If you’re wondering how to find a good home inspector, you’re not alone. No matter how amazing a home looks, you’ll want to kick those tires—hard—before you buy. And that means you need to know how to find a good home inspector.

A home inspector examines a home and points out any flaws, from a leaky roof to a faulty foundation. Typically home inspections happen in the days after your offer has been accepted but before you close the deal. That way, you can accurately gauge whether you really want to move forward, cut your losses, or renegotiate with the seller for a fairer price.

But an inspection is only as good as your inspector, so you have to make sure you’re dealing with someone who really knows their stuff. Here’s how to find a home inspector who’ll ace the job.

Are home inspectors licensed?

It seems like a no-brainer to hire an inspector who has been licensed or certified, but it’s not as simple as you think, according to Frank Lesh, executive director of the nonprofit American Society of Home Inspectors.

Not every state requires home inspectors to be licensed, and for those that do, the licenses can mean varying degrees of expertise, depending on the state’s requirements. There are also independent groups that certify inspectors where the quality varies considerably.

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Billionaire Peter Brant and wife Stephanie Seymour hope a buyer will splash out a cool $28 million for their sprawling Palm Beach, FL, estate.

The paper mogul/art collector and his supermodel wife own another Palm Beach mansion that was once home to late shopping center mogul, A. Alfred Taubman. The famous couple purchased the home back in 2020 for a whopping $46 million.

The sizzling-hot housing market on Palm Beach has celebrities and investors flocking to the glitzy island, which boasts miles of pristine beaches.

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Technology company RentSpree has partnered with Jacksonville, Florida's, realMLS to empower agents in the rental business, the company exclusively told Inman.

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It used to be that folks could dependably find cheap rent in large swaths of the Midwest and the South. But those deals are quickly dissipating.

In most of the country, monthly rents are still rising—although not by nearly as much as they did during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic housing frenzy. Nationally, rents rose 3.1% year over year in February to $1,716 a month, in the 50 largest metropolitan areas, according to the most recent Realtor.com® report. But rents are rising much faster in some of the country’s more traditionally affordable areas.

Rents surged in places such as Indianapolis, where they rose 11.8%; Oklahoma City, which saw a 10.9% jump; and Birmingham, AL, where there was a 9.4% increase year over year.

“Some of that discount advantage has dissipated from those markets over the past few years,” says George Ratiu, Realtor.com’s senior economist.

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Most homebuyers understand the perils of making a financial misstep like buying more house than they can afford or ending up with a money pit that requires unexpected, big-budget repairs. After all, buying a home is likely the most important financial decision you’ll ever make, and you want to walk away from the process feeling like you made a good deal.

But there’s one less obvious move many homebuyers are tempted to make that real estate agents far and wide would strongly advise against: submitting a lowball offer for the heck of it.

“It’s so common for buyers to see what the sellers paid themselves, realize the seller didn’t put money into making improvements, and decide that they should pay less,” says Ann Robertson, a licensed real estate agent at Barley and Barley in Washington, DC. “But an increase from what a house cost when it was last purchased and what it is on the market for now is not a 1-to-1 comparison. A lot happens in the market and in the economy that affects prices.”

It’s tempting to try to bargain your way into that gorgeous million-dollar house in that perfect neighborhood you’ve been eyeing. It’s also easy to judge a home as wildly overpriced. But there’s a lot that goes into determining the value of a home.

When two artists bought the vacant building, it was ‘grim and creepy.’ Now it’s not only a home — it’s a communal arts space.

When two artists bought the vacant building, it was ‘grim and creepy.’ Now it’s not only a home — it’s a communal arts space.

When two artists bought the vacant building, it was ‘grim and creepy.’ Now it’s not only a home — it’s a communal arts space.

Marketing yourself and your business starts with your bio. Part 2 of this 5-part series shares what to write and how to ensure you look your best.

These powerhouse real estate experts share their knowledge freely on Twitter, taking on real estate topics as well as marketing, operations and other business topics, which you can learn from and implement in your own business.

Find out how to get over your fears and show up as your authentic self on social media so that you can make more connections.

Terry Schmidt was Mary Ann McGarry's first hire at Guild in 1985, and the two led a 2007 management buyout of the company from founder Martin Gleich.

Bubble, the technology-blended insurance brokerage, provides clients of JPAR with a web-based series of solutions for home, auto and life insurance.

Realtor.com

As far as historic homes go, it’s hard to top one that actually predates the country where it’s located. But that’s exactly what makes this Philadelphia townhome, built in 1763 at 231 Spruce Street, so unique.

Originally owned by famous ship captain James Gibbon, the five-bedroom, two-bath home was last sold in 2006 for $990,000.

The beautifully maintained property was recently listed for $1.9 million.

With more than 3,400 square feet (including a private terrace), the fully modernized home still retains much of its original charm.

The $2.7 billion deal does not include about $4 billion in crypto-related deposits held by the former Signature Bank's digital-assets banking business, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

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You hit the jackpot and found a home with everything you want. And bonus—it backs up to vacant land!

A little more privacy is very inviting, but you might want to pump the brakes before making an offer. While buying a house next to vacant land seems like a good thing at first blush, think about this: What if, years from now, someone decides to build a monstrous 24/7 storage unit or a gas station there?

That’s right. You lose your private oasis, and it could also impact your resale value.

“As a buyer, you definitely want to consider what may happen in the future in that location,” says Tiffany Szakal, agent and managing broker at The Local Element in Grand Rapids, MI.

Lane's appointment comes after M. Ryan Gorman's abrupt ouster as CEO in December. The brand also announced that Liz Gehringer would take on an expanded role as president and CEO of Anywhere Franchise Brands, the company exclusively told Inman.

Realtor.com

A charming, historic house with a rock ‘n’ roll pedigree has hit the market for $22.5 million in Santa Monica, CA.

Known as the Witbeck House, the delightful domicile dates back to 1917. That’s when businessman Charles Witbeck decided to commission a two-story, shingle house that looked more at home on the East Coast than in California.

Arts and Crafts architects Greene and Greene took on the task, creating three structures on the property: a main house, two-bedroom guesthouse, and two-story A-frame.

Brothers Charles and Henry Greene were known for creating “ultimate bungalows,” including several landmark houses and buildings in Southern California—but no others in Santa Monica.

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Concerns over the stability of the U.S. banking system is spilling over into the housing sector as experts worry about credit drying up for home builders.

The collapse of banks such as Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank has spooked many investors who have withdrawn vast sums of money from regional banks and moved it to bigger financial institutions for safekeeping.

With an uncertain economic outlook, experts worry about the availability of credit for home builders and mortgage lenders, which could hurt the housing market.

Wall Street is anticipating tighter credit conditions for the U.S. economy in the months ahead. Goldman Sachs recently lowered its forecast for U.S. economic growth, expecting small and medium-sized banks to scale back lending, to preserve liquidity.

HGTV

On HGTV’s “Home Town,” Erin and Ben Napier are no strangers to helping fellow Laurel, MS, residents restore historical homes, but their latest project gets personal and is unlike anything they’ve ever done before.

In the Season 7 episode “The Heart of Laurel,” the married couple introduce two beloved pillars of their community, Janice and John Hollingsworth (along with one of their nine adult children and two of their 13 grandchildren).

Growing up in Laurel, Erin explains, “Their house was the one that all the kids in the neighborhood thought of as a home. Miss Janice was everybody’s momma. When people speak about the Hollingsworths, they say, ‘That is a family that all of us looked up to.’”

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