44% of millenials who bought a home had buyer remorse because they did not like a certain aspect of the home they bought according to a 2018 study.
A good inspection report gives you the good, the bad and the ugly on a house. This should form the basis of your purchases decision. That aside, you can use your inspection report to negotiate and get a price reduction.
However, home inspectors don’t tell you everything. Read on to find out some of the secrets that might be kept from you.
1. Your Houses Issues Are Merely Money Making Ventures for Home Inspectors
Many home inspectors started out as general contractors or currently do some contracting work on the side. This is a clear conflict of interest.
It’s not uncommon for a contractor to offer their repair services to the myriad of ‘problems’ they discover in an inspection. Or even to redirect a buyer to an entirely different house in which they have an interest.
The ASHI code of conduct blocks inspectors from doing contracting work in a house they have inspected within 12 months of its last inspection.
To protect your interest,do your research before hiring an inspector.
You may also ask for recommendations from contractors you trust. In the same breath, stay away from inspectors who offer you discounts if you go with their chosen contractors.
2. Inspectors Looking out for House Agent’s Interests
Agent recommended inspectors have a conflict of interest as well. Your agent has given them business, so they might feel indebted to them.
This debt might be paid off by the inspector letting some concerns slide.
3. It Should Take at Least Three Hours
If an inspection takes less than three hours, you might be getting a raw deal. A thorough inspection that checks most areas plus the roof of the house takes about three to four hours to complete.
On older houses, it takes more time. Anything less than this and you’re getting a rushed job.
4. New Is Not the Same as Perfect
A new construction is unlikely to have the same issues as an old house, but this does not mean that new houses are anywhere near perfect.
Most buildings will have several contractors or subcontractors working on their different components. This increases the likelihood of faulty components and installations.
A good inspector will do a thorough job, and not try to sell you on the idea that new means perfect.
5. Tag Along
Some people might not care to be present during the actual home inspection. While your inspector is unlikely to fall over himself trying to get you to be present for the inspection, you probably should be there.
You will learn a lot about the home and you get to see if there are problems and just how bad the problems actually are. This is also the time to get more information on problems you might have noticed before.
6. Keep Your Distance
Your inspector will probably not say this to avoid offending you.
However, in as much as you should be present at the inspection, this does not mean breathing down the inspector’s neck.
Give them some space to maneuver and do their work. The same goes for questions. It’s understandable that you have hundreds of questions.
However, having the inspector explain every little detail as they do the inspection is distracting to them.
Instead, note down all your concerns as you go through the house and bring them up after the inspection.
7. Do Not Buy This House
An inspector will not tell you not to buy a house. At least not explicitly.
If your inspector mentions that the house has a lot of issues or that it has some major problems, take the information seriously.
Also, observe their body language. Some information your inspector may be itching to tell you would be in violation of Fair Housing Laws.
For this reason, do some background research on other issues affecting your decision such as the crime stats of the neighborhood.
Also, find out the financial standing of other homeowners in the area as well as the majority ethnic background of the residents.
8. What Qualifications?
Not all states in America have laws regulating house inspectors. If your state is not among this, due diligence becomes all the more important.
Bodies like ASHI and NAHI (National Association of House Inspectors) require their members to meet certain standards of ethics and practice.
Insisting on a certified inspector might not protect you from a bad one, but it gives you an avenue to air your grievances should you have problems with them.
9. Request for a Sample Report
A sample report tells you more of the kind of an inspector one is.
From the report, check how detailed it is and if it includes photos and images of what came up during the inspection.
Are the issues to be fixed outlined clearly and do they include repair costs? An inspector’s thoroughness tells you a lot about the kind of job they are likely to do for you.
10. “I Can’t See Into the Future”
Your inspector can only see the house as it is. On some issues, they can be able to make predictions but they can’t foresee everything.
Apart from projections based on the condition of the house, they cannot predict the future state of the house.
Similarly, your inspector is not able to tell you whether the price you’re getting on the house is fair. Their job is to tell you about the condition of the house and let you make the final decision.
Why Is This Important?
It is important to be keen on the information your home inspector gives to you and what remains unsaid.
Some information that is not documented or vocalized by home inspectors can go a long way in helping you make your decisions, prod further and look out for your best interests.
Do you find the whole idea of home inspections overwhelming? Contact us at Class Home Inspection and speak with our ASHI Associate Home Inspector concerning any of your concerns.