Should I ask for an inspection before I make an offer?

You can pay to have a property inspected before you make an offer, and this may in fact be advisable for a property in poor or questionable
condition.  In most cases, however, you can protect yourself by
including an inspection contingency in your purchase contract. In a hot market, you may want to have a pre-sale inspection so you can make an offer without an inspection contingency.  But pre-sale inspections are often done hastily and under pressure, leaving no time to complete
additional recommended inspections before offers are presented.  In a few cases, buyers and sellers have ended up in court over property problems that developed after closing.  Ask yourself whether you are prepared to take that risk.

How quickly must we get the house inspected?

Because an unsatisfactory inspection can kill a deal, most sellers want buyers to complete their inspections as quickly as possible, usually within seven to 14 days after the contract is accepted.  If you are buying in a hot market, call an inspector as soon as possible so you can meet your deadline (you may want to line up an inspector to be on call for you before you start looking).  Most inspections take several hours to complete.

Who is responsible for defects uncovered during a home
inspection?

It depends on the laws in your state.  State laws vary considerably
regarding a seller's responsibility for defects uncovered during
inspections.  Increasingly more states have seller disclosure
requirements, but many do not.  Take the time to understand your state's disclosure laws before you make an offer on any property.  Also, responsibility for defects can be spelled out in the terms of the
purchase contract. 

If a property were sold "as is," for example, dealing with defects would be the buyer's responsibility because the property is being sold in its present condition.  If you are considering such a property, be wary or insist on an inspection contingency that would release you from the purchase if a thorough inspection turns up an unacceptable defect.  Be sure any contract you sign includes terms for dealing with defects--or be prepared to take legal action.