COVID-19 and Home Inspections
Things are crazy and unprecedented in the home inspection world. Last week brought some major changes to our everyday lives, and I expect to see more changes this week.
The new standard of care for home inspection attendance
I recorded a video 10 days ago and released it with last week’s blog post, where I mentioned that we’d prefer for our clients to not attend the home inspection. I didn’t want to prohibit our clients from attending the inspection, but that has changed in the last week.
been in close contact with several other large home inspection companies* throughout the country as well as here in Minnesota, and we’re all in agreement; the new COVID-19 standard of care is to have the home inspector perform the home inspection alone.
implemented this new policy on Saturday evening, and all of our clients and their agents have been very understanding of the situation. It warms my heart to know that people are so willing to adapt.
Safety precautions
While on-site, home inspectors throughout Minnesota should be following these steps to help maintain a sanitary environment in people’s homes:
Wash hands multiple times during every inspection, especially after touching things like faucets and door handles.
Bring hand towels or paper towels for drying our hands.
If available, keep hand sanitizer nearby and use it when needed.
If available, use disinfectant wipes or the equivalent on faucets and door handles.
If any inspectors have a fever or cough, do not conduct the inspection.
Certified Home Inspections
If you are reading this, you are likely looking for a quality home inspector and I am the inspector for you. Trained through College and using the best home inspection software along with superior inspection equipment, I will make every effort to detect and report to you any defects or areas of concern.
have the capability of printing quality reports, including pictures with captions on site for your immediate review as well as allowing you the ability to review the report on-line at your convenience. I will work for you, with your best interests in mind
professional, thorough, and answered all of my questions. He explained what he was looking at during the inspection, and took photos throughout the property. His inspection report is very detailed, and easily readable
quickly performed the inspection.. and provided a detailed report that evening
extremely professional and thorough. also made the report very easy to read and understand which is so helpful for someone like me that doesn’t have much knowledge in this type of thing.
Everything You Should Know About Home Inspections
So, you’ve found your dream home and are ready to sign on the dotted line? Pump the breaks! Though it may seem like the fastest route to getting everything you want, prematurely signing documents could also quickly become the cause of unnecessary headaches—and costs.
Before signing anything, knowing all of your options is a must, since the home-buying stakes are too high to gamble with, especially when it comes to having an inspection.
What Are The Rules?
Though inspections are optional, it is always a good idea to pay the money to have one done before buying a new home in order to prevent you from being blinded by extra costs and repairs after you’ve settled.
According to Freshome, exceptions to this rule arise if your home maintenance is covered by an association (i.e. condo life). But, either way you should always check with your bank to see if they require one. If you’re going to have an inspection done, pick a date and time that fits with your schedule and attend it—ask your inspector all the questions.
How Much Does It Cost?
According to HomeAdvisor, the average home inspection in the United States costs about $326. While some can be as low as $200 or as high as $483, they typically range anywhere from approximately $278 to $389.
things every buyer should ask about home inspections
When you have bought and sold as many homes as I have, you know that a lot can go wrong between offer accepted and done deal, pop the champagne. Loans fall through, properties don’t appraise, titles have surprises, buyers get cold feet, home inspections turn up literal skeletons in the closet, a sinkhole opens in the backyard, the neighbors start running around the street with lampshades on their heads. You just never know
How often does an inspection kill a deal? Seldom, Lesh said. Fewer than one in 50 deals go south as the result of an inspection report, he said. About 4 percent of houses that go under contract have “sale fail,”
How can inspectors make or break deals? “Home inspectors are by nature fault finders,” he said. “The key is how they convey negative information.” Good ones put problems in perspective. They neither marginalize a big problem nor magnify a small one. They are frank, without being alarmist.
What if something happens to the house between inspection and closing? Most sales contracts require sellers to keep the house in the same condition it was the day of the inspection. So, if the roof blows off between the inspection and the closing, or the water heater springs a leak, the sellers need to fix it. Buyers have a chance on their final walk-through to make sure everything is as promised.
Should you rely on your agent to choose your home inspector? If you trust your agent, start by getting his or her recommendation, Lesh said. “Although agents have a personal stake in making sure the deal closes, pointing you to a weak inspector would be very short sighted of them.” Also ask friends for recommendations, then check the inspector’s credentials to make sure he’s certified and experienced.
Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector
Whether you’re a homeowner or buyer, there are certain questions to ask home inspectors who are accessing a property. These ten might just be the most important.
Always keep in mind that the inspector isn’t just there to identify flaws in a home. They’re also there to provide insight. You should never hesitate to request further information during any process of the inspection. If you’re stuck trying to figure out what to ask, the following questions are a good start.
“What credentials do you have?”
The questions to ask a home inspector don’t start on the day of the inspection. One of the most important pieces of information you’ll need should be gathered before ever hiring a professional. Figure out what their credentials are prior to moving forward. This will let you know if they’re qualified for the task.
“What is covered in the home inspection?”
You’ll also want to ask beforehand what the home inspection covers. There are a variety of assessments that these professionals can conduct, and not all of them will focus on the same things. If you’re only paying for a wood destroying organism (WDO) inspection, for instance, they’re unlikely to check for ventilation problems.
If you’re opting for a full home inspection prior to a home sale, you should expect the following to be investigated:
Cracks in walls.
Signs of water damage – such as warped walls and sloping floors.
Check that smoke alarms are properly functioning.
Unpleasant smells which may point to bigger issues.
Adequate water pressure.
Issues with appliances (e.g. furnace, water heater).
Gaps in kitchen and bathroom caulking.
Attic inspection.
Roof inspection.
Check for water infiltration.
Various signs of damage or disrepair.
Mold inspection.