I don't need an inspection. There is no perfect house. Virtually all homes will have some minor problems, and an inspection report on an older home usually includes some safety upgrade recommendations. If the inspection and report reveal major or expensive problems, you now have this information to make an informed buying decision. Plus there are no guarantees that a home will not develop problems after you move in. It is always better to be safe than sorry. I can do the inspection myself. It is very difficult for a purchaser to remain objective about a home they have decided to buy. And if "Uncle Tom" offers to inspect the home, he may find he's in over his head and discourage you from buying the home due to fear that there may be something wrong with it. Very rarely will a homeowner, or even a construction tradesman, have the knowledge and expertise of an experienced home inspector that has inspected thousands of homes. As well, there are many inspectors out there that have worked in fields totally unrelated, or they lacked the experience necessary to be successful inspectors. For example, an appliance salesman or a painter who studied a book to pass a state exam hardly qualifies as an experienced inspector.  A home inspector has to have some knowledge of all the building trades and the components and systems in a home. More importantly, the inspector must know how all these systems interact with each other to make a safe and healthy home.  ASHI home inspectors accomplish the most rigorous requirements to become members.  As a result of these requirements, only one out of every nine inspectors qualify to become ASHI certified. I cannot afford an inspection. Residential home inspections vary in cost from area to area and from house to house. Most inspectors have fees based on the size of the home. Some inspectors charge an additional fee for older homes or for items outside the scope of a regular home inspection, such as pools or spas. Other inspectors, that may be new to the business, will charge you a relatively nominal amount in comparison to increase their marketing. This possibly may not provide you with all the knowledge and information essential for a sound property transaction.  As with many products or services, the cost should not be the deciding factor in your decision. ASHI home inspectors try to be competitively priced, but a home inspector's qualifications and professional affiliations should be of greater importance to you. This can determine the quality of the inspection you will receive.  In many cases, you DO get what you paid for.  Why trust one of the largest investments you'll make in life to just anyone who appears to be the least expensive? Why take a chance in saving a few dollars now, only to pay thousands later? I do not need an agent. Realtors are, all too often, left out of property sales in hopes of saving money for both sides of the deal.  While this may sound like a tempting idea, it may result in a complete lack of knowledge and representation for both parties should any future issues arise or repairs be needed that could have been avoided in financial and repair negotiations during the sale of the home.  There are many important aspects of a real estate transaction that most Buyers/Sellers are unaware of, or in what order they need to take place.  Home inspection is a prime example, due to deadlines or the "Inspection Period" (typically 10-15 days from when the Seller accepts an offer). As well, real estate professionals know that professional home inspections are a very important part of buying and selling houses, as it not only details the condition of the home, but assists in their negotiations on behalf of the client. Clients can appreciate the advice of a realtor, being that this person performs real estate transactions on a daily basis. Furthermore, an agent has an obligation to his/her client. The agent can assist in providing not only the best home according to the client's needs and desires, but also direction for the best financial assistance in acquiring the home.