When you're in the market for a new house, every little detail counts. If you overlook an important flaw, you could be in for major repair or overhaul bills in your would-be dream home. Fortunately, you can avoid unexpected costs with some savvy when it comes to choosing your home inspector. Your house is likely the biggest investment you’ll ever make, so it's worth paying for a quality inspector to ensure that a home's systems are in good shape before committing to buy.

An Expensive Proposition

Even when a house's interior and exterior look great, there could be problems lurking within the walls. The HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems are invisible to the average consumer, but they play an essential role in your quality of living – not to mention your pocketbook.

There could be problems with sewer lines, decaying ducts or outdated electrical products like knob-and-tube wiring – issues that could cost tens of thousands of dollars to remedy. A home inspector is your best friend when it comes to rooting out these hidden costs.

Insist on the Best

You don't want to rely on just anyone when it comes to something this important, so follow these tips to make sure you get the most from your home inspector:

To Buy or not to Buy

When an inspection turns up major problems, you can bring them to the seller and ask them to do the repair work, or at least cover part of the cost. Or, if an issue is serious enough, you could walk away from the sale altogether.

Once you take the plunge and make the purchase, don't forget to call an expert home services professional to make follow-up inspections every few years so you can spot any future problems before they develop.

All households are trying to remain warm during the colder months. As such, the likelihood of experiencing a house fire increases during the winter. Fortunately, you can reduce your chances of having a house fire by following the following safety strategies.

Many home fires start when sparks from a fireplace ignite flammables that are too close to the hearth. If you have a fireplace, you can reduce your chances of experiencing a house fire by removing any flammables close to your fireplace. 

Additionally, you must prevent embers from flying out of your fireplace. Installing glass door fronts on your fireplace will prevent sparks from coming into contact with flammable materials.