Paying for a Home Inspection Now Could Avoid Headaches Later

Thursday, August 30, 2007

BOUND BROOK, NJ - Despite the downturn in the housing market, millions of homes will still be bought and sold. At a time when price negotiations have become more vigorous, many buyers and sellers neglect one important element that could cost them thousands of dollars: the home inspection.

Mike Kuhn, co-author of The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Home Inspections has spent nearly two decades trying to change a mindset.

“Approximately one quarter of homebuyers do not get a professional home inspection for their prospective home,” says Kuhn. “An even smaller percentage of home sellers acquire a pre-listing inspection to help them better present their home in a competitive way.”

Years of witnessing costly and avoidable errors prompted Kuhn to help develop a guide to home inspections. He believed that if people knew more about the home inspection process, they'd understand what it includes, why it is necessary, and how to make the most of it.

A professional home inspection can help buyers avoid buying someone else's problems, and for sellers the home inspection can help them eliminate potential defects that could turn off a prospective buyer.

A professional home inspector will review the major, visible and accessible components of the home and provide a detailed written report rating each element. The report should objectively include information in a detailed manner that allows the client to make informed decisions.

A professional home inspector also educates and provides tips on proper home maintenance. Buyers or sellers are encouraged to attend the inspection. Kuhn adds, “HouseMaster inspectors are specifically trained to communicate throughout the inspection, demonstrating how to operate many of the home's systems and discussing maintenance needs.”

More than ever, buyers need to know what they are buying to reduce the possibility of making a very costly mistake. Sellers need to do what they can to make their home standout from the others on the market. The average home inspection costs between $350-$550, but in almost any kind of real estate market, a home inspection is a wise investment. For more information about The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Home Inspections and other home inspection resources, visit www.housemaster.com.

About HouseMaster: Headquartered in Bound Brook, N.J., HouseMaster is the oldest and one of the largest home inspection franchisors in North America. With more than 370 franchised areas throughout the U.S. and Canada, HouseMaster is the most respected name in home inspections. For over 30 years, HouseMaster has built upon a foundation of solid leadership and innovation with a continued focus on delivering the highest quality service experience to their customers and providing HouseMaster franchisees the tools and support necessary to do so. Each HouseMaster franchise is an independently owned and operated business. HouseMaster is a registered trademark of DBR Franchising, LLC.

For more information please visit www.housemaster.com or call 800-526-3939.

Back to News