Top 5 Factors to Consider When Selecting a Home Inspector
The real estate market is extremely competitive right now, with some houses receiving over 70 offers. In order to sound more attractive to sellers, many people are forgoing home inspections when putting in their offers.
Not only is this not advisable, but not getting a home properly inspected before buying can end up costing you tons of money in repairs later on.
Selecting a home inspector for your new home is a must. But how do you choose the right one?
Here are the top 5 factors you need to consider when selecting a home inspector.
1. Ask How Much Experience They Have
The experience of a home inspector should be your top priority when selecting one. Ask how long they have been in business, how many homes they’ve inspected, and how trained they are.
Inexperienced home inspectors might not catch things, like electrical sockets with reverse polarity or foundational issues. If these problems are not caught by your home inspector, it can result in expensive repairs or even serious injury.
2. Always be Comparing Inspector Costs
It is usually never a good idea to go with the first home inspector you find without looking at other options for inspectors. You need to do research to find the average price point of what home inspectors cost.
That way, you can know when you are being overcharged. Or on the other hand, you can realize that a low price may be too good to be true if the home inspector is charging too much under the average market price.
3. Read the Online Customer Reviews
A home inspector’s online reputation will tell you everything you need to know. Read online customer reviews of multiple home inspectors to get a feel for what type of inspector they are.
Did people have a good home inspection experience? Were they professional? Did they catch all the issues with the home?
4. You Need Different Home Inspectors for Different Types of Homes
Just as each house is different, so is each home inspector. Ask about which types of homes the inspector has worked on in the past. A home inspector might be great at inspecting townhomes or condos, but not so experienced with inspecting fixer-uppers.
Check to see what types of homes they are most experienced with before hiring them.
5. Check If They Have The Right Insurance
It is important to make sure that the home inspector that you hire has insurance. That way, in case they miss a big type of problem when inspecting your home, their insurance may be able to cover the cost of the repairs.
Looking for More Advice on Selecting a Home Inspector?
Selecting a home inspector may seem like an afterthought on your home to-do list, but do not put it off. Hiring the right one can mean the difference between happily settling into your forever home or being faced with mountains of repairs.
Looking for more information, tips, and tricks on real estate and home inspections? Follow along for more knowledgeable articles if you are ready to jump into the real estate market.
Ben Stern wrote this article on behalf of FreeUp. FreeUp is the fastest-growing freelance marketplace in the US. FreeUp only accepts the top 1% of freelance applicants. Click here to get access to the top freelancers in the world.
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