It should be common sense to arrange a home inspection before you buy a home, but many people forgo doing so for any number of reasons. Simply put, you should never buy a home before having it inspected. If there appears to be a high demand for the home and you're concerned that you won't have time for an inspection before submitting your offer, you can solve this dilemma by submitting an offer that is dependent on the home successfully passing the inspection. Here are some important reasons to make sure that you hire a home inspector.

You're Not An Expert

As much as you might be able to look around the home and see if there are any potential problems, you're likely not going to roll up your sleeves and really get hunting for issues in the same manner as a home inspector. This professional will climb on your roof, walk through your attic, and use advanced tools that allow him or her to detect the presence of issues such as moisture. You don't have these tools at your disposal, nor are you likely adept at noticing what the inspector is trained to notice. This can leave you at risk of buying a home with unnoticed problems.

It Makes Financial Sense

You might not be eager to pay for the home inspection, but it's important to realize that the nominal fee you pay for this job can potentially save you thousands of dollars in the long run. For example, a home inspection can reveal damage to a home's foundation that you wouldn't have noticed. This damage may cost several thousand dollars to fix, which is proof that the fee you paid your home inspector was well worth it. Even if the inspection doesn't reveal major issues, paying for a home inspector will provide you with peace of mind about your purchase.

You Might Get The Home For Less Money

If the home inspector turns up some issues with the home but you're still interested in moving forward with your purchase, you can often negotiate the purchase price for significantly less than the current homeowner is asking. For example, your inspector can provide you with a list of the things that will need to be addressed, such as a roof that needs to be replaced or windows that are worn out, as well as an estimate of how much these repairs will cost. You can factor this information into your price negotiation and, ideally, get the home for a deal.

For more information, talk to a professional like Re/Max Alliance - The Diane Stow Team.