While it is the case that many home buyers are franticly trying to find an appropriate
home to buy and get a binding contract signed as quickly as possible, it is important to not skimp on any of the important steps that are imperative to ensuring that your home buying experience is not just a reaction to the tax credit running out at the end of the month. In particular, one very important step that no home buyer should overlook is having your potential home inspected.
A home inspection should always be a priority for home owners; even if you are well acquainted with the house that you are looking to buy, there can still be problems with it that you can't see. A good home inspector will be able to point out potential problems that might very well not be evident to you or the present home owners; while some of these may be deal breakers, other types of problems might just be serious enough to be a bargaining tool for you to get a price down a bit. If you have specific concerns, let your home inspector know so that they can take an extra deep look at any potential problems.
Pest inspections are also a very good investment before you sign any papers; even if the area that you live in isn't known for insect infestations, your new dream home could have rats or other vermin hiding away in it. This is usually a separate inspection from a regular home inspection, because it requires a different kind of expert; always hire the right kind of expert for the job.
No matter what kind of home inspection that you're looking for, it is a good idea to do some looking around before hiring anyone to do it for you. Don't just take your Realtor's recommendation on whom to hire to do a home inspection either; take the time to ask around and make a good choice.
All in all, no one likes to have a nasty surprise when the seasons change or there is a storm in your area and find that the roof that looked just fine when they purchased a home actually leaks in a heavy rain or that the basement has an insect problem. Skimping on the basic preventative steps before you sign a contract could cost you much more than you would save by signing a binding contract without a proper inspection!