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For your own safety,
and to make sure you're getting your money's worth in the home you
choose, using a professional home inspector is highly recommended. A
home inspector will check a variety of things such as your home's
plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical systems, and look for
structural problems like a damp or leaky basement, etc.
Usually, you call an inspector
immediately after you've made an offer
on a home. However, before you sign any written offer, make sure (or
have your attorney make sure) that it includes an inspection clause,
which says that your purchase obligation is contingent on the findings
of a professional home inspector.
Your inspector will not tell you
whether he or she thinks the home is worth the money you are offering.
Rather, the inspector's job is to make you aware of repairs that are
recommended or necessary. A seller may be willing to renegotiate a price
to accommodate needed repairs, or you may decide that the home will take
too much work and money. A professional inspection
will help you make an informed decision.
In choosing a home
inspector, consider one who has been certified as a qualified and
experienced member by a trade association. Your real estate professional
can refer you to qualified inspectors in your area. | 
