Admin

House Inspection?

By
Real Estate Agent with Century 21 Coastal Realty Ltd.

Time to buy a new car.   Oh boy, you look through the paper and decide on a couple, go and look at them and yes, you found one.   It sounds great and the private seller is telling you its great.   Do you believe him and just buy it?   It is buyer beware so most people want to take the car and have it checked out by a "good" mechanic.   It's worth the money because you don't want to buy a lemon and you don't want to get stuck with HUNDREDS of dollars in repairs.

Its a great year - now its time to buy a house.   You work with a Realtor and eventually find the perfect house for your family.   It looks great and the seller has said there are no problems.   Still, your Realtor advises you to get a home inspection.   "Well, okay, I guess so but I am already spending so much money so who's the cheapest?"   WRONG QUESTION.   Don't cheap out on this very important step in your purchase.   You want the best home inspection possible not the cheapest.   A house can be made to look great with a little paint and new carpets and maybe a little home staging but whats underneath the hood?  An unscrupulous Seller is not going to disclose if the house was a former grow-op or if it was a quick fix-up without regard for building codes.   This purchase could cost you TENS OF THOUSANDS of dollars if you buy a "lemon".   

Why do people understand the need for a "good" mechanic to inspect a car to prevent them from spending HUNDREDS of dollars in repairs but they fail to see the need for a really "good" house inspection that could save them from TENS OF THOUSANDS in repairs?   Maybe it is simply that they don't understand that there are "good" and "bad" house inspectors just as there are good and bad mechanics.  

Just like with mechanics, price is not the determining factor in selecting a home inspector.  A Buyer should do their own research and not hire someone merely because they quote the lowest price or because they are a relative or a friend of a friend. Hire them because they come well recommended, have the proper tools and equipment and credentials of the profession.

Ask what kind of experience they have and ask for references. Get as many as possible from the inspector and call them all. Ask if you can follow them around during the inspection? How long will the inspection take?   The answer to that should be at least a couple of hours.   A good inspector will encourage you to take part and will clearly communicate any serious problems.

If there are any significant problems found and you still wish to proceed with the purchase despite them, often your Realtor can negotiate an adjustment to the purchase price to compensate or the sellers may agree to resolve any problems before closing.   

Bottom line, a good house inspection can save you money or at the very least, buy you peace of mind.   Either way, its worth every penny.  

 

 

Posted by

I will do what it takes to earn your trust.  I am not just looking for "a deal", I am looking for lifelong clients who will use me for all their real estate needs for years to come and wouldn't hesitate in recommending me to family and friends.  Give me a call if you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Delta, Surrey, White Rock or Langley, BC.  

Diane Friesen
Century 21 Coastal Realty Ltd.
Realtor in Delta, Surrey, White Rock and Langley, BC
(604) 866-5944
www.OnlyYourNeighbourhood.ca

Show All Comments Sort:
Lesley Wagstaff
Re/Max Results Realty in Vancouver, BC - Coquitlam, BC
For Real Estate and Mortgages

Inspectors also give you a plan as to issues you will have to deal with over the years.  You may have to replace the roof in 5 years or so, better to start planning now, than when the buckets are catching the water.  Inspectors are one of the best investment you make in your home purchasing decision.  Great Post.

Sep 09, 2010 07:26 PM
Dan Edward Phillips
Dan Edward Phillips, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, CA - Eureka, CA
Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, CA

Hi Diane, good input for the home buyer on home inspections.

Sep 09, 2010 09:07 PM
Carol Zingone
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty - Jacksonville Beach, FL
Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS

My standard is for every buyer to have full inspections, so they know what they are getting into.

Sep 09, 2010 11:54 PM