Buying or Selling a Home/new home construction

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Expert: John McKenna, CMI - 9/6/2007


Question
We are looking to purchase a home being built right now.  It is in College Station Texas.  The builder is Classic century homes.  How do we know if they are a reputable builder?  Do you have recommendations on who we should hire for our inspection?  What is a normal price for a thorough home inspection?  Can you pay an inspector to go during the building process, does this do any good?
Thank you

Answer
I would recommend that you check with a variety of sources to verify a builders reputation, including the BBB, past Clients, and municipal records of any actions that may be on file.  You may need Professional advise to do an exhaustive background check.  But the builder may be no more reliable than the sub contractors who work for him, and if he gets busy... sometimes the mice will play when the cats away.

I would recommend that you hire a Certified Master Inspector who has at least 25 years construction experience and includes thermal imaging technology with their inspections (like me... smile).  I service your area of Texas.

Please contact me if you think I can help you.  Price depends on the size of the home.  Phase inspections are a good thing, as well.  See our web site for more info at
http://texas-inspection.com

Good luck and I hope this helps.

John McKenna, CMI
Certified Master Inspector
American Home Inspection
& Thermal Imaging
888-818-4838
http://texas-inspection.com

Buying or Selling a Home

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John McKenna, CMI

Expertise

I can answer your question about home inspections and the hidden aspects of of the industry. I own American Home Inspection for east Texas and am a Certified Master Inspector. Sometimes there are questions about buying and selling a home that a qualified and honest home inspector can answer. Many people are led to believe incomplete information about repair items and make costly mistakes when they respond. If you do not know enough information or know what to ask, you can buy a nightmare instead of a home. Is your home inspector working for you or the Realtor? Is the owner of the home telling the truth? How do you make sure the contractor who makes repairs will do it right? Is the Realtor moving too fast and causing a person to make hasty choices? What are some of the things the Realtor does not want you to know? What you discover after you are the owner of the home and then decide to sell? What type of box can the home inspector put you in when the new buyer is now inspecting your home? What can you do if the home inspector was negligent? How do you prepare for a home inspection? What should you do with the home inspection report at the negotiating table? What are the signs of sheeple being led to the slaughter? Why do some realtors hate the "deal killer" home inspector? What type of action can you take now to protect yourself from law suite after someone buys your home? When is something a minor or major problem? What are the most common problems found in a home inspection? What can you do to prepare for a home inspection? What questions can you ask the home inspector so you choose the right one? The list goes on and on... "The truth will make you free"

Experience

Over 25 years experience in construction and board certified as a Certified Master Inspector. Licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission as a Professional Home Inspector (TREC #4565) and Certified by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI).

Education/Credentials
Certified Master Inspector (CMI) National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) Licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC #4565)
See more info: http://texas-inspection.com

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