When it comes to real estate, there's no such thing as seeking too much advice. Whether you're buying a new home or adding to your property portfolio, gaining advice is an important part of the process. Getting the help of a good agent is a smart place to begin, but sometimes you need a little something extra to ensure you're making smart choices. This is where home inspectors come in.
Before going into the various ways of finding a good home inspector, let's take a look at what it is they do.
The role of a home inspector – and their value to you – can be split into two areas. Their first job is to assess the state of a property. Their second task is to assess the property's value.
The specifics of their first job will depend on the type of property being assessed. Ultimately, a home inspector will be able to spot red flags which may be less obvious, things such as subsidence or hidden damp issues. They'll also be able to raise environmental concerns, such as changes which may be likely to happen in the surrounding area.
The opinion of an expert home inspector can also help you with the buying process. Their valuation can either enable you spot a bargain, or prevent you from overpaying for a property with a too high asking price. The bottom line is this: what do home inspectors do? They help you make a smart purchase.
Not all inspectors are alike and it's important to find a good home inspector who's suited to your project. The most important factor here is matching an inspector to a property. While all home inspectors will have a general understanding of real estate, particular properties sometimes call for specialist knowledge. If you're buying a commercial property, for example, or a period home, it could be worth finding a good home inspector experienced in that particular area. Remember though, you can always find a tradesman to follow up on the comments of your home inspector for added peace of mind.
It's not just the property you'll want to match your home inspector to, it also pays to get on with the person carrying out the inspection. Set up interviews with several home inspectors and ask them some key questions pertaining to the property in question.
The quest to find a home inspector will also come down to how they present their findings to you; it could therefore be worth asking to see some sample reports to get a feel for their working method. After all, what use is finding a good home inspector if they aren't able to effectively communicate their efforts?
Finding a good home inspector can be the difference between a good purchase and a bad one. Not only will they help to identify an attractive property, but they can also help you get it at the right price. In some cases, you may choose to bring in a professional real estate agent to help you with the property valuation process.
