April is National Home Inspection Month

• April is National Home Inspection month.
  
  
• An inspection before you sell your house can add value to the home and help to speed up the process and likelihood of an offer.
  
  
• Homeowners should schedule a maintenance inspection every three to five years to identify problems before they become costly repairs.

• Was the home inspected when purchased? If not, an inspection is beneficial regardless of how long you've been in the home, even if it was new construction.
  
  
• Are you planning on doing major remodeling or renovation work? Whether it's a do-it-yourself project or a contractor is involved, now is a good time to determine whether there are any overlooked problem areas requiring attention.
  
  
• Have you recently undergone a major remodel or renovation? It never hurts to have an objective opinion about the work that has been done to ensure there are no remaining issues or needed repairs.
  
  
• Are you an older homeowner planning to remain in your home as you age? Elderly homeowners may have more difficulty addressing ongoing maintenance concerns or checking hard-to-reach areas. ASHI suggests hiring a professional home inspector to point out maintenance or safety issues and recommend when to hire outside help for specific problems.
  
  
• Are you a first-time homeowner that doesn't know the first thing about maintaining your home? Especially if a home inspection was not performed during the purchasing process, or if the buyer was not present, a professional home inspection can be a valuable educational experience for the new homeowner.
  
  
• Do you have small children or a baby on the way? New parents have special concerns about safety in the home and a home inspector can help point out problem areas that could cause harm to a growing family.
  
  
• Are you purchasing a home currently under construction? If so, you may want to consider scheduling a phased inspection to protect your interests. By engaging a home inspector early on, even in the site selection, homeowners can benefit from having an inspector assess the quality of construction as the building progresses.