For homeowners who either look at their property as an investment or simply want to keep their house in the best possible living condition for their own pleasure, the importance of a home inspection cannot be overstated. While some may be hesitant to spend the money on a process like that, it's something that can very well save you thousands of dollars in future repairs or wasted energy costs — not to mention it's just plain helpful to know all the ins and outs of your house.

FOX Business recently ran a piece on all the different freak incidents home inspectors have discovered in houses, ranging from "a 15-foot boa constrictor holed up in the dark" to "electrical wiring that bursts into flames at the flip of a switch."

Many times, unsuspecting buyers will purchase a place rife with internal problems that had still been able to pass the bare minimum of a city-conducted inspection. Marvin Goldstein, former president of the American Society of Home Inspectors, recalls a home that had been able to pass city inspection "even though it had no toilets."

"There was $75,000 worth of work needed," said Goldstein. Maryland cities such as Baltimore are littered with houses that, while technically qualified for live-in use, lack some very important amenities that would require significant out-of-pocket expenses. Older homes especially are prone to structural failings.

Home inspection contractors can also check your house for opportunities to make energy efficiency upgrades, which would save tenants a ton of money in utility costs. 

Maryland residents are encouraged to have their property undergo a home inspection to save themselves worse, and more expensive, headaches in the future.