Frank Lesh says there are two big mistakes he sees buyers make. The 2007 ASHI president says the first mistake is not attending the home inspection first hand. As he says, “Would you send your ailing father to the doctor alone? You must be there to hear what the physician has to say about his condition. The same is true about the home inspection.”

The second biggest mistake he sees people make is not taking the advice of their inspector. Just take Dan's story, for example. He told his client the thirty-year-old boiler was beyond its useful life, may fail at anytime, and she should bring in another specialist to review the system, but she didn't listen. She took the advice of the listing agent and the bank's attorney, and never got it further inspected. After she closed and took possession of the home, the boiler died — at a cost of $6,000 from her own pocket.

Recognize what is serious and what is not. Be reasonable while protecting your interests. Figure deferred maintenance into your purchase price. Realize that a property that is not new is not new — don't expect perfection. Get the home you want, and let the little stuff slide.