After you find your dream home, you must decide how much you are willing to spend on the house and then make an offer. In order to do this accurately, you will want to have the home inspected by a professional. You may also want to find out how long the house has been on the market for because the long it has been for sale, the more likely the owner will be to accept a lower offer. Once you prepare an offer, the real estate broker will show this offer to the seller and the seller has the opportunity to either accept or reject it. The seller will then usually make a counteroffer, if your offer is not acceptable. This process usually continues until an offer that is agreeable to both parties is reached, or all talks breakdown because there is too much difference between the two parties.

WHAT DOES A HOME INSPECTOR DO, AND HOW DOES AN INSPECTION FIGURE IN THE PURCHASE OF A HOME?

The job of an inspector is to check the home for damage, much of which could be a safety concern. They will focus on the foundation, the frame, the electrical wires, the plumbing, and any other aspect of the home that is vital to its functionality. This inspector will not tell you about things that may need to be looked at, but only things that are in immediate need of repair. Each of these things will affect the value of the house, so pay careful attention to what the inspector says.

This inspector will not tell you in if he believes the house is worth what the seller is asking for it, but will rather simply take a look at everything and let you know how much any needed repairs will cost. Along with the pipes and wires, be sure to have the inspector take a look at the floors and ceilings for potential cracks and leaks. Any expenses that you will have to pay in home repair will make the house less valuable to you. Also, be sure to only hire an inspector with a wealth of experience because anything he or she misses will cost you in the future.

Be sure to have this inspection completed before you sign any offer sheets because once you agree to close the deal, the seller will not be responsible for any of these damages. You can also include a clause in your contract that says that the agreement is void if there are any problems found during the inspection. This can all be negotiated, so be sure to consider this option when buying a home. You can even insert a clause into the agreement that states the seller must pay for any major damage that is found to the house. This will be much more difficult to agree upon, so try a variety of different methods in order to protect yourself.

DO I NEED TO BE THERE FOR THE INSPECTION?

You do not have to be there, but it is recommended because once the inspection is over, you will be able to ask questions about the damage that has been done to the house. You can also get the inspector's opinion on the house as a whole, as well as get answers on any maintenance questions you may have about the home.

ARE OTHER TYPES OF INSPECTIONS REQUIRED?

If the original inspection turns up any significant problems, you may have to hire a specialized inspector to have a closer look at that area of the home. You may also want to have your home looked at for anything that could cause health problems for you and your family. This is includes things like asbestos, gas leaks, or potential problems with your water supply. None of this is mandatory, but it will help protect your family should there be something wrong.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MY FAMILY FROM LEAD IN THE HOME?

In many houses that were built before 1978, there is the potential that lead-based paint was used. This can pose a significant health risk for children, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems, so have this inspected as well before moving in. The flakes from this lead paint can also be in the soil and yard around the home, so this is another portion that will need to be looked at. You can temporarily fix this problem by painting over any areas that are shipping away, but if the problem is significant, you can hire a contractor to eliminate the problem entirely.

ARE POWER LINES A HEALTH HAZARD?

No research has been found to prove that there is any sort of hazard involved with power lines. If you still believe that they will cause a problem, simply do not buy a house near them. There is really nothing else you can do.

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