The second law of thermodynamics is often interpreted to say, "Everything tends toward chaos unless acted upon by another force.".  When pertaining to a home, a home owner's maintenance is usually the "force" which stops the property's otherwise tendency towards decay.  A home maintenance inspection helps you do just that by alerting you to areas that need attention before they cause expensive damage or become emergencies.

Investment Property Inspections

Investment property inspections are performed prior to purchase as well as periodically during ownership. Pre-purchase inspections are performed to identify defects prior to taking ownership.  The information gathered often assists buyers in negotiating repairs or price adjustments to reflect the condition of the property. Periodic inspections for properties currently in your portfolio would ensure the identification of needed repairs. It is not uncommon for long-term tenants to sometimes neglect to mention repairs and/or abuse the property during their tenancy. Identifying those problems early is the key to profitable ownership.

It is important to have an inspection when purchasing a condominium or other similar unit as well.  Although the building's exterior maintenance is usually covered by association fees, the interior is the owner's responsibility to repair and maintain.  Because a condominium inspection focuses mainly on the unit's interior (heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing included), the inspection fee is reduced to appropriately account for the reduced inspecting time.