We continue to see and inspect many homes in Atlanta that are foreclosures. We expect to continue to see a high level of foreclosed homes in 2009. We highly recommend always obtaining a home inspection regardless if it’s a new construction home, first time home buyer, relocation, foreclosure, or simply put, for ANY buyer. There are no licensing requirements for home inspectors in the state of Georgia, so grabbing the phone book or searching online for a home inspector and price shopping in not advised. Trying to save $50 on an Atlanta Home Inspection could wind up costing you thousands!

Usually homes that are foreclosed are bought ”as is” and the buyer is under a time constraint to complete the transaction. Typically foreclosed homes in Atlanta have been winterized, or the utilities have been turned off to the home, many times for several months. We advise that you have the utilities turned onto the foreclosed home prior to the home inspection. We recommend coordinating this with your agent or the listing agent, sometimes the bank or foreclosure company requires you to put the utilities temporarily in your name and a small fee may be charged. It is well worth the time and money spent getting the utilities on.

Lastly, make sure your Atlanta home inspector is a Full member of ASHI (www.ashi.org)  this is the highest level of membership in ASHI, or INACHI. Also make sure the Atlanta home inspector has errors & omissions AND general liability insurance. Hire an Atlanta GA home inspector who has a professional website such as www.choosesuperiorinspection.com and ask to see all their credentials, even if the home inspector verbally states they have the aforementioned information.