The purchase of a home is one of the biggest investments people will make in their lifetimes. But it is also among the greatest sources of anxiety. A home inspection helps ensure homebuyers of the quality of their investment by making them aware of its condition and alerting them to any concerns. This can serve to relieve stress, increase confidence and provide knowledge in regards to your new home.

Some of the benefits of a home inspection are:

• Knowledge: Understanding exactly what you're buying - old or new and the condition of the house.
• Peace of mind: Helps in making a sound buying decision.
• Savings: The home inspection reveals the need for repairs or replacements before you buy.
• Fewer surprises: The home inspection limits the number of problems you may discover after you move in.
• Education: A good home inspection also gives you invaluable details about your new home in addition to information about the condition of the property. You'll learn where the main shutoff valves to the utilities are located, how the house operates and more!

How do I find a good home inspector?

Most people think all inspection companies and inspectors are the same and the homebuyer will shop by the lowest price. By selecting the wrong company and saving a few dollars could cost you thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs.  A novice inspector could miss more items than an experienced one and that is why you get an experienced inspector. Consider the following when shopping for home inspection companies.

• Experience: How much experience do the inspectors have and how long have they have been in the business? The best home inspectors have been in business for years and have seen thousands of homes.
• Home Inspection Training: Texas Real Estate Inspectors are required to go through extensive training and pass a test in order to receive a license.  Once the new inspector receives his license he can inspect houses. If the inspector does not take if upon himself to follow an experienced inspector for a period of time in order to get familiar with inspections, this could be disastrous. 
• Association Membership: Is the inspector a member of a professional home inspection organization? Companies that are affiliated with professional organizations are serious about what they do, and know about all the new developments in their fields. Some well-known trade associations are: Texas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (TAREI) American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI). Inspectors in your area can be located through these associations.
• Inspectors are Generalist not Experts: There are many inspectors with backgrounds in certain service fields and are quite knowledgeable in those fields, but the majority of  the inspectors have been trained in all the fields for a well rounded education. The inspector should be able to answer your questions in regards to your house. 

What if I'm buying a newly constructed home?

An inspection on a new home is important for the buyer to level the playing field. As in any industry there are shortcuts and tricks of the trade in the construction business, and someone who is unfamiliar with them can easily miss them. A home inspector is better able to see nuances that may not be readily visible to an untrained eye. You also need an inspector to offset the builder's or contractor's interest. Much of the information about homes is either taken for granted by people, or remains unfound.

For newly constructed homes, a "phase" inspection is an inspection of the house before the foundation is even poured. This type of inspection will cover the construction in phases. The first phase is when the foundation is about to be poured (this is for slab foundations). Then the inspector will come out after the foundation is poured and when the framework is completed. Once the construction is completed the inspector will come out prior to closing. By doing this type of inspection,  any corrections needed are done prior to the next phase. 

Is a home inspection a warranty or a guarantee there is nothing wrong with the house?

No. A home inspection is condition of the house at the time of inspection. The inspector cannot predict the future and cannot see through walls. Inspectors are limited to the inspection merely to the fact they are human. Inspectors are constantly increasing their skills by attending continuing education to provide professional service to their clients.