| If you're in the process of house
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| | conditioning, etc.
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| hunting, here's a tip that you should pay
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| | Finally, get YOUR own inspector, not one
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| careful attention to:
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| | connected with the realtor.
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| Whether you are considering buying a
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| | And as with any major contract, ask the
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| brand new house, and older house in good
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| | inspector for references first, and
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| shape, or a handyman special, get the
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| | contact them. Also, make sure your
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| house inspected before closing the sale.
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| | inspector is licensed by the state in
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| An inspection will cost you a few hundred
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| | which you are buying the house (most
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| dollars, but the knowledge you will gain
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| | states require this licensing, but better
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| - and the money you can possibly save -
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| | to be safe). This may help you later on
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| are a wise investment!
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| | if there are any problems.
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| While a home inspection is recommended by
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| | It's YOUR money.
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| any good realtor, anyone who has been
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| | And YOUR house.
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| through the house buying process knows
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| | So do EVERYTHING you can to avoid paying
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| that a home inspection is very important.
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| | any more money than you have to!
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| In general (and it may be different in
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| | During the inspection, walk through the
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| your state) home inspectors are NOT
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| | house with the inspector. Watch
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| licensed contractors.
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| | everything that the inspector "inspects"
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| So, while they will look at the overall
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| | (and does not inspect) and ask as many
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| condition of your electrical, plumbing,
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| | questions as you want to learn as much as
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| and carpentry, you might want to consider
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| | you can about the house.
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| hiring a licensed contractor or engineer
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| | Look at everything - little and big -
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| to do your home inspection. It's more
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| | such as outlets, switches, faucets, small
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| expensive, but if major problems exist -
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| | areas, phone lines, etc. The inspector
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| ones that most people could not identify
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| | might take a quick look at these items,
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| - it will more than pay for itself.
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| | but make sure everything works - all
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| AT THE VERY LEAST, if you see potential
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| | light switches, outlets, etc. If not,
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| problems, hire a plumber, electrician,
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| | have the inspector put it on the report.
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| and carpenter to give you an estimate for
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| | After the inspection, you should receive
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| any possible repairs. Some will do this
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| | a written report. Make sure you read
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| for a small fee, some will do it free,
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| | between the lines of the inspection
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| but either way, it will be well worth the
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| | report - and take your time reading the
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| peace of mind!
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| | fine print. The sellers will want a
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| If there are any problems with the house,
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| | response within a few days, and you don't
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| ask the seller to fix them.
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| | want to miss the deadline.
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| The seller is NOT required to fix them,
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| | But at the same time, take your time
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| so if they say no, you need to decide
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| | reading through the report!
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| whether you want to fix them yourself
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| | You would think that items that should be
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| (and if you can even afford to fix them).
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| | addressed would be highlighted, but
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| Or if you want to call off the deal and
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| | that's not always the case.
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| look for a new house (but make sure to
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| | So take your time, and read the report
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| consult with your lawyer first!). These
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| | thoroughly!
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| inspections cost money, but major
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| | If ANYTHING is broken, or even
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| surprises can cost you much, much more!
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| | questionable, consider hiring a
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| Make sure you look OUTSIDE the house as
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| | specialist - for the chimney, pool,
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| well.
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| | central air, etc. - many professionals
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| Have the septic inspected, have the well
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| | will come out for free to take a look at
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| inspected, look around the yard and check
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| | the items, and give you a quote!
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| out the entire property. Don't overlook
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| | Even if the sellers don't agree to fix
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| anything that might cost you money later
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| | all the problems (which is likely, so
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| on.
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| | don't worry) it's better for you to know,
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| Ask the sellers for service records of
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| | and avoid costly surprises after you move
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| any appliances that will stay with you,
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| | in!
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| such as the furnace, central air
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