A home inspection is an absolutely invaluable step in the home-buying process for any buyer, whether first-time or seasoned. No matter what you can see with the naked eye, there may be (a) systems and functions you just don’t have any knowledge of, and (b) defects that may not be apparent until a professional has a more in-depth look. It may be tempting to skip a home inspection, especially if you don’t have any reason to believe there is anything terribly ‘wrong’ with a... [read more]

In the seller's market of late, many buyers have resorted to submitting firm offers (those with no conditions) when competing on properties, so that they are more appealing to (and more likely chosen by) the seller. Unfortunately, one of the biggest risks of this is giving up the right to a formal home inspection before firming up the deal. For one thing, they don't truly know in great detail what they are buying, which may include hidden deficiencies. For another, they aren't able... [read more]