Should I get a home inspection?

A lot of the homes that are currently on the market in Arizona are short sales or REO’s (bank owned). This means they are being sold “As-Is” and the seller will not make any repairs. Buyers of these types of homes ask me as their realtor if they should spend the money to have it professionally inspected since the seller will not make any repairs. My response it “absolutely”!  A professional home inspection alerts you to any potential problems with the home. In addition to a home inspection, I recommend that buyers have a termite inspection as well. In the event that you are purchasing a home from a traditional seller, I still recommend the home be inspected. If the seller has their home on the market competing with REO and short sale listings, odds are they really want to sell and will make the corrections needed in order to facilitate a successful sale. 

Home inspections are not just for buyers.  I recommend that potential sellers have their home inspected prior to listing it for sale.  This gives the seller the opportunity to make the corrections BEFORE a buyer comes along. Typically the traditional seller has already reduced their desired list price in order to be able to compete with the distressed listings. There is nothing worst than accepting an offer lower than you want then finding out the home needs repairs that the buyer is requesting you pay for further reducing your net proceeds. 

Who do I recommend for a home inspection? I use and recommend Nick Boekenoogen, Liberty Inspections.  Nick can be reached at 602-818-1870. His home inspections include the following: 

Building site, grading and drainage, retaining walls, sidewalk, driveways, fences, gates, walls and patios.

Structural components, foundation, floors, walls, columns, exterior walls, roof and ceiling, underfloor crawl spaces.

Exterior, wall cladding, flashing and trim, exterior doors, windows, garage doors, decks and balconies, porches and railings, eaves and vegetation.

Roof coverings,drainage systems, flashings, evidence of leakage, roof top deck surfaces and parapet walls.

Plumbing system, interior supply, fixtures, functional flow, supply leaks, cross connections, waste and vent system, drain leaks, functional drainage, water heater, safety controls, flues and combustion air vents and fuel distribution system.

Electrical system, service conductor, service grounding, over current protection, branch circuits conductors, main and distribution panels, aluminum wiring, compatibility, lights, switches, receptacles and ground fault circuit interrupters.  

Heating equipment, controls, safety controls, flues and vents, solid fuel heating devices, distribution system, air filters and heat source.

Central air conditioning equipment, controls, distribution, cooling source and return air location.

Interior, walls, ceilings floors, stairs, balconies, counters and cabinetry, doors, fire separation wall and doors.

Insulation, crawl space and roof ventilation, vapor retarders, kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room and dryer ventilation.