Frequently
Asked Questions
- Why
do I need a home inspection?
- When
do I schedule a home inspection?
- My real estate agent wants to set up the
home inspection. Should I let them?
- My agent suggested 3 home inspectors. What
do I do?
- My
agent gave me a paper to sign suggesting what home inspection companies to
call. Should I sign that paper?
- How do I find a qualified home inspector?
- I called a home inspection company and got
an answering machine. Should I leave a message?
- The XYZ Inspection Company is giving free
home repair guides, coupons or fancy binders for the report. Is this a
good deal?
- Do I contract a large company or a small
owner operated company?
- How much should a home inspection cost?
- How long should the inspection take?
- Should I attend the inspection?
- Who
should I bring to the inspection?
- When should I get the report?
- How many pages should the report be?
- My real estate agent said the inspection
time is not a good time for them. What do I do?
- I
got a quote of $199.00 for a home inspection. Should I use that company?
- Does A New Home Need To Be Inspected
Why
do I need a home inspection?
Answer. Would
you buy a car without a test drive? The home you have an interest in costs a lot
more than a car. The average price of a home in the State of New Jersey is
$350,000. With interest rates on the rise now is not the time to "be penny wise and dollar foolish". You need to
know what you are paying for and its condition. Have that home inspected by a
licensed
N.J.
independent professional home inspector.
When
do I schedule a home inspection?
Answer. It used
to be as soon
as your Attorney tells you
that its time. But things are changing. Some buyers are now having the home
inspection performed before they put in an offer on the house. This way they are
aware of the condition of the home and now can make the offer based on that
condition. You also save on attorney fee's by doing this.
My
real estate agent wants to set up the home inspection. Should I let them?
Answer. NO!
Some real estate agents use or are required to use a favorite or "preferred" home inspector!
Most likely you were given a list with three (3) maybe five(5) inspection companies on it.
Some of these "preferred" inspectors or companies may hold back information
about the property or minimize the importance of a defect in order to get more
work from the agent or the agents office. In some cases, inspection firms pay a commission to, or in some
other way compensate the real
estate office or even the agent for the referral. Remember, real estate agents
have a vested interest in the property. If it doesn't sell they don't get paid!
This is not in your best interest.
What every home buyer must know
Now
is when you need an Independent
Home Inspector.
Absolute
Home Inspections of New Jersey will be there to protect you and your
investment. I work for my client only and no one else. I do not solicit real
estate offices or agents for referrals. Absolute
Home Inspections of New Jersey is the only licensed independent home inspector
in Burlington,
Camden,
Gloucester and
Mercer County.
My
agent suggested 3 home inspectors. What should I do?
Answer. These are
called "PREFERRED" home inspectors. You have to wonder how they became
"preferred". Click
here! Call
Absolute Home Inspections and talk to the
inspection firm that will work for only you!
My
agent gave me a paper to sign suggesting what home inspection companies to call.
Should I sign that paper?
Answer. NO! You have
the right to call any Inspection Company you want. Don't be sweet talked into using a
home inspector of there choosing! Don't sign anything unless it is approved by your
attorney (you do have an attorney? if you don't get one now). The agent may make comments like " this one is inexpensive",
"he's fast", "he's not a deal killer", "he's a nice guy".
They may even offer you a coupon for a discounted inspection. These are the
inspectors you want to
stay away from. That's why they are on the "preferred" list. Now is
when you need a licensed New Jersey independent home
inspector. Someone who will look out for your
interests and not anyone else. That's why more and more home buyers are calling
Absolute
Home Inspections of New Jersey for there pre-purchase home inspection.
How
do I find a qualified home inspector?
Answer. Friends,
neighbors, family and attorney are the best places. Don't ask someone who has
a vested interest in the property. The Independent Home
Inspectors of North America site is a good place to find a qualified inspector.
One who is not controlled by the real estate industry. Be
sure to ask if they are licensed! Ask to see it! It's the law in the State of New Jersey!
Don't settle for a trainee or a part time inspector. Let them learn on
someone else's house!
I
called a home inspection company and got an answering machine. Should I leave a
message?
Answer. Yes! Most
inspection companies are owner operated. Some inspection companies advertise
that you will talk to a real person. That real person is there to take messages.
Most cannot answer your questions regarding the inspection. When you call
Absolute you may get an answering machine unless
I'm there doing a report. Leave a message, I return all calls
by mid to late afternoon.
When you leave a message please speak clearly and slowly. It's
important that I understand your name and phone number. Please repeat your phone
number.
The
XYZ Inspection Company is giving free home repair guides, coupons or fancy
binders for the report. Is this a good deal?
Answer. Do you really
think the book is free or the coupon is a discount?
Nothing is free! One way or another you are paying for it. If you
need a home repair guide buy one! It'll be a lot better then the one you get FREE. What you need
now is an in-depth visual evaluation of the home that details all defects. Don't
pay for something you don't need or will ever look at again.
Do
I contract a large company or a small owner operated company?
Answer. When you
contract a large multi inspector home inspection company your inspector will be an employee who is doing three,
even four inspections per day. If the average home inspection takes 3 hours to
complete and the report takes another 2 or more hours, how thorough can your
home inspection be when the inspector is doing 3 or 4 per day? Absolute Home
Inspections of New Jersey does not do more than one inspection per day.
I will spend as much time at the house as necessary to conduct a thorough and
complete home inspection. I will not permit the real estate agent or anyone else
to rush me through this process.
How
much should a home inspection cost?
Answer. Compared
to the cost of the home, the inspection fee
is a very small percentage of the total cost. You should expect to pay between
$400 and $600 for the average size home, that's less than .002% of the cost of a
$350,000 house. Real estate agencies charge 5% to 6% to sell a house. On a sale
of $350,000 that comes to $17,000 to $21,000.
If the inspection turns up little
wrong with the house, you bought some inexpensive peace of mind. If the
inspection finds serious problems, and many times it does, the inspection fee could end up saving you
many thousands of dollars.
Don't be fooled by low cost inspections
or other come-on's like fancy binders for the report, coupons or
home repair guides. What ever you do, this is not the
time to shop price. Remember, you get what you pay
for! It's time to hire an independent licensed professional! Let
Absolute Home Inspections of New Jersey protect you
and your investment!
How long should the inspection take?
Answer. The average home being around
2500sf should take about 3 hours sometimes more, depending on the findings.
Should I attend the inspection?
Answer. Yes, if you can. You can learn a lot about the
home. I encourage my clients to attend. Follow me around, see how the inspection is performed. Ask
questions. It's expected!
Who should I bring to the inspection?
Answer. You the purchaser should be the only one
there! I know you are excited, but the more people at the inspection, the more distractions the inspector and you will have.
Don't forget this is not your home yet! There is a chance someone may damage
something. You can always schedule another appointment to show the house to family
or friends.
When should I get the report?
Answer. This depends on the type of report the inspection
company is using. Absolute Home Inspections of New
Jersey provides a type written report complete with pictures of defects and/or
concerns. This report will be e-mailed to you within 24 hours. Adobe
reader will be necessary to view the report. You can get Adobe reader free. Just click
the underlined link and down load the program.
How many pages should the report be?
Answer. Again, it depends on the type of reporting system
the company is using. Could be as little
as 10, (although I don't know how) or as many as 40 or more. It could be a checklist type report or a written
report. Stay away from any inspector that provides a hand written report. Absolute
Home Inspections of New Jersey provides a type written report complete with pictures and is
usually around 50 pages.
My real estate agent said the inspection time is not a good
time for them. What do I do?
Answer. When I'm the
one with the money I'll decide what's good for me! You're paying for
professional real estate representation. Don't forget, their commission is coming out of the price you pay for the home. Their schedule should work around you!
I
got a quote of $199.00 for a home inspection. Should I use that company?
Answer.
Remember, you get what you pay for! Read
the small print. Many things you need inspected will cost extra. That $199.00 is
based on an inspector doing 3 or 4 inspections per day. How good will the
inspection be if your number 3 or 4? Even if your number one, he'll be in
a hurry to get to number two. Again, this is not the time
to shop price. You invested a lot of time shopping for the home of your dreams.
Now its time to bring in an independent licensed professional, so you can be Absolute'ly
sure about the home you are buying.
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