Q:Do I need an inspection for a new home?
A: It is good insurance to hire a professional to inspect a new home. Just because a house is new doesn't mean that it was built correctly. City inspectors sometimes overlook code violations. Ask the builder for copies of any reports on the property, including the soil report. Have your inspector review the reports as well as the architectural plans, surveys, engineering calculations, city building inspections and any other construction documents. Your inspector should help you prepare a punch list of items the builder needs to complete by closing.

Q:Do I need to inspect my home every year?
A: You should make a thorough examination of your home each year before the rainy or snowy seasons begin. Patch and seal holes and cracks in the exterior. Make sure doors and windows are watertight. Have the roof checked. Clean gutters and downspouts. Make sure that water (roof and ground runoff) is directed away from the foundation. Check beneath the house during the rainy season to see if water accumulates and look for standing water around the exterior of the foundation. If necessary, hire a drainage expert to make recommendations about how you can improve your drainage. Make sure your furnace and fireplace are in good condition. Replace batteries in smoke detectors and recharge fire extinguishers on a regular basis.

Q:How much does a home inspection cost?
A: A home inspection costs between $200 to $500, depending on the property's location, the inspector, the size of the home, the scope of the inspection and whether the report is written or verbal. Always ask any inspector you're considering for an estimate before you choose one.

Q:What does a good home inspection include?
A: A home inspector should complete a thorough examination of all the major home components and mechanical systems: roof, attic, foundation, basement, garage, drainage, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, walls, floors, fireplaces and chimneys, windows and doors. Some inspectors do not check roofs; others won't check out the drainage system. Make sure that you'll get the kind of inspection you want and need.

Q:What does a termite inspection cover?
A: A termite inspection covers damage and infestation from termites as well as from other wood-destroying pests and organisms. Most wood-pest problems are correctable. When corrected, future problems can often be avoided by following a good regimen of home maintenance.

Q:What is the best strategy for home maintenance?
A: The best method is to establish an annual maintenance budget (the rule of thumb is 1 percent of your purchase price) and set up a regular maintenance routine. Study the inspection report you got when you bought the home. Make a list of all the repairs that the sellers did not perform before closing. Avoid making the mistake of indefinitely postponing needed repairs until small problems develop into major projects. If you received a credit from the sellers at closing in lieu of having a defect repaired, schedule this work as soon as possible. Often, buyers use such a credit to pay for some of their closing costs, then neglect to have the repair work completed.

Q:What is the first thing I should do if I find a defect after I buy a home?
A: Document the problem and move on the issue quickly. Finding a serious defect in the house you have just bought can be nightmarish. In most cases, you will want to try to get the defect fixed without going to court, which can be expensive and time-consuming. After you document the problem, call an inspector or licensed contractor to diagnose the problem and to give a bid for repair or replacement. Send copies to the seller and the real estate broker involved, along with a letter explaining the problem. Offer to resolve the issue amicably. If this does not work, call an attorney for advice. Whatever you do, it is important to deal with the problem promptly.

Q:What should I do if a building code violation is uncovered during an inspection?
A: Sellers should not be expected to bring an older home up to current code, unless they are required by law to do so. If you are a seller or a buyer who plans to sell, you will have to disclose the situation once you know about it. As a buyer, you may want to walk away from the property. If you are planning further renovations, the building inspector checking out your work will most likely require you to make these other fixes, too. It can be a messy proposition, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Q:When should the final walk-through be made?
A: The walk-through should be completed far enough in advance so that the sellers have time to remedy any problems but close enough to closing that the pressure is on the sellers to deal with any outstanding issues. Ideally, the final inspection should be done within seven days of closing.

Q:DO I NEED TO BE THERE FOR THE INSPECTION?
A: It's not required, but it's a good idea. Following the inspection, the home inspector will be able to answer questions about the report and any problem areas. This is also an opportunity to hear an objective opinion on the home you'd like to purchase and it is a good time to ask general maintenance questions.