Homebuyers have plenty of questions regarding the process of a home inspection. Sometimes, they also believe in popular myths about home inspections, because some aspects remain a mystery. It’s normal because most people only buy a handful of homes during their lives. A few people buy only one.
As a licensed home inspector has the opportunity to help buyers understand the front end of a home and ease any unnecessary worries regarding the back. There are five common concerns and myths that are surfacing often. Make sure you’ve explained the procedure in advance and you’ll be able to avoid many headaches later on for both the buyer and you.
Myth 1: If It’s in or Around the House It Must be Inspected
While an accredited home inspector will examine the house both inside and outside but they won’t look at everything both inside and outside. There are some limitations on the scope of inspections home inspectors are allowed to perform.
One of the most common complaints from customers about home inspections is a defect that is not addressed. The inspector certainly should not have noticed. However, if the issue was not part of an inspection in first place, it was not missed.
- Buyers need to know what they will and won’t be able to inspect. This includes everything that is normally accessible but not on the day of inspection. If an armoire is blocking any electrical outlets, then you won’t have access to it, and you won’t be able to inspect it.
Myth 2: An Appraisal is as Good as an Inspection
If the buyer is using a lender then the lender will send an appraiser who will inspect the property. However, some buyers get confused by this aspect of the procedure. They might believe that appraisers are their friends. Realtormag suggests that they could think that an appraiser won’t uncover anything that an inspector could find, and this could lead buyers to not bother with the inspection.
Appraisers typically work for the lender, and their role is to assess the value. This allows the lender to decide if the property is worth the price they are asking for. They could spot the most obvious imperfections. However, appraisers don’t walk through the crawl space, examine GFCI Receptacles, or figure out the reason for the mysterious leaks in plumbing.
- Buyers need to know the distinction between appraisals and the home inspection. They must also be aware that, while an appraiser is working for a bank or a seller, you are working for the buyer.
Myth 3: Home Inspectors Should Know (or Could Never Know) Everything About a House
Home buyers are likely to be divided regarding the scope of their home inspection. There are those who believe inspectors should be able to have all the information and be able to locate every single thing. They are negligent when something goes wrong following the closing.
Another group believes that home inspectors may know nothing about the home’s systems. They’re generalists and what generalist can completely inspect every component of the home in a thorough manner?
The reality, of course, lies somewhere in between. Home Inspector in Alexandria who are certified by the government are educated. Although you may have not been an HVAC technician however, you are aware of the different ways systems function and can spot typical issues.
- Buyers must be aware that although you may not have the expert expertise in every system imaginable however, you have the knowledge and skills needed to conduct a thorough house inspection.
Myth 4: Home Inspectors Must be Licensed
This myth is very widespread. Someday every homeowner will discover that this is not the case, but being aware of your customers can to dispel it completely.
Some states do license home inspectors. Many do not. Licenses don’t make for an inspector with more experience in the same way that an inspector’s absence from a licensing program does not suggest that the inspector isn’t knowledgeable about the work.
- Buyers must be aware it is an federal obligation. The most important thing is the education level as well as accreditation (which is accessible to any inspector) and previous the amount of experience.
Myth 5: Inspectors are Also Known as Deal Busters
In each town, there’s likely to be one real estate agent who is unhappy and buyer who blames an inspector of homes for a transaction that went awry. Inspectors should be praised by buyers for being able to give enough details to prevent an investment that is not worth it. Realtors should do that as well.
If a home inspector doesn’t use unnecessary persuasive language to show home defects as more severe than they really are the case, a report is just information. What the consumer does with it is entirely his decision.
- Buyers must be aware that an inspection report for a house is only informational. It provides information on the condition of the house when you visited. If the house’s condition was not good the report will give them the chance to reconsider their options, get out of the contract or at least be aware of what they’re signing up for. However, Realtormag reminds readers that inspections weren’t intended to be used as negotiating tools.
The industry of home inspections is only starting to get more become more mature. In this regard, a number of myths are still circulated among buyers, agents and sellers. In the past the buyers were more likely to purchase houses with only the tiniest idea of the property’s worth the price they were offered. A few hired contractors to give the home a thorough inspection. With the increasing number of inspectors who are hired into the field, truth will outshine the misconceptions. You can play your part to help the industry by providing information to clients prior to signing an agreement to inspect prior to inspection.