Special offer

What You Need in a Home Inspector

By
Home Inspector with Complete Home Inspections, Inc. TN Lic#050

     Home inspectors come in all shapes and sizes and they are all over the map when it comes to the quality of inspections and reports. There are those who want to appease the agent because they know that satisfied agents will keep feeding them business. The downside of that scenario is that soon after the folks move into their new home and problems start showing up, the agent’s phone is ringing and they are called on the carpet.
    Then there are those who are picky, picky, picky. The scrutinize EVERYTHING!!! Potential home buyers love them as they feel they have their best interest at heart and they want everything fixed as if they were purchasing a new home. Agent’s hate them! They make the transaction more difficult than what is has to be and they impose unrealistic expectations. No house is perfect! Never will be. And, they have the propensity to scare you so that you will NEVER, EVER, consider purchasing a home. Is that what you really want?
    Then there are the realists. They understand that properties are what they are. Nothing built my man is. perfect. There will be areas that need to be improved upon and there will be areas that will need routine maintenance.
    When choosing a home inspector, there are several things to consider:
        How long have they been in business? The longer the better.
        Do they take a realistic approach to their craft?
        Will they take the time to help you understand what you are                              purchasing?  i.e. what is good? What needs to be improved?
     These are signs of a well-rounded, competent professional that has everyone’s interest at heart. When it comes to home inspectors, do your homework. Call around. You want someone who will work for you and keep things in perspective.

It is a great day at Complete Home Inspections!

Posted by

Complete Home Inspections, Brentwood TN 615.661.0297
 

Comments (11)

Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

The home inspector is to observe, report and inform.  If the buyer comes away with an understanding of what is being purchased, a whole lot has been accomplished.

Jul 02, 2015 09:16 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Michael extremes in anything is rarely never good.  A balanced approach is what usually works best.

Jul 02, 2015 09:26 AM
Larry Brewer - Benchmark Realty llc
Benchmark Realty LLc - Nashville, TN

I doubt if you could convince a typical buyer that a home inspection is detailed enough, but I try my best to convince them to look at the big picture, not the fine print. Sometimes I win, and sometimes I don't.

Jul 02, 2015 09:35 AM
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

Michael Thornton,  If I were a REALTOR in your area, you would be my home inspector of choice.

Jul 02, 2015 10:09 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

I have to be at a home inspection on SUnday....never had one on a SUnday. But, not looking forward to this one as the couple will be watching and standing over the inspector.

Jul 02, 2015 11:39 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Michael I find a good home inspector is that identifies everything that is wrong with the house and puts a priority on what needs first to be done....does not scare the daylights out of the buyers.... after all he is a home inspector not a Broadway Performer:))) Happy 4th, Endre

Jul 02, 2015 11:45 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Michael

It's too everyone's best interest in a real estate transaction . . . . that there is a home inspection.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Jul 02, 2015 11:50 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

We have a few inspectors up here, mostly aggressive, like tigers.  They seem to feel that they have to point pt all that is there, sometimes overstepping themselves as they cite codes.  When I get a report from them I have to settle the sellers and our usual response is along the lines of so what.

Jul 02, 2015 12:07 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Michael. Give it to them straight, there is nothing wrong with that approach. The saying that immediately comes to mind, "It is not what you say, it is how you say what you say".

Jul 02, 2015 06:50 PM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Michael,

I think I have a bit a different perspective on one thing, "Time in the profession". I find this does not always quite relate or equate to quality and knowledge. It is unfortunate in our profession that there are those who have been doing this a very long time and actually very poor at what they do. 

That is my opinion from a very picky inspector ;) 

Jul 03, 2015 01:55 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I vote for the experienced inspector. Many of the new ones come onboard and think they know everything. They start quoting the codes not even knowing what is actually enforced in a particualr area. 

Jul 03, 2015 05:02 AM