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Buying or Selling a Home/Do you think a homeowner can do his own inspection of home he is buying?

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Expert: - 11/15/2011


Question
Do you think a homeowner can do his own inspection of  home he is buying?  Is a home that I am buying worth getting inspected by a professional if it is being sold as is?   I mean I can see the flaws and know I will have to remodel some areas so is it worth actually hiring an inspector to inspect your home before I buy it if it is sold as is?   Also what is a home inspection estimated costs?

Answer
Hey, Cody.

No, I don't.

The reason is because a home inspector is combining many professions into one. He is acting as a plumber, electrician, structural engineer, concrete professional, roofing contractor, chimney sweep, drywaller, brickmason, window installer, door installer, heating and cooling professional, etc.

Most home inspectors charge by the square foot, so I can't tell you what the estimated costs are without knowing the square footing and where you are.

Get the best home inspector you can find. It will be the best money you spend on that home.

Good luck.

Russel

Buying or Selling a Home

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Russel Ray

Expertise

Through home inspections, I provide an education about real estate. I'm one of those rare home inspectors who has been involved in real estate in many different capacities: as a Realtor (in Texas), as a property investor/flipper, as a teacher, and as a marketing expert (for Realtors and home inspectors). I believe that my experience as a Realtor and property investor provides me with a different viewpoint about home inspections in that I work for my Clients, but when there are other people involved in helping my Clients, then I firmly believe in helping them, too. That includes Realtors (both the seller's and the buyer's), repair professionals (e.g., plumbers, electricians, etc.). If I can get all the players (seller, seller's Realtor, buyer, buyer's Realtor, and repair professionals) playing in the same sandbox together to accomplish goals as a TEAM (Together Everyone Accomplishes More), then I believe I have succeeded in my job as a home inspector. My profession is, in my opinion, much more than simply documenting the condition of a property and then take the money and run. I am also a rare breed in that I don't believe that one inspection fits the needs of all Clients, and I have led the industry in understanding that fact. For example, the goals of a property investor are far different than the goals of someone buying a property to live in. The goals of a seller (a pre-listing inspection) are far different than the goals of a buyer (a pre-purchase inspection). To that end, I offer 14 different types of inspections, e.g., STANDARD, LIST, RENTER, BASIC, MAINTENANCE, SPOT, and more. I believe in giving the benefit of the doubt to all professionals in whatever industry they represent until they prove me wrong.

Experience

Over 42 years in all aspects of real estate--building homes, renovating homes, inspecting homes, Realtor.

Organizations
National Association of Certified Home Inspector, Better Business Bureau of San Diego

Education/Credentials
Graduate of Texas A&M University; College Station, Texas

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