If you're buying a house you probably already know that the house will need a home inspection. But here's something you might not know. Here's a tip that can potentially save you lots of money and even more grief.

Often the buyer's real estate agent will offer to find a home inspector to make the inspection on the house. Don't do it. Don't let the real estate agent choose your home inspector. Chances are the real estate agent is just trying to be helpful. But keep in mind that your agent has a financial interest in making sure that nothing disrupts your purchase of the house. A very small number of unethical agents have been known to collude with equally unethical inspectors to produce a more favorable inspection report than is justified by the facts.

So you should choose the home inspector and pay the inspector when he or she provides you with the inspection report. Only in this way can you avoid a conflict of interest.

Not all home inspectors are equal. Some are much more knowledgeable and have more experience in making inspections. Since a good home inspection can save you thousands of dollars, its always best to interview several before choosing which one will work for you.