10) Get an inspector with experience in your type of home
Are you buying a condo in a new development, a 50-year-old Cape, or a turn-of-the-century Victorian? Each type of home has its own personality and potential pitfalls, so it's important that your inspector has experience with that type of home – even better if they have experience with that type of home in the same neighborhood you're buying, says Mushinsky.
One loose guide to help you contact inspectors for your type of home: look up the inspector's license number, Mushinsky advises. The lower the license number, the longer the inspector has likely in the business, and the more hands-on experience they probably have, possibly with older homes. The higher the license number, the inspector may be newer and may have more classroom experience, which may include learning experience in newer developments. As always, though, once you contact an inspector, it's important to ask about their experience with the type of home you're buying.
• Check the license numbers of Mass. inspectors
Are you buying a condo in a new development, a 50-year-old Cape, or a turn-of-the-century Victorian? Each type of home has its own personality and potential pitfalls, so it's important that your inspector has experience with that type of home – even better if they have experience with that type of home in the same neighborhood you're buying, says Mushinsky.
One loose guide to help you contact inspectors for your type of home: look up the inspector's license number, Mushinsky advises. The lower the license number, the longer the inspector has likely in the business, and the more hands-on experience they probably have, possibly with older homes. The higher the license number, the inspector may be newer and may have more classroom experience, which may include learning experience in newer developments. As always, though, once you contact an inspector, it's important to ask about their experience with the type of home you're buying.
• Check the license numbers of Mass. inspectors
(Aram Boghosian Photo for The Boston Globe)
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 The Big Move is online. Check out the chat schedule and upcoming features at boston.com/bigmove, and pick up The Big Move section in The Boston Globe on Sunday, Sept. 14.
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