Berlin, MD, - Depending on whom you ask, today's residential real estate market can be called "strong" or "soft." Yet experts predict that close to four million homes will be sold this year throughout North America, a significant increase over the last year or two.

   In spite of fluctuating interest rates, people continue to move, to be relocated by their employers, and to simply embark on the dream of home ownership - a dream fraught with enough pitfalls to boggle even the more experienced home buyer's mind.

   "Buying a resale home has always been a tedious process," says Alan Hoffman, director of the Maryland Eastern Shore HouseMaster office. "But when you have unstable economic and market conditions, the list of possible problems grows by leaps and bounds."

   These days, pre-purchase inspections of resale homes by buyers is, more than ever, one of the best ways of protecting that very large investment, Hoffman adds. "HouseMaster has performed more than 750,000 inspections all across North America, so we've seen how the inspection can help a buyer avoid major expensive surprises after moving in. With buyers looking to spend more of their disposable income on mortgages, along with higher home prices, such surprises can be devastating to a home buyer."

   He adds though, that many people may not understand how the home inspection fits into the whole - often frenetic - home-buying process. "This is important, in order to get the most advantage out of it and to make it work for you during what is usually a very anxious, fast-paced process," Hoffman explains.

   He offers the following answers to several important questions concerning home inspections:

Q. Why do I need a home inspection?
A. It could be said that a pre-purchase inspection takes the surprise out of the home purchase. More than 40 percent of the resale home for sale - that's two out of five - have at least one serious defect when they go on the market. Performed by a qualified home inspection company, the inspection will examine all the major systems of the house, from top to bottom, inside and out, providing an objective opinion of the physical condition of the house. No other party involved in the sale can offer as much information about the home's condition as a trained inspector can. The inspector may sometimes uncover conditions that the owner and real estate agent were unaware of, that could potentially cost an unknowing buyer thousands of dollars to repair.

Q. At what point in the home-buying process do I have a home inspection?
A. Obviously one doesn't professionally inspect every house they look at. After a decision has been made to purchase a particular home, meaning it meets all your important criteria, such as location, quality of education, proximity to shopping and transportation, etc., you call in a professional inspection firm to assess the home's physical condition.

   In the Eastern Shore market, having a pre-purchase inspection should be made a "contingency" in the sales agreement or contract, making the sale contingent on the inspection results. In other words, the inspection should be completed before the sale can be consummated.

Q. What does the typical home inspection include, how long does it take and how much does it cost?
A. For the average home, the inspection should take between two and two-and-a-half hours to complete and should include a close examination of all the major components of the house. This includes the central heating and cooling systems, interior plumbing system, electrical system, roof, siding, walls, ceilings and floors, foundation and built-in kitchen appliances. The cost for the service in this area averages from $200 to $250 and should include a detailed inspection report in plain English. HouseMaster inspectors are all equipped to provide - on request - cost estimates on items in need of repair - now and in the future - as well as suggestions regarding the type of repair recommended. This allows the buyer to budget for these repairs after moving in, as well.

Q. Should the buyer be present during the inspection?
A. Most reputable inspection companies will encourage the buyer to come along with the inspector. In addition to seeing the house from a different perspective, they learn first-hand about the care and maintenance of the home from a professional - the inspector. Being present at the inspection affords the buyer an opportunity to ask a lot of questions about the various systems and what to expect in the way of upkeep.

Q. What does the home buyer do with the inspection report?
A. In addition to learning more about the house you are about to purchase, if the inspection reveals any major defects - which HouseMaster defines as costing $500 or more to correct - the buyer can usually go back to the seller, who then has the following options: make the repairs, re-negotiate the purchase price, or allow the buyer to void the purchase agreement without penalty.

Q. What should you look for when choosing an inspection company?
A. The first thing is to be sure that the firm you choose is completely impartial, meaning they have no stake in the sale of the property. For example, some inspectors are also contractors, who may have a vested interest in the inspection results. The best rule is to choose a company for which inspection is their only business. What kind of experience do they have and what type of training do their inspectors receive? Are they credible, meaning do they carry all the necessary insurance, including professional and general liability and worker's compensation. This is absolutely necessary, since only those firms with good track records can obtain this often expensive insurance. Those that don't are shirking their responsibility to all the parties involved and should be ruled out. Also make sure they will stand behind their report with a formal guarantee.

   For a free "Home Buyer's Kit," including a checklist for choosing an inspection company, call the local MD. Eastern Shore HouseMaster office at 410-208-9656 or 1-888-296-9656.

   Most home inspection companies won't pass judgment on the purchase of the house you've hired them to inspect. Nor will they suggest that the price you've agreed to pay is too high or too low. They shouldn't - and most won't - since their role is as an objective third party who evaluates only the condition of the home, item for item, system by system. Yet while most home inspection firms adhere to this rule, there are still tremendous differences between firms, and choosing the wrong one can prove disastrous. According to HouseMaster, here's what to look for:

   Impartiality -- Is home inspection the firm's only business, or are they also contractors who might have a conflict of interest? Who was it that recommended them and do they have any personal stake in the sale of the property?

   Experience -- How long has the firm been in the business of home inspections and how many inspections have they performed? How much and what type of training do their inspectors receive? How much practical experience do their inspectors have and how often and in what ways are they monitored? Is the firm large enough to keep inspectors up-to-date on the latest professional information regarding home construction and materials? How ofter are heir inspectors tested?

   Reputation -- Does the inspection firm have a good inspection history? Are they recognized as professionals? Have they encouraged you to join the inspector during the inspection?

   Credibility -- Does the firm carry all the necessary insurance, including professional and general liability insurance (Errors and Omissions), and worker's compensation? Will they stand behind their report (which should be on paper and very detailed) by offering a formal guarantee?

   Fee Structure -- There is currently no industry standard for how home inspection firms charge their clients. Firms charge varying prices for different services. The national range for a standard two-and-a half-hour complete house inspection is $200 to $450. Ask beforehand what this covers, since the standard fee generally does not cover extra tests, such as radon, water potability, well and septic, termites, etc. Many firms offer credit card charging.

   Reports -- What type of report will you receive? How detailed will it be? Is it in plain English, meaning the average person will understand it? Is there special terminology and is it defined in the report? How long will it take to get the report? Be wary of any inspection service that doesn't provide a formal report. Also, professional inspectors can provide cost estimates for repairs with their reports.