Freddie
Mac
has
put
together
a
3
step
program
for
a
consumer
inspection
which
is
different
from
hiring
a
professional
home
inspector.
For
a
list
of
our
member
home
inspectors
Contact
Us.
This
information
is
provided
as
a
guide
only
and
does
not
necessarily
reflect
the
views
and
advice
of
The
Concord
Board
of
Realtors
or
its
members.
Courtesy
of
Freddie
Mac
The
purpose
of
this
is
to
give
you
the
tools
you
need
to
select
and
maintain
the
right
home
for
you.
We
think
you'll
agree
that
the
right
home
for
you
is
affordable,
comfortable
and
within
your
means
to
maintain
for
as
long
as
you
choose
to
live
in
it.
This
article
offers
insights
that
will
help
you
make
an
informed
decision
in
your
choice
of
a
home.
Affording
a
home
involves
more
than
having
enough
money
to
cover
the
down
payment,
closing
costs
and
monthly
mortgage
obligations.
Maintaining
the
overall
condition
of
the
home
while
you
live
in
it
and
the
repairs
or
preventive
measures
needed
to
do
so
can
be
just
as
costly.
This
kit
will
explain
how
to
conduct
your
own
consumer
home
inspection
with
an
easytouse,
stepbystep
approach.
Once
you've
evaluated
your
results,
you'll
be
better
equipped
to
make
a
wise
decision,
whether
it's
"Yes,
I
like
this
home;
it
suits
the
needs
of
my
family,
and
I
can
afford
to
buy
and
maintain
it."
or
"No,
I
cannot
realistically
afford
to
buy
and
maintain
this
home."
Either
way,
it
pays
to
know
what
you're
up
against
before
you
make
an
offer
to
purchase.
The
consumer
home
inspection
does
not
replace
the
professional
home
inspection.
You
do
the
consumer
home
inspection
before
making
an
offer
to
purchase
a
home.
Once
you
conduct
your
own
consumer
home
inspection
and
make
a
decision
to
buy
a
particular
home,
you
will
sign
a
contract
and
have
the
home
you've
selected
professionally
inspected.
The
professional
home
inspector
gives
you
an
objective
and
comprehensive
report
before
closing.
In
addition,
you
may
want
to
have
the
home
tested
for
possible
environmental
hazards
which
are
not
usually
visible,
including,
lead
in
the
water,
lead
in
paint,
asbestos,
radon
or
other
toxic
materials.
Make
sure
you
can
afford
to
buy
your
home
and
maintain
it
Equip
yourself
with
the
tools
you
need
to
make
an
educated
decision
in
your
own
best
interest
Learn
what's
ahead
of
you
now,
rather
than
down
the
road
An
informed
homebuyer
is
a
successful
homeowner.
Before
You
Conduct
a
Consumer
Home
Inspection
Schedule
your
home
inspection
during
day-light
hours.
You
may
want
to
bring
along
the
following
tools
The
Consumer
Home
Inspection
Form
A
powerful
flashlight
to
use
in
basements
and
crawl
spaces
A
stepladder
to
look
in
the
attic
to
check
insulation,
the
underside
of
the
roof
and
indirect
lighting
fixtures
A
tape
recorder
to
record
any
information
too
lengthy
to
note
on
the
inspection
form
A
circuit
tester
to
check
the
circuits
Helpful
Hints
Plan
to
go
through
the
home
completely
two
times
so
you
can
do
an
overall
analysis.
Remember
to
consider
the
following
when
you
conduct
your
home
inspection
so
you
can
effectively
evaluate
the
home:
The
existing
condition
of
all
systems
and
equipment
Any
unusual
features
that
may
increase
or
decrease
the
appeal
of
the
home
Any
problems
or
features
you
want
your
professional
home
inspector
to
check
out
The
quality
and
condition
of
the
structure
Routine
house
cleaning
and
maintenance
items:
paint,
furnace
filters,
gutters,
caulking
in
bathrooms,
landscaping,
floors,
appliances,
walls,
etc.
What
to
Expect
A
Consumer
Home
Inspection
Kit
will
give
you
the
information
you
need
to
Identify
a
home's
distinguishing
features
that
make
it
attractive
for
purchase
Estimate
the
costs
and
identify
solutions
for
any
problems
uncovered
during
the
consumer
home
inspection
Provide
a
basis
for
comparing
homes
you
are
considering
buying
Go
To
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1
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