Make sure you are with the home inspector as they do the inspection so they can give you tips on preventive maintenance. They can also help you identify potential future problems with the home.

Home Inspections can also be very educational for the first time home buyer. As the inspector is going through the house and checking all the systems they can often provide you with information that is vital for the maintenance and safety of some of the systems. For example, the main shut off for the water supply, the main switch for the electric, where and how to replace heating filters, etc.

If you are a first time home buyer, and you don't know much about houses, ask your home inspector to explain the different systems as they go through the house.

A home inspection is highly recommended. I can not emphasize enough how important a QUALIFIED home inspector is. You want someone who is going to do a thorough job and not cut any corners. This obviously is going to help you by minimizing the unexpected costs of home repair. A qualified home inspector can be referred from your realtor and/or mortgage broker, or one can be located either online or in the phone book.

The Home Inspector may also suggest having further environmental testing, based on what they think may be a problem with the home or neighborhood. Some of these may include;

Lead testing
Asbestos testing
Water testing
Radon testing
Carbon monoxide testing
Septic inspection
Formaldehyde testing

How does one get peace of mind when buying a resale home? A home inspection by a qualified inspector plus a Home Warranty policy equals: Peace of Mind for the buyer.

If any defects or faults are found by the inspector the lender will most likely require them to be repaired before they will allow the loan to close on the property.

Having a home inspection completed can save you thousands of dollars in unexpected structural repair bills. With any new purchase, you should always hire an independant inspection to cover the structural integrity of the home you are buying.

Some common problems that are found are:

Foundation problems

Roof problems

Excess peeling paint

Faulty or out of code wiring

Excessive basement moisture

A home inspection is important to protect yourself from any mechanical or structural problems but finding an experienced, qualified, home inspector is equally important. Experienced, qualified inspectors know what to look for when inspecting a home. They can spot future problems as well as present problems with a home.
So, while getting a home inspection is a great idea using a qualified home inspector is just as important.

If you do not know of a qualified home inspector then I would ask you realtor for a couple of names are you can also ask your loan officer.