1. Is it wise to waive a home inspection?

    Dear Monty: Is it wise to waive a home inspection? We recently bought a home, and we agreed to waive a home inspection. There were multiple offers on the house. Our agent suggested a competitive advantage by waiving the home inspection. Yesterday, a heating contractor told us we should replace the twenty-year-old furnace. Since moving […]

  2. You have written numerous articles over time about different problems with home inspections. What is your current opinion of home inspections? 

      Reader Question: You have written numerous articles over time about the problems with home inspections. We are near our savings goal and preparing to buy a home. What is your current opinion of home inspections?  Monty’s Answer: Home inspection laws came into existence because home sellers were unaware of the defects, hid, or made […]

  3. Who should have caught this condition problem?

      Reader Question: I bought a house a year ago with some permitted room additions. However, the flipper replaced the electrical box from 100 amp to 200 amp non-permitted. This work was not disclosed to me or caught in the homeowner’s inspection. So now, I have been experiencing electrical issues at my house. The utility […]

  4. What are the main questions you get about home inspectors?

    Reader Question: Here is a home inspector’s question. Customers tell me I am a good inspector. I always want to improve my methods when I can. Your answer to this question may help focus my efforts. What are the main questions you get from consumers about home inspectors? Monty’s Answer: Incorporating the continuous improvement philosophy into […]

  5. I am a home inspector. An agent I work with is always giving me a hassle to "ease up." I don't want to lose him. How do I handle him?

    Reader Question: I am a home inspector. ​I work with an agent from whom I always get agent pressure to “take it easy.” I refuse to lower my standards, but I’m concerned about him finding a replacement. How would you suggest I approach ​t​his? ​Monty’s Answer: The situation you describe may be a very delicate […]

  6. How do we go about hiring a home inspector?

      Reader Question: We will looking to buy a home in the near future. When thinking about hiring a home inspector, how do we pick a quality one? Randy and Mary Ann G. Monty’s Answer: Now is a good time to be thinking about hiring a home inspector. Because a home purchase or sale is likely your […]