Important questions to ask your home inspector.

When purchasing a home, home inspections often put the buyer's mind at ease and may allow for renegotiation. An inspection also gives buyers an opportunity to opt out of the sale if major problems are discovered. Here are some important questions that buyers should ask their home inspector.

• Are you a member in good standing of a professional inspectors organization, such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or the National Institute of Building Inspectors (NIBI)? (Some states require a license).Inspectors (NIBI)? (Some states require a license).
• What is your specialty? If the inspector only has training in one area and has no other expertise, the inspection may not be comprehensive. 
• Do you have references? 
• How long have you been in business and how many inspections have you performed? 
• What advanced technology do you use? (i.e.-infrared camera, ultrasound machine)What exactly does the inspection cover? (i.e.-plumbing, heat, electric, structure, alarms, sewer, foundation)
• Can we accompany you on the inspection?
• Do you carry all necessary insurance, including professional liability, general liability, and errors and omissions insurance?
• Does the report include estimates of repair costs
• Do you offer a written guarantee on the inspection?What type of report will I receive, and when will I receive it?

If there is a specific area of concern, hiring a professional who specializes in that area may beneficial. Also, be aware that there may be a conflict of interest if the home inspector also offers to perform repairs.

Tips for buying and selling homes at the same time

When you are buying a property while selling a property your real estate agent is more important than ever. A qualified and competent agent should be able to give you an accurate estimation of the price your current property may trade for, which is crucial if the sale of the property is contingent on the purchase of another.

Follow the same basic rules when selling your home: get organized by disposing or donating unused items, stage your property, and pack anything you don’t need on a daily basis in preparation for a move. Get a home inspection and make any necessary repairs for your potential buyers and a pre-approval letter to give to sellers of a property you may be interested in. Any proactive and preventative steps you complete will expedite both the home selling and buying process.

When listing your home be realistic with potential offers and ask for a closing date that fits your schedule. Perhaps, if the property you are purchasing is contingent on the sale of your current property, you can ask your buyers for an early closing date. If you have yet to find a property to purchase, you may ask for a later closing date so you won’t have to rent in the interim. No matter what your circumstances are, organization, pre-planning, in-depth knowledge of your finances, coupled with a skilled and experienced real estate professional, are vital aspects to the process.

Important Questions To Ask Your Home Inspector

When purchasing a home, home inspections often put the buyer's mind at ease and may allow for renegotiation. An inspection also gives buyers an opportunity to opt out of the sale if major problems are discovered. Here are some important questions that buyers should ask their home inspector.

• Are you a member in good standing of a professional inspectors organization, such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or the National Institute of Building Inspectors (NIBI)? (Some states require a license)
• What is your specialty? If the inspector only has training in one area and has no other expertise, the inspection may not be comprehensive.
• What exactly does the inspection cover? (i.e.-plumbing, heat, electric, structure, alarms, sewer, foundation).
• Do you have references? How long have you been in business and how many inspections have you performed?
• What advanced technology do you use? (i.e.-infrared camera, ultrasound machine)
• Do you carry all necessary insurance, including professional liability, general liability, and errors and omissions insurance?
• Does the report include estimates of repair costs?
• Do you offer a written guarantee on the inspection?
• What type of report will I receive, and when will I receive it?

If there is a specific area of concern, hiring a professional who specializes in that area may beneficial. Also, be aware that there may be a conflict of interest if the home inspector also offers to perform repairs.