When you’re looking to buy a new home it can be a stressful time. There are many steps to take when looking to buy a home, especially one that you will love. Not only is it important to prepare financially to buy a new home, but also to make sure the home you are buying is in good condition. While any home inspector can do the job, it is important to make sure you work with a home inspector who is trustworthy, knowledgeable, and has a good reputation.

Here are some tips on what to look for when hiring a home inspector:

1. Read Online Reviews

One of the first things you should do when looking up home inspectors is to read the online reviews. You can find online reviews on Facebook, Google, or sometimes even on their website. Checking to see their rating and reading reviews will help you with a starting point to your search. Make sure to read a good number of reviews and see what people say at all different ratings. You may ask friends and family for referrals, but it is best to also do your own research.

2. Ask Questions

Asking questions about the home inspector can help you learn more about them and if they will work well with you. Here are some questions you can consider asking:

• Are you a certified and licensed inspector?
• How long will the inspection take?
• What does the inspection include?
• Will there be a full report of the inspection provided to me and what does it include?
• May I be there when you inspect the home?

Asking these questions and others can help you understand exactly what they will be doing and what you will be provided with at the end.

3. Look at Their Credentials and Experience

Understanding the credentials and experience of your potential home inspector can be a big factor in your decision. While certification and licensing is not required in every state to become a home inspector, if they are this tells you they are trained and have taken coursework. Also having several years of experience (or more) in the field is important. You can usually find out information like this on their website.

4. Ask for a Sample Report

Knowing what you will receive after the home inspection in a report is important, as these reports can provide a lot of useful information. Asking for a sample report from the home inspector will show you what your report will look like if you go with them. You can see how much detail they put into it, what information they will likely provide, and how well the report is made.

5. Understand the Limits of a Home Inspector

If your home inspector also repairs homes, this may be a red flag. Home inspectors are only supposed to inspect the home and check to see what is wrong with the home. If they also do repairs, this may be a conflict of interest as they may suggest repairs that are optional to buyers. Getting a home inspector to take a look first and give their unbiased opinion about repairs needed can help save you money on unnecessary repairs.

Since 2004, Wild Blue Home Inspections has been offering trustworthy home inspections to those in the Lehigh Valley, Poconos, and beyond. With over 500 homes inspected, you can be sure that our reports will show you the good, the bad, and the ugly. Contact us today to learn more about our home inspections and other services!