If you’re on the fence about whether or not to hire a home inspector, financial guru, Dave Ramsey, has some advice: do it. According to him, “buying a home without an inspection is the same as buying a car without even kicking the tires.”
You can go it alone and hope for the best. But without an inspection, you don’t really know the value of what you’re committing to. Here’s what he has to say about the benefits of a professional inspection before the sale.
Home Inspections Have Real Value
Some buyers look at the fee associated with a home inspection and that’s when they balk. With so many other checks being written and appointments being made, one more on the stack might seem like the final straw. Dave Ramsey says that it’s not.
A home inspector will identify defects that matter to your quality of life, the condition of the home and even your safety. For example, if there’s an issue with the electrical system, spotting it early lets you plan for repairs or an upgrade, or they might encourage you to think harder about whether or not it’s really a smart investment. Repair costs can add up in a hurry if the home has a lot of defects.
Unless You’re a Professional Contractor, You Need Help
Most people can spot a home in serious disrepair. But what about identifying structural issues, HVAC defects or missing flashing around the chimney that lets water inside every time it rains? Unless you’re a professional contractor, chances are you need the help of a certified home inspector to spot the problems that you might not see.
Ramsey explains that the inspector’s work may also cover appliances. Check with the person you hire to be sure. As for termites, you’ll need a separate inspection in most states. However, your home inspector will report back on evidence of an infestation that they find while inspecting other parts of the home.
Spend a few minutes online and find a home inspector who has your back.
A Great Home Inspector Isn’t Hard to Find
Hiring a home inspector shouldn’t be stressful. You can find a reputable person through a referral from family members or friends, perhaps through your real estate agent or by using a service such as Hire an Inspector.
Referrals from family or friends are worth their weight in gold, but there’s a catch. The best recommendation that you get might be to avoid the inspector someone else used. And unless your friend has recently bought a home, they might not remember the name of their inspector at all. With real estate agent referrals, you never know if the inspector will have your best interest or that of the agent at heart.
Hire an Inspector offers an unbiased recommendation based on the qualifications of the home inspector and their proximity to the home you want to buy. If you’re in the market to buy the home of your dreams, don’t let it turn into a nightmare. Hire a certified home inspector and learn about the details that you can’t see on a walk-through. Dave Ramsey says, “It’s money well spent.”
Are you ready to find out how your new home stacks up? We’ll find a home inspector near you.