How to measure your house’s blood pressure
Your goal as a home buyer: To find the best home possible to suit your needs, at the best price possible. 
Like a good house hunter would, you search, research and question, repeating this process until you find your new digs. After all your pre-purchase care, you ink the last signature on your offer to purchase. Then a curious thing happens … you discard your house buying regimen and waive the contingency for a home inspection.
Usually, home buyers choose not to have a home inspection because they want to “save money.” Pardon me? Yes, you heard right - usually home buyers choose not to have a home inspection because they want to save money.
This is misconception numero uno. A home inspection is essential to the well-being of your offer to purchase.
I’ll give you three reasons why a home inspection is the best way to measure your house’s blood pressure in three minutes flat. On your market, get set, go.
1. A home inspection gives you early warning signs.
A home inspection lists defects in your house from the inside out. Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems are all noted in this report. Do you want to know about the structural integrity of your house? It’s in the report.
If the roof leaks, if the electrical box is improperly wired or if the basement floor has a crack due to structural deficiencies, you can request that the homeowner repair these deficiencies.
If the seller does not repair these items, you can potentially walk away from the contract.
2. A home inspection gives you peace of mind.
A home inspection lets you know what’s working and what’s not. When you have a home inspection, you won’t have to wait until you move into your home to see if your dishwasher leaks or your outlets work.
Quick tip: If you live in a part of the country that experiences bearish winters and you close escrow in the winter, you will not be able to test the air conditioning. You may want to reserve the right to have the air conditioner inspected by a licensed heating and cooling (HVAC) professional to confirm it is in
working order.
3. A home inspection gives you a health regimen for the future.
When you purchase a house that is not newly built, you should expect normal wear and tear. A home inspector will let you know what items will need to be on your budget sheet in the future, like re-shingling the roof in a few years, upgrading your furnace to an energy-efficient model or updating your wiring.
I’m close to the finish line …
I’m in the home stretch and the others haven’t even caught up to me yet, so while they are trying to think of reasons why having a home inspection is a bad idea, I’ll trot over to the finish line and throw a bonus fourth reason in the mix.
4. A home inspection is worth the money.
The protection a home inspection delivers is worth the money you shell out. On average, a home inspection will run approximately $500.
I understand home buyers might have an Uncle Bob who is a licensed plumber, or might know Mike the mechanic who is generally good at fixing things.
Resist the temptation to have these folks determine the condition of your property.
I’m sure they are gifted and well-intentioned, but you need a licensed professional in the field who is trained to analyze the condition of your property.
If you need a source, ask your agent for a few recommendations. Consult the American Society of Home Inspectors for a list of licensed home inspectors, checklists and more.
Posted by Rebecca D. Levinson
