IF YOU ARE THE BUYER

For buyers, an inspection is vital to uncovering issues a home may have but are invisible to the untrained eye.

Even if the inspection finds more problems than you’re comfortable with and you move on to a different home to start the process all over again, it’s money well spent.

An inspection will give you the opportunity to ask the seller to make the repairs before you buy, or to back out of the contract. 

Remember that an experienced Realtor® can help you to protect yourself from ending up with a home that requires repairs that you are unable or unwilling to pay for.

Before the inspector arrives, there are a few things you should know. There are no federal regulations governing inspectors and none in Colorado. Therefore it’s important to interview your inspector prior to hiring him. Credibility is a big issue in choosing the right inspector. Ask what certifications your inspector holds and what associations he or she belongs to. The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) has membership requirements that include minimum levels of experience and training as well as codes of ethics. Ask your inspector for his member number and then visit the association’s website for verification.

Once your inspector has arrived, it is recommended that you accompany him or her on the inspection of the property. This is so you can become familiar with the home and its systems as well as exactly what repairs the inspector recommends and why. You might also want to prepare a list of items that you’ve seen in the home that you feel are cause for concern as well as any questions you may have. The inspection is a great time to find out where the home’s water and gas shutoffs are and where the circuit breaker or fuse box is.