If you’re thinking about buying a house, you must get a home inspection first. What most people don’t realize, however, is it can also be valuable to retain one before you sell a property to identify any problems before your accept an offer. Fixing such problems before hand makes a lot more sense than panicking in the middle of escrow. Here are some tips from real estate Charleston South Carolina company Premier One, also don’t forget to check them out for the best Charleston MLS property search:

Regardless of your particular position in the real estate process, the home inspection is only as good as the inspector. Frankly, some inspectors are less than credible when it comes to qualifications and their background. To bypass these individuals, the following organizations should be used as a resource.

The American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. is located in Des Plaines, Illinois. Known as ASHI, it was founded in 1976 to create a resource and quality control atmosphere for home inspections. You can get referrals to ASHI inspectors in your area by contacting the Society at 800-743-ASHI. In doing so, you will avoid hacks calling themselves inspectors. The last thing you want to do is throw away your money or get an inspection that is not accurate.

The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors is another credible organization. Located in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, the Association maintains both a code of ethics and strict standards of practice for its members. With over 9,000 members in North America, you can find an inspector in your area by calling 1-877 FIND-INS. Take the time to make this call, it is worth the few minutes.

Another organization that stands out in the home inspection industry is the National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the organization also requires members to abide by strict practice standards and a code of ethics, which should be comforting to you. You can contact it to find a home inspector in your area by calling 800-448-3942.

The old cliché is garbage in, garbage out. By using a credible home inspector, you can put this cliché out of your mind. Look at it this way, buying a home is going to be the biggest purchase you make in your life. The last thing you need is buying a home that is in need of major repairs because the inspector that you hired was not qualified to identity the issues.

Working with a qualified home inspector will ensure your home is sound and that your investment grows over time. The equity you are building is your nest egg in a sense.