Dawna is a real pro! I am so glad she was on our team. For nearly four years she guided us through the volatility of the San Luis Obispo housing market, answering our questions from a far (we live in Montana) and flagging appropriate properties or developments along the way. When the timing was right and we found just what we were looking for, Dawna expertly guided us through the negotiations and inspections. This wasn't our first home buying experience, but we really appreciated how easy Dawna and her assistant made the whole process. We successfully closed in less than 30 days.
- Be present at the inspection. To get more out of the professional property inspection, we recommend that the buyer bring a list of concerns about the property. This can be specific to this property, or general about inspections. While at the inspection, have an open mind about the results. Inspections are not bad news or good news, they are only information.
- Inspector is not the buyer. He or she is knowledgeable about the property details, but they are not the one putting their savings into the property. Some buyers will naïvely ask, “Would you buy this home?” Or “Should we buy this home?” The better question is, “Is there anything that compromises the condition of this home.”
- Get a professional inspector. We recommend hiring a member of CREIA (California Real Estate Inspection Association, an organization of certified real estate inspectors). Check references, and make sure the inspector is well-qualified. The property inspector may recommend additional inspections for the property. While the property inspection is the usually the first inspection to obtain, it is advisable to get the additional inspections ASAP during your property evaluation period. These may include termite evaluations, plumbing scoping, electrical evaluation, mold evaluation, etc. Your professional real estate agent can be expected to have connections and resources for you to get additional reliable professional opinions about the property. A side note: REALTORS® in California also have the opportunity to complete a written property inspection during the transaction (Agent's Visual Inspection Disclosure), but this document should not be considered a substitute for a professional property inspection.
- Inspection information is more valuable than the inspection expense. The cost of the inspection (generally under $1000) is well worth spending to ensure that you are not buying the wrong property. As a seller, before you put the property on the market, take the opportunity to anticipate any concerns that a buyer may have. Unfortunately, if you accept an offer, you cannot expect to increase the price when you make agreed-upon repairs to the property during escrow. ‘AS-IS’ sale transactions need inspections too. Regardless of any possible agreement between the parties to sell in current condition, even without any repairs, it is strongly recommended to obtain a professional property inspection to avoid surprises.
- You will get a written inspection report. This may even include photos of property issues, along with recommended repairs. This should be reviewed with your agent to determine how it compares to your expectations of the property at purchase. All inspection reports must be given to the seller of the property, if you have an accepted purchase contract. Most purchase contracts in California obligate the buyer to provide seller copies of reports, even if it is after cancellation of the purchase contract.