Mail-From: local user C340AS71 at 5-Apr-83 12:52:04-EST
Date:  5 April 1983 1242-EST (Tuesday)
From: Alfred.Spector at CMU-CS-A
To: Harry.Bovik at CMU-CS-A
Subject: Re: Contractor to Eval a House
Message-Id: <05Apr83 124212 AS71@CMU-CS-A>
Mail-From: local user C410TL19 at 4-Apr-83 19:38:45-EST

1. DO NOT go to a contractor. Find a building inspector who does only
inspecting, not repairing - that way, he won't be tempted to recommend
unnecessary work.
2. We just this week had the house we're buying inspected by Dave
Anderson of Applied Analysis (661-5300).  He seemed thorough and
knowledgeable.  Another person who has been highly recommended to us is
a Mr. Valenti - check with Vanguard/Pitt R.E. to find out how to reach him.
3. Typical fee for a complete inspection & written report is $150.
(This is on top of the $30 termite inspection which the bank will require.)
4. Be sure to go along when the inspection is done, and ask questions;
you get a lot of useful info that way.
5. If you'd like to do it yourself, there's an excellent little book
called "How to Inspect a House", by George Hoffman. (This is probably
worth reading anyway, for background info, before you go over the house
with the inspector.) We'll be happy to lend you our copy.
				tom lane

PS. We've been taking a home buying course through CCAC and have
learned a good deal about the fine points of agreements of sale, etc.
Will be happy to share our experiences with anyone out there in Bovik-land.