Should I get a property inspector

[Kevin Andrews]

when a home is being sold as is during foreclosure should I still go.through a property inspection and have an inspection contingency in my offer?

[Jim Shepard]

Kevin, I would recommend you have any house you are considering inspected. It gives another set of unbiased eyes looking at it and picking it apart. This really applies to a foreclosure. Were the water lines and sewer lines properly winterized if in a cold climate? What has deteriorated while sitting vacant for years? For the few hundred bucks an inspector charges is well worth it. It also gives you a chance to renegotiate the deal with the seller. Banks a lot of times will not renegotiate though. If the inspector does find something significant the seller then has to disclose to the other buyers. He could find foundation issues or mold that can get expensive. The inspection can be your out if the repairs are greater than you were figuring.