By Pamela Fisher
Before purchasing a home, it is critical to have the property checked by a professional home inspector, say those in the real estate field.
By investigating interior and exterior aspects of a home–such as the walls, foundation, roof, plumbing, heating, and appliances–an inspector can provide important insight regarding routine maintenance that should be performed. Home inspections can also reveal significant defects, enabling a buyer to rescind an offer.
Mike Feeder, a licensed certified inspector and owner of Assured Home Inspections in Hudson Falls, has conducted numerous residential home inspections during his 23 years in business. He said it is important for buyers to work with licensed certified inspectors in all-case scenarios.
Feeder said licensed inspectors are knowledgeable of up-to-date information regarding all systems within a home because of having to maintain continuing education requirements.
“It is critical for people, even buying a new house, to have a home inspection,” said Feeder. “Even though a new house is being inspected by a code enforcement officer, all that person is doing is ensuring the houses meets the bare minimum standards.”
Feeder mainly works within Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties, and said he is called frequently to work around Spring Lake, Indian Lake, and Lake George. He said these areas are popular for home inspections because there are buyers from out of the area wanting to purchase prospective vacation or second homes.
“Buyers don’t always know a lot about the homes they are purchasing, and they need a licensed certified inspector to come in and go through the house, especially during the inspection contingency,” said Feeder. “In order to go back to the seller and renegotiate, or get out of the contract, they need to have a licensed inspector to do it. If someone inspects a home and is not a licensed inspector, even if he finds something and writes it down, it is not going to be enough to get somebody back to the negotiation table.”
Feeder refers to his business as a “one stop shop,” as customers do not have to call various inspectors for separate issues such as radon, water, or insects. “I take care of it all for them and offer high quality report and pictures,” he said.
Feeder also offers customers a one-year subscription, free of charge, to a homeowner network. Feeder says this service is “like having an expert on call to answer questions about home-related issues.”
Most of Feeder’s work is with buyers, though he does also work with sellers looking to put their homes on the market.
“I will go through a house and point out some things that a home inspector might flag as being items that need correction, and basically get the buyer’s home ready to make a great first impression,” he said.
Feeder said his customers are satisfied with Assured Home Inspections because of the amount of time he spends with his customers, and also his passion for home inspections. “I consider myself very lucky to get to see some beautiful houses and to be the person to introduce excited customers to their new homes,” said Feeder. “This is not just an inspection, but an education. I teach them how to maintain their investment, of which for most people is probably the largest investment they will ever make.”
To contact Feeder of Assured Home Inspections, call 761-4677.