in the long run.

• If the house was misrepresented when it was sold to you, ie. you were told that the shingles are 4 years old but they are in fact 14 years old, not installed by a professional and installed over two layers of existing shingles, you can investigate this further with the appropriate parties.

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• Most people call us as soon as they have taken possession of their house and before they move in.  This way, there is no furniture, stored items etc. which can hinder the inspection. If any safety items are identified (like carbon monoxide leaks), it's always best to know prior to moving in.

Even if you have moved into the home, it's not too late to call Home Inspection Consultants Inc. We Provide Peace of Mind.