What is a home inspection and why is it necessary?

A home inspection is performed by a licensed professional who visually examines a home and provides a written report on his or her findings. Your home inspection will help you make sure you are not caught off-guard with things you might not have noticed walking through the home...cracks in the foundation, broken windows, bad electrical wiring, poor heating/cooling systems, and other sometimes costly surprises. If the home inspector does find problems with the house, he or she can often offer suggestions as to repairs and potentially even cost for the repairs. It is recommended to accompany the inspector at the time of inspection so that he or she can clearly outline their findings. It is definitely a good idea to have someone inspect the home right after you sign the contract on your home.