In New York State, a home inspector must be licensed. The buyer usually incurs the cost for the home inspection. Before you hire a home inspection service, interview them. LINKS has a list of licensed home inspectors that many of our buyers have worked quite successfully with and may be of interest to you. Access our list of Preferred Professionals here. When interviewing a home inspector, ask them if you will be permitted to inspect the property with them and if they will explain any defects as they find them. The inspector will be looking for visual mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural defects. If any are found then you, as the buyer, can ask the seller to rectify the defects or try to renegotiate the price. Keep in mind that a home inspector's job is to notify you of any and all defects in the house, no matter how large or small. If it is a resale, remember, there will be normal wear and tear. Let's hope your dream home passes the inspection with only minor flaws if any.

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