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First Time Home Buyers - Trust a Home Inspector

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore

First Time Home Buyers - Trust a Home Inspector

I realize the excitement, putting in an offer on your first home!  After that offer is accepted, PLEASE let the home inspector make the calls!
A Home Inspection - Money Well Spent
Unless your Mom, Dad, brother, sister, cousin or best friend is a licensed home inspector in New Jersey, take their comments about a bad sheetrock taping job or a sloping plant bed and mention those concerns to your home inspector.    

If you, as a buyer, want your Dad or Mom to come in and check out the home that you're buying that's fine.  It's exciting!  But realize, although they're parents, they are not home inspectors.  They might have purchased a few homes, but again they are not experts. 

So tell your parents, brother, sister, cousin or best friend  to take notes when you show them the home you've decided on...Share the seller's disclosure with them and then invite them to the thorough home inspection, where most of their questions will be answered!


Comments (55)

Liane Thomas, Top Listing Agent
Professional Realty Services® - Corona, CA
Bringing you Home!

So true. I have had clients bring in "dad" to do a home inspection. "Dad" is an accountant. When I ask the buyer to sign an inspection waivier they got testy, as in their mind, they HAD a home inspection. Sheesh.

Jan 17, 2013 01:23 AM
Michael Blue
Home Smart Realty West - Encinitas, CA
REALTOR - 760-889-8877, Encinitas/Carlsbad
I love comment #36....in their own minds, huh!
Jan 17, 2013 04:44 AM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Pat & Wayne, thank everyone up there, I haven't experienced a nightmare like that...it offers the question DID YOU CLOSE???

Jonathan I wish that home inspections were mandatory...wait nothing should  be required, but for insurance purposes you're right.

Travis that's how this blog started, my Dad has been there and done that, he's a Carpenter, draws plans to have signed by an architect, but he's said to me after seeing property I wanted to purchase 'why don't you bring these things up to  a home inspector.  Real professionals know their limitations!

Theresa you faced a difficult problem and made a hard call.  When my buyer hires a home inspector I always go...just to raise the questions the others have.!

Jan 17, 2013 06:34 AM
Pat & Wayne Harriman
Harriman Real Estate, LLC (203) 672-4499 - Wallingford, CT
Broker/Owners, Wallingford CT Real Estate

Laura, we did close, and it was one of the most stressful closings we've ever done! The whole transaction was one big PITA!!

Jan 17, 2013 07:07 AM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Bill I can't insist any body do anything...but the great home inspectors I've worked with at the Jersey Shore, get the buyers there if I can't!

Liane- all I can say is woof..and wow!

Michael  I'm glad I'm not 'in their mind'!!

Pat & Wayne...they don't pay us enough for those PITA sales!  Congrats on getting it done!

Jan 17, 2013 07:34 AM
Rafi Footerman
Mid Jersey Inspections - Edison, NJ
Home Inspector, Mold Inspector, Radon and More!

I frequently have friends and family accompany my clients and I welcome them.  Of course, they are fair game to be teased, but even the non-professionals bring a unique perspective.  As a result, the client gets a better education.

Jan 17, 2013 10:43 AM
Karen Steed
Tallapoosa, Bremen, Waco, Buchanan, Temple, Carrollton - Tallapoosa, GA
Associate Broker Haralson Realty

A home inspection can be a very important part of a home purchase.  But even with a home inspection, things can go wrong later, or be missed. 

Jan 17, 2013 12:03 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

How often do I hear "I have a friend who can look at the house?" Or, "I have a relative who's a contractor in XYZ state?" But nothing subsitutes for a top, local inspector who knows the local code and local housing. I keep telling my clients it's cheap insurance for the future. But if they don't use an inspector, I have them sign off on a document saying I recommended they do so. Nothing worse than having them come back to you in the future with house problems trying to say you never told them to get a professional inspection.

Jan 17, 2013 09:48 PM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Rafi, I welcome them too, after explaining to the buyer that a home inspection should answer their questions.

Karen things can be missed, but I feel a home inspection is well worth the money.

Nina - I haven't thought about having them sign a waiver but that's a really good idea...thanks that's going in with my buyer's package!

Jan 17, 2013 10:43 PM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

In fact, bring all those 'relatives' with you so they get a chance to see the home if they want. Never miss the opportunity for a home inspection no matter what a family member might say.

Jan 18, 2013 03:49 AM
Rob Renk
Center Street Lending - McKinney, TX
AE | Fast Fix/Flip Loans for Residential Investors

That should be one of the first steps a new home buyer should take.  they need to find a trustworthy home inspector that can give them an accurate report.

Jan 18, 2013 04:52 AM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Lyn - You're correct, but until you speak to a home inspector don't panic over items brought up by anyone else.

Rob - You nailed it!

Jan 18, 2013 07:39 PM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Laura, we agree.  We cringe when we hear they want to use a relative!

Jan 19, 2013 01:47 AM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Bob we get really good at smiling in this job don't we?

Jan 19, 2013 10:54 PM
S W
Centerville, KS

Home inspections by a qualified, trusted home inspector is so crucial and 1st time buyers especially need to understand the importance of using one. I make it clear that this is not an "expense" when purchasing a home but an "investment" when making such a large purchase...Wouldn't you like to know exactly what you're buying especially if you're spending $150k ??

Jan 20, 2013 11:02 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Excellent advice, Laura!  Home Inspections have become a vital part of real estate transactions, not only for First Time Homebuyers, but most all homebuyers.  We dwell in an era of increased numbers of bank owned properties, with little disclosure.  The money spent on a good home inspection, is well invested.  CONGRATULATIONS on having this blog FEATURED in the Feather Nesters group!

Jan 24, 2013 07:24 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

A quality Home Inspector is something you would not want to pass up on.  First time home buyer or 10th time home buyer.

Jan 25, 2013 04:07 AM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Sean-how right you are!

Myrl, you're are the best! Thank you!

Gene, you are right on the money...small expense to feel comfortable.

Jan 25, 2013 04:22 AM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Gene, you're right, and don't listen to anyone til you get an inspectors opinion!

Jan 25, 2013 06:01 AM
Wayne B. Pruner
Oregon First - Tigard, OR
Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI

Always get a home inspection. It's very important. I get my point across when I ask my Buyers to sign an inspection waiver that states that not getting an inspection is contrary to my advice.

May 15, 2013 12:09 AM