Tips for a Successful Home Inspection

Colin McPartland understands what a proper home inspection process should look like. In this article, Colin McPartland sheds some light on the questions that people should be asking in preparation of their home inspection.

Who are you going to use?

Once you’re nearing the process to have a home inspection or pre home inspection conducted, how do you choose a company? Most clients don’t have someone that comes to mind as purchasing a home isn’t something the average person does often. Ask around, talk to your realtor, talk to family and friends that have recently purchase a home, do your research with these recommendations. It’s always best practice to find someone that you are comfortable working with and trust.

Are you prepared?

It’s important to ensure you’re dedicating enough for the home inspection (usually around 2 hours for the average home). Colin McPartland notes that this is your chance to learn about all the ends and outs of your potential new home, treat it as an educational session and be involved. Prior to the home inspection, bring any notes and/or concerns you had during the initial walk through of the home with your realtor. Did anything stand out that you wanted more in-depth information? Make sure you have a list prepped to cover with the home inspector.

Do you have questions ready?

Colin McPartland always encourages his client to “attach themselves to the inspector’s hip”, that may sound overbearing and intrusive, but remember, you’re hiring the home inspector, they are your client and doing you a service. Use the notes you created in the prep process and inquiry as to what the inspector is observing; home inspectors are professionals and a wealth of knowledge, take advantage of having them in your potential new home. Be involved, be engaged, and don’t hold back, this will be one of the few opportunities you have to learn about the home from top to bottom.

In many cases, the clients aren’t buying new construction, but rather an existing home that may be over 100 years old, and that’s okay. Bottom line, the inspection isn’t going to be perfect, and the inspector will find issues with the home; often reports could range from 40 to 60 pages of notes and feedback, that can be a good thing. If the deficiencies of the home aren’t deal breakers, think of the reports as any opportunity of what the next steps are for home maintenance. Many times, inspectors will lay out what needs to be addressed by a professional and what could be DIY projects by the new homeowner; break down what you can handle and when you want to hire a pro to tackle the project.

Do you know how to leverage the report?

Once the inspection is completed and the report has been delivered, it’s time to establish the next move. If you’re satisfied with the report, still want to purchase the home, but also feel the appropriate action is to ask for repairs or closing costs, it’s time to make a list of what you want addressed. Your realtor can help you with what is and isn’t important to ask for; also help you understand the risk of each request. From there, it’s up to the seller to respond; they may fix the issues, credit the buyer with closing costs, or opt to do nothing. Hopefully it works in your favor.

If the seller agrees to do the repairs, it is best practice to get proof of the work. For one, you’ll have documentation that the work was completed by a professional and the issue was addressed. Also, down the road, you’ll have a contact to reference in the event future work needs to be done. Thinking “down the road” when it’s time to sell the home, you’ll have those documents on hand for the next buyer if any questions arise in regards to the integrity of the home.