1. “80% Of Success Is Showing Up 🙌 

We’re not sure where Woody Allen got his numbers from but the sentiment is solid. If you’re paying out for a good, certified inspector then one of the most impactful things you can do is be physically present to make full use of their time and expertise! 

Maximize their time by sharing any knowledge or context you have about the property that could support the inspection, and be sure to ask as many questions as you can (even the awks ones!) to ensure you fully understand any issues and their potential consequences. 

Want bonus points? Do your own run through of the property in advance to check for any obvious signs of problems such as visible water damage, faulty light switches, broken doors etc. That way you come prepared with initial questions or concerns that arise for you. 

The heading for this one says it all. They may not be perfectly positioned, ‘gram-worthy images but whether it is snapping any issues or potential problems or asking your inspector to take pics from the nooks and crannies you can’t (or don’t want to) reach such us on the roof or in your crawl spaces, having photographic evidence that you can refer to later is invaluable. 

All inspectors should at least bring along a standard camera for this but when choosing your professional, ask about infrared and thermal imaging so you can also get a glimpse of those hidden spots such as behind the walls and under the floors.

Hopefully not literally. But all jokes aside, one of the most cost-intensive pain points when it comes to housing is roof repairs so this is not a headache you want to be surprised with after closing. 

Make sure your inspector plays close attention to this area and explains their process and findings thoroughly. You can help by finding out as many details as possible in advance, for example, when was it last replaced and is under warranty?

Again, not literally! But do keep a look out for them; suspicious, small patches of freshly painted wall or seemingly random sections of newly patched flooring or ceilings can be red flags so don’t be afraid to ask and find out what’s behind them.

In addition, keep an eye out for any visible tears or cracks in walls or flooring (especially in the basement!). Whilst these aren’t necessarily indicative of serious problems, it is important to understand the cause in order to properly analyze any potential risks. 

Your home inspection is your time to test everything. Make a list of questions you want answered and make sure it includes things such as:

We often see clients starting out with the appraisal, since this is required by lenders, whilst the inspection typically is not but this can be a costly mistake!

Of course we all hope that the inspection will tell us everything we want to hear but what if it doesn’t? If the inspection uncovers major issues then you may find yourself wanting to reconsider the purchase altogether, meaning if you have completed this first you could be saving yourself hundreds of dollars on an appraisal of a home that you don’t even want.

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of purchasing a new home or overwhelmed by a seemingly never-ended list of boring “to do”s that seem arbitrary or repetitive and no one would blame you for wanting to hurry through the minutiae so you can be relaxing homeowner bliss as soon as possible. 

But if you want to make sure that the only “new home headache” you have to deal with is the result of too much celebratory bubbly then it’s crucial to prioritize these final details and set yourself up for success.

Did you find these hints helpful? Got burning questions? Or are you a homeowner with experiences to share? Let us know in the comments below!