Can you trust your home inspector?

Linda Lee, president of the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors, is the author of this guest post. The U-T San Diego will periodically feature real estate advice columns from the association in this blog.

You are ready to make one of the most important decisions of your life. You found your dream home, worked with a real estate agent to prepare an offer and hired an inspector to look at the property. But you might not know your inspector that well, or if that person plans to ask all the right questions. Not knowing those things could cost you.

The inspector plays a critical role in the home-buying process. To the extent you can, it is imperative that you verify that person’s credentials are up-to-date and that all of the important details are covered during the inspection.

The National Association of Realtors has compiled a 10-point checklist to verify your inspector meets industry standards. Among their recommendations, the association encourages you to ask direct questions about how they maintain their credentials.

Previous column: Want to sell your home fast? Paint it.

Most Realtors will provide their client with a list of at least three home inspectors to choose from, and most inspectors are willing to send you a sample report so you can see an example of their work. Some use specialized reporting software. Others use written checklists. We also recommend that buyers attend the inspection if possible as it is helpful to discuss an issue while looking at the area of concern together.

Ask if the inspector will look into a potential problem with the home you noticed during a recent visit, and be sure to inquire about their price structure and if there are any variables.

Verifying the condition of the home is imperative and helps determine whether the home is right for you. Do not assume all inspectors and inspections are equal. Find a qualified individual you trust and you will be able to buy with confidence.

This guest blog was posted by residential real estate reporter Lily Leung. Email her at lily.leung@utsandiego.com.