Home inspections are paid for by the buyer and should be performed by a qualified home inspector. It is fiscally prudent of the buyer to have the home inspected before presenting an offer to the seller. This is true whether the home is newly built or one that is several years old.

When the home is inspected before an offer is made, the buyer has no legal obligations to the seller if the inspector finds serious problems with the construction. Making an offer to a seller after the home is inspected is the optimum scenario for a buyer. In a fast moving housing market, however, the buyer may not have the luxury of waiting until a home inspection is performed. If that is the case, the buyer will have to make an offer in conjunction with an inspection contingency. An inspection contingency typically states that the offer will be withdrawn if the home inspector finds major structural flaws with the property.

To get your new home inspected, you will need to hire a qualified home inspector. There are many sources for finding home inspectors such as national associations, yellow pages, referrals, or your real estate agent. While most real estate agents will not specifically recommend a home inspector, they can often provide you with a list of inspectors they have used in the past.

Once you have the list from your agent, you can begin the selection process. Before you speak to an inspector, have your interview questions prepared ahead of time to make yourself feel more confident and save time.