After searching for several months, you have finally found your dream home. It's located just in the right place, right on the edge of town, close to work, the schools near it are good, and the price is good. The house itself looks good. It has a spiffy modern kitchen, newly remodeled bathrooms, and a fresh coat of paint. It's just perfect.

Most houses sell on looks alone. All those things mentioned above do wonders for sales appeal. However, this doesn't mean that you should base your decision on pure looks alone when you could be making the biggest investment in your life. So hiring a Massachusetts home inspector might just be what you need to make certain that you are making the right decision.

Searching for Mr. Right

Because of high demand, there is huge number of Massachusetts home inspectors offering their services in the market. But finding the right one might be a little hard to do. You can try talking with your friends who also just recently purchased a new home and ask them who they hired as their Massachusetts home inspector. You can also try searching the web for any professional home inspector servicing your area. Another option you have is to ask your real estate agent for anyone they can recommend, but be careful when you choose this method because it may not always be for your benefit.

Trimming Down Your Choices

Once you've found a list of candidates to hire as a Massachusetts home inspector, your next step should be to peruse their qualifications. A Massachusetts home inspector should have an occupational license to do the job you require him to do. If he comes from an accredited home inspection school, then that is good. If he is a member of a trade association, that is even better as these associations have strict rules of professional conduct among their members. Other factors you should also consider as you break down through your long list of Massachusetts home inspectors are affiliations, testimonials, and fees.

The Big Day

So you have finally made your final choice on who to hire as a Massachusetts home inspector and he shows up on the day of the inspection. The usual protocol is followed - introductions, signing of the contract, and perhaps an overall explanation of what he will do.

Usually, the first thing that the Massachusetts home inspector checks is the external structure of the house. That includes the roof, windows, doors, walls, foundations, porch, stairs, garage, etc. He will check all these and make a visual assessment on how good a condition they're in and whether or not you need to replace any part of the new house anytime soon.

Next, your Massachusetts home inspector will start poking around the window trim or the cill. This is to find if there is any moisture damage to the wood which could have been painted over. He will also check the foundations for any cracks and determine which cracks are normal and which are in need of critical repair.

There are many more places that the Massachusetts home inspector will check. His function is never limited to the exterior, but to the interior as well, including air conditioning and heating systems, plumbing, electrical system, etc.