5 questions to ask your home inspector
- 1. 5 Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector
- 2. 1.How bad is it - really? The best home inspectors are pretty even keeled, emotionally speaking. Theyre not alarmists that blow little things up into big ones, nor do they try to play down the importance of things. Theyre all about the facts. But sometimes, that straightforwardness makes it hard for you, the home buyer, to understand whats a big deal and what isnt so much.
- 3. 2. Who should fix that? I always ask this question of home inspectors, with dual motives. First, very often, the inspectors response is - What do you mean? You dont need to pay someone to fix that. Go down to Home Depot, pick up a ___fill in the blank__, and heres how you pop it in. Should cost you $15 - tops. And thats useful information to know - it eliminates the horror of a laundry list of repairs and maintenance items at the end of an inspection report to know that a number of them are really DIY-type maintenance items. Even buyers who are really uncomfortable doing these things themselves then feel empowered to either (a) watch a few YouTube vids that show them how its done, or (b) hire a handyperson to do these small fixes, knowing they shouldnt be too terribly costly.
- 4. 3. If this was your house, what would you fix, and when? Your home inspectors job is to point out everything, within the scope of the inspection, that might need repair, replacement, maintenance or further inspection or seems like it might be on its last legs. But they also tend to be experienced enough with homes to know that no home is perfect. Many times, Ive asked this question about an item the inspector described as at the end of its serviceable lifetime and had them say, I wouldnt do a thing to it. Just know that it could break in the next 5 months, or in the next 5 years. And keep your home warranty in effect, because that should cover it when it does break.
- 5. 4. Can you point that out to me? Often, when you attend the home inspection, youll be multi- tasking, taking pictures of the interior, measuring for drapes or furniture, even meeting the neighbors, or fielding several inspectors at a time. Worst case scenario is to get home, open up the inspectors report and have no clue whatsoever what he or she was referring to when they called out the wax ring that needs replacement or the temperature-pressure release valve that is improperly installed.
- 6. 5. Can you show me how to work that? Many home inspectors are delighted to show you how to operate various mechanical or other systems in your home, and will walk you through the steps of operating everything from your thermostat, to your water heater, to your stove and dishwasher - and especially the emergency shutoffs for your gas, water and electrical utilities. This one single item is such a time and stress saver it alone is worth the lost income of missing a day of work to attend your inspections.
- 7. What do you wish the home inspector would have pointed out to you at your home inspection?
- 8. Randy Bett Investment Realtor/Author/Investor Real Estate Professionals Inc. Better Group Real Estate 202-5403 Crowchild Trail NW Calgary, AB T3B 4Z1 Phone:403-774-7464 Ext:1 Fax:403-208-0082 Toll Free fax:888-711-6801