We think wild thoughts, we sell real estate.  We were thinking, “what if our industry had a recall”?  Now we’re not making light of the Toyota recall, this is a serious life and death issue but how would our real estate industry handle a similar event?  Well we do, every time we sell a property!  That event is the ‘Home Inspection’.

One of the most critical things a prospective buyer should do is to engage the services of a reputable, proven home inspector.  They are listed everywhere, on-line, yellow pages, ads and brochures.  One of the more trusted methods of finding a great home inspector is to ask friends and family who have recently used the services of a home inspector.  Another source is to ask your real estate broker for some names.  Generally a real estate broker is reluctant to direct you to a specific home inspector for fear of directing the sale.  On the other hand, your real estate broker has had multiple occasions to sort the mediocre from the genuinely good home inspectors.  Providing you with several names culled from years of experience should narrow the field considerably for you.

Before deciding on a home inspector, take the time to speak with that person (not the secretary that pencils the appointment).  It is specifically the way the home inspector can speak to a potential buyer along with his or her credibility that should be the deciding factor.  Such questions as, “how long will the inspection last”, “what type of a report do you generate”, “when will you deliver the report for me to review”, “will you be available after the home inspection for further clarification”, “will you allow me to shadow you during the inspection process”, “how long have you been a home inspector”, “what credentials or jobs have you held to make you an expert in this field”, should be asked prior to your hire of a home inspector.  As a fairly prudent person, we feel a 10 minute call gives us a pretty good idea on our comfort level making a decision.

Make sure you are present for the inspection process.  Wear your play clothes and get into the nooks and crannies of the house along with the home inspector---roof and ladders excluded!  Be sure to locate water mains, the emergency heat switch, electrical main and sub panels as you may need to know these locations at a moment’s notice some day.  Make sure you pop your head into an attic scuttle or crawl space.  And most importantly, ASK QUESTIONS! 

A home inspection’s primary purpose is to reveal the limitations and areas of the home that need addressing.  A good home inspector should clearly itemize items these areas and indicate in order of priority for you to address when you own the home.  Unless you are purchasing a new home, expect the home inspector to discover some areas needing attention and repair.  Have reasonable expectations, every home has some on-going repair or maintenance.  To enjoy your new home fully, this is the best safeguard against a recall!  

Visit The Goodwin Realty Group Website!