BOUND BROOK, N.J., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Ever wonder what major repairs lurk in your home? And how much it will cost to make those repairs? Every home, regardless of age, needs upkeep. But some home repair and maintenance needs may cost considerably more than expected, and can leave a new homeowner wondering how they'll make their next mortgage payment. Mike Kuhn, author of The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Home Inspections, and veteran Technical Director at HouseMaster, the oldest national company to provide home inspection services, weighs in on the most common and costly repairs. "It should be expected that every 'used' home will need some repairs, from cosmetic upgrades to system maintenance and overhauls," says Kuhn. "But there are some problems that cost significantly more than most people think, and can cause a real financial nightmare to cash-strapped home buyers." This is precisely what happened to Eric Schoenfeld, who recently bought a 13-year-old home in Chester, New Jersey. "Our inspector told us that we would eventually have to replace our air conditioning system and that we should get some estimates before closing. We should have listened to him and negotiated more with the seller-When the air condition system died soon after we moved in, we were shocked when the lowest bid we got was for $15,000!" Many first-time homebuyers often use whatever savings they have to cover the down payment, leaving few liquid assets available in the event that repairs need to be made after moving in, Kuhn explains. "Having a home inspection can help a buyer budget accordingly, by providing insight into which repairs may be imminent." "Home inspectors can't see through walls, so there's no way to eliminate all the surprises when buying a home. But buyers should at least do what they can during the process and nail down firm estimates prior to signing on the dotted line," advises Kuhn. "The best way to get a comprehensive picture of a home's condition is to get an unbiased top-to-bottom evaluation (based on local or national industry standards) of all the components and systems in a house by a professional home inspector and then heed the inspector's advice." Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Mike Kuhn http://profnet.prnewswire.com/ud_public.jsp?userid=509153
