Expectations!

Expectations! We all remember the sleepless nights before Christmas when all we could think about was if our wishes would be fulfilled. As we grew and matured, hopefully, our level of understanding and insight increased and our expectations diminished to a more manageable level based on our experiences rather than our perceptions.

In that same way I continually attempt to help manage our client's expectations regarding home inspections, home maintenance and home ownership. As most of us know the end of the purchase process is the beginning of the reality of home ownership and, for many individuals, a new and unfamiliar endeavor.

That is why I always like to have a potential buyer on site during the inspection process. It gives the buyer an opportunity to ask questions and take a long second look at the property being purchased. It also puts a more personal imprint on the inspection in that I believe that a client can more firmly grasp and understand the points brought out in the report. It is easier to understand exactly what information is being conveyed when a person is part of the process. Sometimes ugly or seemingly complicated issues are actually quite simple and easy to repair or replace and the apparently straightforward maintenance issue can become a nightmare if ignored for a long period of time.

A home inspection is not an exhaustive or destructive type of inspection and has its limitations. A good home inspector operates under an established set of Standards Of Practice, hopefully from a recognized national or international home inspection organization. The Standards Of Practice denotes exactly what a home inspection is and what a home inspection is not.

Oftentimes due to work schedules or other commitments, the buyer or agent may not have the opportunity to be present during the home inspection process. In that instance your home inspector, or other real estate support professional, needs to have good writing abilities to convey the information being collected for the buyer. Pictures are really worth a thousand words and inclusion of photos in the reports can be an important aspect of the quality and level of understanding that our clients achieve.

Expectations! If we can help manage expectations then we can possibly help reduce the stress and anxiety that goes along with purchasing a home.