In days gone by, home inspections weren't made as often as they are today. Our parents and grandparents, for the most part, bought a home, raised their family in it and stayed there until the home or farmstead simply got to be too much for them to manage. Then they moved into a small retirement home or their children moved in with them and assumed the care and upkeep of the home.

Things are different today.

In todays mobile society we move quite often. Our jobs take us from one end of the country to the other. We advance in our profession and simply have to have a newer, bigger home to keep up with (or ahead of) all of our friends and co-workers.

We have become a throw-away society. Cars, clothes, household furnishings, our toys - everything seems to get replaced and "upgraded" as soon as the shine is off and we can afford something newer. Something better, something bigger. Even our homes get traded in.

Our mobility does not come without pitfalls.

Each time we move, chances are good that we are moving into an neighborhood or section of the country that is new to us. One that comes with its own unique style and age of available homes. We may be faced with construction materials, methods and equipment that we are unfamiliar with. This makes a home inspection especially important, even if it is not required by a lender.

My current series of home inspection reports will help you get a little better idea of some of things you should be looking for and being aware of. My current report Old Boilers, Sagging Floors and Other Home Inspection Mistakes covers subjects such as:

• How much does a thorough home inspection cost and what does it include?
• Can a house fail inspection?
• Are old boilers a cause of concern?
• When should a slate roof be replaced?
• Is a stone foundation cause for concern?

A home inspection is should not be a scary process, just another step in the process to make sure you end up in your dream home rather than falling into a money pit!

Download you free copy of Old Boilers, Sagging Floors and Other Home Inspection Mistakes today to get the answers to the questions I posed. Become better informed and rest better at night!

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The most fundamental element of your home is its structure. Just as the skeleton of a human person is what gives him poise and form, the home’s structure is what makes your house stand on its own.

At times, building methods varied from region to region. However, despite this regional variation, some basic elements are present in all homes. These elements include the following:

• Foundation
• Walls
• Floors
• Ceilings
• Roof Framing
• Support Members

A typical home owner would be familiar with the above structural elements of a home. And if you’re not, a home inspector is usually there to guide you through it. In fact, that is precisely the reason why it is very important that you are present during the home inspection of your potential new home.

During the walk-through, you can typically ask the home inspector about any concerns you may have. And yet, how can you expect to ask the right questions when you don’t even know the first thing about the structure of your home? The answer, of course, is you learn as much as you can beforehand.

I have prepared a short report that will give you a good "heads up" inspecting your prospective home. Just remember, this is a guide only and is no substitute for a professional home inspector. Just click the link and "Save As" to get your Free PDF report "Understanding Home Inspections - Understanding Your Home.

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Have you ever considered the option of buying your home "Rent to Own"? If not, and if you're still struggling to finally get into a home of your own, it is definitely something worth considering. While this is an attractive way to go for many, Rent to Own also offers a few pitfalls for the unwary.

When you rent to buy, you enter into a rental or lease contract with the property owner and agree to purchase the property in the future. The length of this agreement is commonly 3 years, with some agreements stretching out to 5 years and some shorter.

The purchase price is set in the beginning but is based on the expected property value at the time the property is sold. For example, if the property value today was $100,000 and you agreed to purchase it 5 years from now, the agreed purchase price would be around $160,000, assuming an annual appreciation of 10%. Of course, this is only a projected ball park number and is negotiable.

Setting the future purchase price is really a crystal ball effort. If the property appreciates at a greater rate than estimated, the buyer (that's you) wins. If for some reason property values stagnate, you could lose. But, that is one of the uncertainties that face any property owner.

The greatest appeal to buying "Rent to Own" is that you do not have to qualify for a loan from a mortgage company. Many investors actually look for buyers with credit difficulties and assist them in getting their credit cleaned up or established so they can qualify for a regular mortgage when it comes time to purchase the home.

Your monthly rental may be higher than for a straight rental home. On the other hand, you may be able to negotiate with the seller to have a certain percentage of your monthly payment credited to the purchase price. Rental credit typically is about 50% but some investors will actually credit all of your rental to the purchase price. Again, this is negotiable. Strike as hard of a deal as you can. And keep in mind that if you move and do not end up buying the home for any reason, your total rental is forfeited! No Refunds.

You will also have to come up with an upfront deposit that can range from 3% to 10% of the market value of the home. Again, this fee is normally not refundable if you fail to complete a purchase so you need to be fairly sure that you want the home. Unlike a straight rental where you can pick up and leave and maybe only lose a month rental and cleaning deposit, there can be serious financial consequences if you do not go through with a purchase.

"Rent to Own" properties are fairly easy to find and range from starters to up-scale homes in nice neighborhoods. But not every home can be purchased this way so the trick is finding the right one for you. Look for signs and ads saying "Rent to Own", "Owner Carry", "Owner Financing", "Lease Option" or something similar.

Also check any For Sale By Owner ads. It may not have been the owners' intention to sell the home on contract, but it never hurts to ask! And don't let potential negatives of "Rent to Own" discourage you. They are only negative if you end up not buying.

Next time, we'll discuss more of the "positives".

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