Don" t Take A Chance, Inspect The Home
The real estate people, want their buyers to include a clause for home inspection in their purchase offer. This way, the agents show that they are concerned about their buyers. A few sellers at times forget to mention the flaws or are themselves not aware that there are any which they otherwise are supposed to disclose to the buyers. The buyers' sense of security and the sellers' sense of honesty are taken care of by the professional inspectors.
It is very easy to acquire professional home inspection skills. The home inspectors are regulated only in the states of California, Texas, Oregon and Minnesota. It is therefore, very easy to become one. Many of the home inspectors get the work through the references of the real estate agents. Some inspectors often overlook the flaws that can be hurdles in the selling process.
Repeat agent referrals are not given to the tuff home inspectors. A person who knows about home construction should only be chosen by the buyer. Outstanding inspectors comprise of retired contractors and those related with the home building industry. Ferreting out all the defects in the interest of the buyer is not the objective of the inspectors that are referenced by the real estate agents.
To avoid any problems you must inquire the inspector for his professional credentials. You would find that most of them are willing to share their experience with you. If an inspector is a member of some professional home inspection association it forms a good reference. One association that stands out from the rest is The American Society of Home Inspectors. Members of ASHI have to pass exams and perform supervised home inspections.
The buyer and the seller, both should be present at the time of inspection. The buyer after his purchase offer has been accepted and the inspector properly finalized, should go with the inspector. All the conflicts can be avoided if the seller/agent also abides by the same. The seller will have no choice but to pay for the discovered defect if it is serious in nature.
Upon the discovery of a defect, it falls upon the inspector to discuss it with the buyer and often provide a repair cost estimate. One word of warning is that if the inspector is also in the repair business, there would be a conflict of interest. The other problem is that the buyers often ask the inspectors to create nonexistent defects.
You should not expect the inspector to have the knowledge of everything. The flaw of home inspection is that the inspector cannot be an expert in everything. Because of this, if an inspector discovers a possible defect like an older roof might require replacement, so the inspection report might have something like, the roof looks to be in fair condition but you should consult a roof inspector for it.
A lot more than what is there in the report, can be known by the buyer if he is present at the time of inspection. It is quite likely that the report at times would contain weasel words that forgive the inspector for an inaccuracy or an error. If the inspector misses out on mentioning a very serious defect then, he can be held responsible for the payment of the expenses of repair.
The buyers should ensure that they receive their money's worth as this is what is the trend these days. A good ASHI member can be hired for a proper inspection with a written checklist report at the cost of $200 to $400.
If any items in the report or otherwise appear vague or ambiguous to the buyer, he/she shouldn't hesitate to question the inspector regarding the same.
It is very easy to acquire professional home inspection skills. The home inspectors are regulated only in the states of California, Texas, Oregon and Minnesota. It is therefore, very easy to become one. Many of the home inspectors get the work through the references of the real estate agents. Some inspectors often overlook the flaws that can be hurdles in the selling process.
Repeat agent referrals are not given to the tuff home inspectors. A person who knows about home construction should only be chosen by the buyer. Outstanding inspectors comprise of retired contractors and those related with the home building industry. Ferreting out all the defects in the interest of the buyer is not the objective of the inspectors that are referenced by the real estate agents.
To avoid any problems you must inquire the inspector for his professional credentials. You would find that most of them are willing to share their experience with you. If an inspector is a member of some professional home inspection association it forms a good reference. One association that stands out from the rest is The American Society of Home Inspectors. Members of ASHI have to pass exams and perform supervised home inspections.
The buyer and the seller, both should be present at the time of inspection. The buyer after his purchase offer has been accepted and the inspector properly finalized, should go with the inspector. All the conflicts can be avoided if the seller/agent also abides by the same. The seller will have no choice but to pay for the discovered defect if it is serious in nature.
Upon the discovery of a defect, it falls upon the inspector to discuss it with the buyer and often provide a repair cost estimate. One word of warning is that if the inspector is also in the repair business, there would be a conflict of interest. The other problem is that the buyers often ask the inspectors to create nonexistent defects.
You should not expect the inspector to have the knowledge of everything. The flaw of home inspection is that the inspector cannot be an expert in everything. Because of this, if an inspector discovers a possible defect like an older roof might require replacement, so the inspection report might have something like, the roof looks to be in fair condition but you should consult a roof inspector for it.
A lot more than what is there in the report, can be known by the buyer if he is present at the time of inspection. It is quite likely that the report at times would contain weasel words that forgive the inspector for an inaccuracy or an error. If the inspector misses out on mentioning a very serious defect then, he can be held responsible for the payment of the expenses of repair.
The buyers should ensure that they receive their money's worth as this is what is the trend these days. A good ASHI member can be hired for a proper inspection with a written checklist report at the cost of $200 to $400.
If any items in the report or otherwise appear vague or ambiguous to the buyer, he/she shouldn't hesitate to question the inspector regarding the same.
