First-home buyers should invest in thorough property inspections

For first-home buyers excited at the prospect of making a property purchase, it can be tempting to speed things up. Unfortunately, this can lead to careless mistakes, such as not having a home inspected properly.

Most people wouldn't buy a car without giving it a test drive first, and while you can't take a home for a spin on the road, you can have professional home inspectors give you the information you need to make a smart decision.

Choosing a home inspector

When selecting your inspector, it's important to find someone qualified. Years of experience is typically a good sign, but the best way to find a good inspector is generally to get referrals.

Friends and relatives can likely point you in the direction of a trustworthy professional they've worked with in the past, as can home loan professionals and real estate agents.

Barring that, feel free to look up an inspector online and search for any positive or negative reviews. You want a licensed professional, and you owe it to yourself to find the person best suited to the job.

Know your limits – and theirs

When employing a home inspector, it's important to be upfront about certain problems a home might contain that would constitute a deal-breaker. This way the inspector can seek out specific issues that concern you.

However, it's just as important to understand exactly what what inspectors look for as well as what services they do not provide.

A home inspection takes many things into account, but there are some issues that may not be checked out depending on the type of inspection you pay for.

In the end, getting a home inspection is all about peace of mind. You should be able to move into your first home safe in the knowledge that you made the right choice.