Between the seller, the agents, the lawyers, the mortgage folks, title companies, and everyone else, you may feel like YOUR needs are sliding down the priority list. Take a breath. Try to remember a couple things.
First of all, you’re buying a new home! This is exciting and at the end of the day YOU decide how events transpire. For the most part, everyone involved works for you. It really helps (if only on an emotional level) to remember this. Emotions can come into play so you don’t want to needlessly rock the boat, but if you have a concern, voice it. If you need more time, ask for it. If you feel weird about that last comment made on the phone, call back for clarification. Of course, I’m a home inspector and therefore this type of advice is out of my lane right? Well, that’s true but I also happen to be person who has been through this all a few times and I’m entitled to offer a little personal encouragement from time to time.
Secondly, hire GOOD people. Experience, solid bullet points, reviews, referrals, it’s all important, but so are the intangibles… Is he or she a good listener? Kind? Friendly? Empathetic? How did you feel when you last spoke? I personally know a dozen or more truly fantastic home inspectors, but sadly, in the home inspection industry (like many others) It can be a mixed bag. You may have that inspector who is good, but rushed – trying to squeeze in 3 or 4 inspections in a day. You might meet an inspector that feels beholden to their realtor friends and is ok writing a sort of soft, or simplistic report to help move the sale along and get the next referral. Then there’s the guy that found an online home inspection school promising big money as an inspector. He managed to get that license, but he’s got very little understanding of what to do or how to behave at an inspection. These days you’ll also find the well-oiled, franchise machine with great office staff and 10 inspectors. When several inspectors show up at the property you start wondering which inspector is the veteran, which is the trainee and whether the lady that inspected the attic communicated with the guy on the roof about discolored sheathing she found. When I started Sparrow Inspections, I asked myself a question, “How can I be the most helpful” That question has shaped virtually every aspect of my business and brought me where I am today. Keeping your needs ahead of all other concerns is key. I would argue that the home inspection should serve to clarify and REDUCE your stress during the home buying process. Schedule me for your next home inspection and find out for yourself!
