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William Basch, Licensed Home Inspector

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Inspect The Home Inspector Before Hiring

12-30-08
William Basch, Licensed Home Inspector

A professiinal home inspection helps consumers learn about the condition of a home before making a purchase, but not all home inspectors are created equal.
According to HouseMaster, the oldest and most experienced name in home inspections, consumers often only ask for information about fees, but price should not be the deciding factor. Saving a few dollars on a home inspection could cost you thousands down the road. Consumers should ask a few more important questions when shopping for a home inspector.

  • Does the inspector have access to ongoing education and technical support? Many states now have some form of licensing or registration for home inspectors, but do not provide adequate continuing education and support. Look for a well-trained home inspector who also has access to an experienced technical staff and extensive reference information.
  • Is the inspector tested or re-certified annually? Make sure that a home inspector is tested every year-not just when they completed training-to ensure they are up to date on potential conditions in a home.
  • Does the contract outline the scope of the inspection? A home inspector can't see through walls or under carpets, and, depending on the area, there may be other things an inspector can't inspect. A professional home inspector should provide detailed information on the scope of the inspection prior to its start so that clients understand what to expect.
  • How is the inspector's phone answered? The way an inspector handles incoming calls is often indicative of the quality of service. Be wary of inspectors who answer calls while on inspections or driving to them. Look for an inspector with a professional office staff that can schedule your inspection quickly, provide a detailed description of services, and answer all your questions.
  • Does the inspector back his inspection with a written guarantee? A home inspection is not an insurance policy against future repair needs. However, good home inspectors will stand behind the accuracy of their findings. Ask if the inspector provides any kind of written guarantee and make sure it's not a third party policy.
  • Does the inspector have a professional Web site? The internet gives consumers the opportunity to do their homework online, including shopping for a home inspector. Review the Web sites of several inspectors to see if the site is professionally developed, offers current and useful information, a sample report, client testimonials and more details on the qualifications of the inspector.
    There are plenty of home inspectors to choose from. Making a wise home purchase depends on whether you took the time to choose a qualified professional.

Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. More information is available online at http://www.housemaster.com.
This information is provided for general guidance purposes only by your local Staten Island HouseMaster Home Inspections office. Neither DBR Franchising, LLC nor the local HouseMaster® franchise warrants its accuracy and assumes no liability related to its use. Contact the local franchise office by phone at 718-384-1122 or online at www.statenisland.housemaster.com and/or qualified specialists for advice pertinent to your specific house or circumstances. © Copyright 2008 DBR. Each HouseMaster franchise is an independently owned and operated business. HouseMaster is a registered trademark of DBR Franchising, LLC.

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THE VALUE OF A SELLER PRE-LISTING HOME INSPECTION

12-30-08
William Basch, Licensed Home Inspector

SELLER PRE-INSPECTIONS

A Seller Inspection can save buyers and sellers a lot of time, money and headaches, but it only works when all involved parties recognize and trust the inspector. HouseMaster® is the premier North American home inspection company, with more than 370 independently owned and operated franchises throughout the U.S. and Canada. Our experience is unmatched in the home inspection industry.

THE VALUE OF A SELLER INSPECTION

More and more home sellers are opting to have their house inspected before a buyer comes along. Pre-Inspections (seller inspections) are gaining great momentum in both soft and hot real estate markets. While professional home inspections are not a new concept, the idea to have an inspection done at listing is beginning to gain acceptance. After all, why wait until there is a real estate contract on the line to find out if there are any significant defects in the home? Seller disclosure requirements are also causing sellers to take proactive measures to protect themselves during the sales process. Today`s seller wants to close their deal knowing they made a full disclosure of the condition of the home sold.

THE VALUE OF A HOUSEMASTER® PRE-INSPECTION

Sellers who arrange for a HouseMaster Pre-Inspection enjoy several marketing, legal, and financial advantages.

Marketing

Once your HouseMaster Pre-Inspection is complete, a prominent HouseMaster Pre-Inspected logo can be posted to your on-line listing and a Pre-Inspected sign can be placed on your lawn. Prospective buyers and real estate agents understand a Pre-Inspected home`s unique benefit over other similar homes. At your request, tent cards can be placed throughout the home so that buyers and agents touring the home are reminded that a recent professional HouseMaster inspection report is available for review. A HouseMaster Pre-Inspection can give your home the edge! And buyers definitely appreciate knowing the condition of the major elements of the home upfront.

Legal

The legal implications of seller disclosure requirements often put sellers in a difficult position. If a condition is found after a home has sold and was not disclosed, sellers may be asked to "prove" they were unaware of the problem - not an easy task. By having your home PreInspected, you have documentation to supplement your Seller Disclosure form regarding what you did, and did not, know aboth the condition of your home. And HouseMaster provides, at no additional cost, Seller Liability Protection for home sellers. This program reduces financial exposure in the event of a lawsuit based on the inspection's findings.

Financial

One of the most significant benefits of having your home inspected by your local HouseMaster office is the ability to enjoy an upper hand in negotiations.

Here`s why: Without a pre-inspection, your home will be listed at what you consider to be a fair price. Interested buyers will then put in offers which are generally lower than the listing price. Most sellers expect to accept a price reasonably less than the listing price.

This is where a problem can arise. After the buyer has an accepted offer on the home, the buyer will hire a home inspector. Our research has shown that over 40% of all homes have at least one significant defect. Click here to view our Home Defect Survey. When that defect is detected, most buyers will want the seller to fix defects found or try re-negotiate the price of the home. Experience shows that buyers generally try and negotiate two times the actual cost of repairs needed.

By having a professional home inspection report available to the buyer, sellers now have several valuable options:

  1. Make the necessary repairs. Studies show that homes in good condition sell faster and for a higher percentage of their original listing price because repairs needed have been addressed.
  2. Price the house taking into account the home's condition: a higher price if the home has been well maintained and has newer/upgraded systems; or a price that has been adjusted down to reflect the less than perfect condition.

BUYERS BENEFIT TOO!

Buyers of a HouseMaster PreInspected home can arrange to have HouseMaster come back to the property at a reduced rate to review and update the original inspection report and answer all the buyer's questions. During this walk thru inspection, the inspector can educate the buyer on the various types of systems in the home, show them how they are operated, answer any questions they may have, and provide valuable maintenance suggestions. And the best part is that buyers who opt for this walk thru will get the HouseMaster Limited Inspection Guarantee so they are assured that HouseMaster is committed to their satisfaction.

This information is provided for general guidance purposes only by your local Staten Island HouseMaster Home Inspections office. Neither DBR Franchising, LLC nor the local HouseMaster® franchise warrants its accuracy and assumes no liability related to its use. Contact the local franchise office by phone at 718-384-1122 or online at www.statenisland.housemaster.com and/or qualified specialists for advice pertinent to your specific house or circumstances. © Copyright 2008 DBR. Each HouseMaster franchise is an independently owned and operated business. HouseMaster is a registered trademark of DBR Franchising, LLC

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