Home Inspector Mistakes And Misses – Real Estate
Home Inspector Mistakes & Misses…Now don’t get us wrong, we DEFINITELY recommend having an independent and licensed inspector vet your home prior to purchasing. The inspection that your mortgage company orders looks out for their own interests. This includes things that fit in to or do not pass their criteria for loaning you money. In contrast, a private home inspector will look at the house through the glasses of protecting you and your investment. They may not catch everything, but they will give you the facts for the operating systems and structure of your home. Often times they may uncover hidden problems. This report will help you make an educated decision to move forward (or not) with your home purchase.
Things To Watch For – Common Home Inspector Mistakes & Misses
Unfortunately, home inspectors, even really, really great ones, can miss some things. Although anything is possible, here are some areas to be keen to that are more likely to be missed:
- Air Conditioning: Depending on the time of year, they may not be able to run it
- Appliances: While they can check and see if they are working, they cannot always tell you if they are working efficiently
- Leaks: Leaky faucets, or cracks or slow leaks in drain pipes may not be apparent in the short time the inspector is in your home
- DIY (do-it-yourself) Projects: If it is structural, they should notice it. But, if it is something aesthetic (say a mantle or ceiling fan installation) they may not be able to assess how secure it is
- Moisture: Most good home inspectors can see signs of flooding or moisture in basements and attics, but depending on the time of year, it may be difficult
Keep in mind that home inspectors want to do a great job for you. After all, a lot of their business is from referrals and their reputation is important to them. However, they aren’t the end all and be all. A home inspector should never encourage you to buy a house or give their so called stamp of approval. They are being hired to give you the facts for you to create your own opinion. If something is missed, it is likely a true mistake. However, mistakes can be costly. It can be very disappointing to make repairs or costly improvements right after moving in.
Use a recommended home inspector who is licensed. Ask a trusted friend or your Realtor for someone they have had great experiences with. You could even ask your accountant! Happy Home Shopping…
