Make sure your home inspection goes smoothly and avoid common red flags by doing your research and using a quality inspector.
As the real estate market has skyrocketed in recent months, many homeowners have experienced the process of selling their homes and the difficulties that are sometimes associated with conducting home inspections.
“Home inspections are a critical part of the home sale process, and it is important that they are done correctly every time,” said Adam Long, HomeTeam Inspection Service President. “There are plenty of independent home inspectors and, while they may be licensed, there is no company standard to uphold. HomeTeam inspectors provide a seamless service and the peace of mind that everyone involved — buyer, seller and agents — will not have to worry about the inspection being done according to standards of practice.”
Here are some of the red flags to look out for both before and during an inspection and the things you can do to avoid them.
Some Inspectors Are Less Than Thorough
Not all inspectors are conscientious. In some cases, inspectors may try to cut corners to save time or ignore issues in an effort to appease a real estate agent or seller.
Regardless of the motivation, home inspectors are meant to be neutral third parties. To ensure an inspector will be thorough and complete the inspection to the best of their abilities, it may be helpful for buyers to review sample reports prior to hiring the inspector. Many inspectors will publish these reports online to give potential clients an idea of what to expect, and recognizing potential shortcomings prior to engaging in that business relationship may save a lot of time and money in the long run.
Further, the roof is often overlooked in home inspections. Weather conditions and safety permitting, an inspector should try to walk on the roof to inspect its integrity. Some things like shingle damage and chimney issues cannot be identified or fully evaluated through binoculars.
On the flip side, “Inspectors shouldn’t be alarmists,” Long explained. “This can manifest in nitpicking — focusing on things like cosmetic items such as carpeting and paint that are not part of the scope of a home inspection — or exaggeration, where an inspector will see something that can be easily remediated but make a bigger deal out of the issue than necessary… The point of an inspection is not to negate the sale, it’s so everyone understands the state of the home before the sale takes place.”
“I Don’t Give Real Estate Advice”
Inspectors may say something along the lines of, “I won’t tell you whether to buy the house or not. I don’t give real estate advice.”
While this is perfectly valid — the inspector is not your agent — it should not be used as an excuse to avoid questions altogether.
Though an inspector may prefer to save questions for after their inspection is complete in order to remain fully focused, they should not be entirely unwilling to answer questions. A home inspection is meant to provide potential buyers a better idea of what they would be purchasing and the energy and financial efforts the home may require. An inspection report is far less useful to someone who cannot understand it. Whether they answer questions as they go or do a walk through of the home after the inspection, home inspectors should be willing and able to discuss their inspection and conclusions with potential buyers.
Inspectors Should Demonstrate Professional Conduct
One of the most foundational things a home inspector should do is to leave the home the way they found it. “Inspectors should not leave the thermostat at a different temperature, leave doors open, lights on or breakers off,” Long explained. “And they should make sure there is proper communication and safety standards. Showing up in professional attire and a branded vehicle puts everyone at ease.”
Home inspectors are hired for a reason, and they should not allow any outside forces to sway their work or intentions.
Some inspectors will allow sellers to follow along for each step of the inspection. While this is not inherently bad, inspectors should be aware that some sellers may become defensive about any issues that are identified. This is their home, and they love it. They are also looking to present it in a positive light to close the deal. This is all understandable, but if such behavior begins and the inspector does not know how to address it or continue the inspection without incident, this can become problematic, potentially leading to missed issues or an incomplete report.
Avoid These Red Flags for a Quality Home Inspection
Though there are steps that can be taken prior to booking the inspection and while the inspection is happening, one of the best ways to ensure a high-quality, professional home inspection is to utilize professional inspectors.
“Some states don’t require licenses, so homeowners should be on the lookout that inspectors are certified or have sufficient training,” Long said. “Do they have proper insurance in place to cover errors, omissions and general liabilities?”
Not only are the inspectors who work for professional home inspection companies licensed, they may belong to professional associations, and there is an established network standing behind them, offering years of experience and gold-standard conduct.
