A Home Inspectors job is not an easy job. He inspects what is working , not working and how to maintain the home . Not to alarm the buyer or speculate .Mr Home Inspector the buyers are buying a used home. They are not buying a brand new home .
The buyers agent should accompany the buyer to the Home Inspection.This would clear up any questions the buyer may have at the time of the inspection. It Certainly makes the buyer feel more comfortable . Home Inspections are written up in a way that if the agent has not attend the Home Inspection there is no way on this earth that an agent would completely understand what everything means in a written Home Inspection Report.Therefore they would not be able to explain negotiate it w/the sellers agent or clearly understand it themselves when going over it with the buyer or avoid issues and maintain balance in the the transaction.
Hopefully we as agents have given the buyer a list of approved reputable Home Inspectors. The agent sat down with the buyer and explained the purpose of the Home Inspection. The inspection is to find out what systems are working and what systems are not. How they work and how they are to be maintained .It is not for cosmetic purposes or to find out what things may need to be replaced sometime in the next 1-10 years. What may need to be replace is part of home ownership .It is certainly not the time to renegotiate the price of the house .
A good Home Inspector will go through the home . He/she will show you the buyer how each system works and how to maintain the system and keep the systems in good working order.What seasonal maintenance work should also be preformed .This is important especially for first time home buyers who have never owned a home before.This is the objective.
The buyer is under stress and sometimes unsure that he/or she has made the right decision. After all how many times in you life do you make a purchase involving that much money? Put yourself in debt with a mortgage payment every month. A smart Home Inspector explains to the buyer that they are buying a used home . There are no guarantee's even new systems can break down . Mr Home Inspector puts the Buyer at ease.
Maintaining systems are so important you can have a 30 year old heater /AC that has had been cleaned
and filters changed every month vs a 8 yr old system never cleaned filters never changed who is to say which one will last longer ...Mr Home Inspector really does not know and can't say for sure and should not speculate.
Please if it working at time of Home Inspection do not alarm the buyer it works ..maintain it.It may last many more years or it may have to be replaced sometime in the future. That is part of home ownership ... When it breaks you need to fix or repair it ..Don't panic! Explain what the problem is and what it will take to fix it....
Congratulations and Good Luck with Your New Home
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Having just gone through a home inspection on a brand new home this morning, even buying a new home could panic someone who didn't have a true professional when it comes to home inspections. There was a list of items that needed correction, but the delivery of the information to the Buyer was key. It was not all about panic. It was with the attitude of, "There is no such thing as a perfect home. So here's the list of needed repairs and other areas to keep an eye on."
Hannah, excellent post. All of my clients attend their inspections and I am there also. If the seller's agent is there I will advise the inspector to be mindful of not compromising their client nor to no engage the other agent, It's not their time it's the buyers' time.
Chris. The true professional Home Inspector reassures the buyer there is no such thing as a perfect home .I agree it is the delivery of the information .Thank You for all your help with putting this post together .
Ed A Buyers agent is so helpful at a Home inspection .It makes the buyer feel comfortable and if the sellers agent is there less compromised. Thank You Ed
Hi Hannah, Great post! I'd also add that a home inspection is a snapshot of the home on the day of the inspection. Also, a good inspector is available after the inspection to answer any questions the Buyer or Agents might have. I've always disagreed with useful life expectancy on an inspection report, for the reasons you state. ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) used to require it on all inspections. I don't know if they still do, but I don't think so. That's one of the main reasons why I've never belonged to ASHI. Have a great holiday weekend, jay
Jay .. You have added an excellent point about informing the buyer the inspector is always available to them even after the inspection to answer questions and concerns. I had a buyer who had a leak after the sale while renovations were being done ..The buyer called the Home Inspector he came out found the leak it was a pin hole in a pipe behind the wall ..Buyer called a plumber lots of time and $$ were saved ...
Thank you and Have a Great Holiday Week End
Hannah
We as agents owe our duty to the buyers to recommend they get the home inspected. But we also need to prepare the buyer as to what the purpose is (to find out what they are buying) and not to use it purely as a tool to renegotiate.
A home inspection is not about alarming the buyer but assisting them in making an informed decision about the property they are buying. No home is perfect but understanding what to look for and what to expect over time is what a good home inspector will add to the home buying process.
Erica..Right! it is not a tool to renegotiate the price of the house . Hopefully we as agents have prepared our buyers in advance and explained the purpose of the Home Inspection. It also will give them tips on how to maintain there home in the future . The Rain Goddesses felt this was an important point .Thank you Erica
Cindy .. No home is perfect .How important is that statement? You can always find something to be fixed . There are no guarantees ;but the buyer wants to be sure that everything is in good working order and know how to maintain the systems to insure that it stays that way. A good Home Inspector can put the buyer at ease. After theInspection feel that he has made a wise purchase. Thank you Cindy
It is important for buyers to be educated in the home they are purchasing, whether they find out it needs a new roof to learning how to bleed the radiators. This is a major purchase and by getting a home inspection it allows them to make an educated decision based on what they are comfortable with in items pointed out in the inspection, not to have the buyer discount the home because of the findings.
Great Post!!!
Hannah, the home inspector's role is so vital to get that good overview.
Hannah
Outstanding post on finding a home inspector.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Cherie. It is important that the Home Inspector point out these items and make the buyer comfortable with one of the major purchases of their lives . How many times in our lives do we actually buy a home . Thank you Cherie
Gary Yes a Home inspector's role is vital to get an overview of what is working and also how to maintain the systems in the home .Also as Jay pointed out to also be able to call him in the future with any questions .:0)
Lou.. Thank you. We all want to have a successful Home Inspection with happy Buyers and Sellers
Good stuff Hannah! Thanks for shedding some light on my industry.
Darin Redding
Housecall Property Inspections
Hannah,
What a great tribute to great people - women in the RAIN and Home Inspectors too. Why, if I had a choice between having a maid or a home inspector - I'd choose the home inspector.
A definite suggest!!! You Rock!
Darin.. When Home Inspectors do not take offense I guess I have been successful..Thank you Darin
Patricia Thank you for your wonderful comment.The Home Inspectors role in the selling process is so important .Our buyers have just made a major purchase and need to feel confident that they have made the right decision. We need someone who will not alarm the buyer ,keep balance ,be objective,and not speculate.
Have a great 4th of July Weekend
Hannah, I feel the home inspection is the "getting to know you" time for the buyers and their new house. With luck, they'll like it better by the end of the inspection. With less luck, they might now, and possibly for good reason. Inspectors sometimes feel like they have to walk a fine line, and I think that a few are overly concerned about not getting a reputation for being "one of those". I personally think they should clone Jay Markanich.
Hannah - A wonderful post. I too always attend any inspections on homes that I sell. I would'nt miss it for anything. I also learn a lot when I go so it's all good. Great post and am suggesting. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday as well.
Pat.. Yes some do not have a good reputation .That is why it is important that we as agents give the buyers a list of reputable Home Inspectors . Some just cover themselves and are what one coulds say as self serving .Years ago there was a home inspector that had a rep for shooting down 3 homes knowing that the buyer would continue to call him back each time .. Agents would Grinch every-time they heard his name ...
Jay Markanich? I guess we all have a favorite Home Inspector.. Thank you Pat ..Hope all is well and our deepest sympathy for the passing of you Mother
Bob.. I to learn from going to the Home Inspections. Everytime I attend one i learn something new .I agree would not miss a Home Inspection. I would not send a Buyer to view the Home without me how could I send him to the Home Inspection without me being there .It is all part of the home buying process.
Thank you Bob
Have a Wonderful 4th of July Holiday Weekend