Today I spent 3 1/2 hours attending a home inspection  on one of my Wenatchee listings.   A home inspection is an option the buyer can choose in order to become familiar with the property and to see if there are any unforeseen problems.  I love home inspections because they are good for the buyer and seller.  The buyer hires the inspector knowing they will be looking out for their best interest.  The seller can rest assured there will be no unexpected problems before or  after closing.   

Generally speaking, home inspections don't turn up anything too surprising... small stuff for the most part.   When you're dealing with a "used" house you don't expect things to be perfect, but we don't want any problems that would be considered health or safety issues.  

Some people use the terms "home inspection" and "structural inspection" interchangeably.  They are not the same thing.  A "home inspection" is an inspection of the general condition, function,  and serviceability  of the building and it's components.  A "structural inspection" is an inspection of the actual structural integrity of the building itself.   A structural inspection is done by a qualified structural engineer. 

Here's a link to a short article that explains some differences in the kinds of inspections available.    When hiring a home inspector or structural inspector it is always a good idea to get references from past  customers of the inspectors.   Your realtor can also recommend a choice of inspectors in your area.

Remember, if you're interested in buying or selling real estate in Wenatchee  or the surrounding area, I would be pleased to help you coordinate the transaction.