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Smart buyers who are planning to purchase foreclosed homes know that conducting a home inspection will help them make an informed decision. The following are some factors that they should know before hiring a home inspection company.

• Make sure that you and an agent have signed a contract with stipulation that he/she represents you and not the seller. An agent who is contracted by the seller has the fiduciary obligation to earn as much profit as possible from the sale for the seller. Refuse a seller agent’s referral for an inspector because it may not bode well for you.
  Massachusetts law prohibits a seller agent to recommend a home inspection company. Find yourself a home inspector who has experience, license and professional affiliation.
• State law requires the inspection of septic systems prior to the sale of a home. This pass/fail basis inspection is intended for environmental protection and does not provide you replacement information.
• Find a home inspector who specializes in the inspection of toxic substances such as radon. A radioactive gas, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It seeps through cracks or foundations in the house from the earth. Make sure that radon testing is conducted before and after purchasing the home.
• If you are considering buying a home with its own well, your mortgage lender may ask for a flow or water quantity test. Pump tests are advised if the flow of the well has not been tested for years. Water supply performance standard provides a flow of at least 5 gallons every minute over a period of four hours for about 1,200 gallons.
• Hire an inspector that specializes in termite inspection. This is necessary if you are purchasing a townhouse, single home, multi-family home or garden-style apartment. An inspector may also check wood destroying organisms such as powder post beetles, carpenter bees and carpenter ants.

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