A Beginners Guide To Getting A Home Inspection

Buying a home is an exciting and sometimes overwhelming process. Finding a great realtor is step one. If you get to this blog post before you find your realtor, I can provide a few names of agents whose standards in work ethic and client relations match my own. The right realtor will help you through the whole process and can make your shopping and buying easier and more enjoyable.

BUT one of the most important steps when making your final decision is getting a home inspection.

Once you’ve found a home you’d like to settle into, it is critical to understand the condition of the property, which allows you to make an informed purchasing decision.

As experts in the field, Attic to Alley Home Inspections Inc. would like to provide you with a beginner’s guide to getting a home inspection. This will help you find a great home inspector and schedule your inspection at the right time.

Getting Started

Hire a professional: Home inspectors are trained and have the experience to locate conditions in a home that would cost you a lot of money to repair or defects that could pose a life safety concern. There is no replacement for training and experience. You will not receive the same qualified opinion or written report from a friend or relative who is not in the industry.

Be prepared: Although you can book an inspection at any time that suits you, it’s a good idea to confirm that your financing is in place beforehand. Ideally, an inspection should be performed as far from your subject removal date as possible to allow you time to consider the findings. The extra time allows you as an opportunity to consult with and receive a quote from specialists if needed.

Next Steps

Get a referral: A firsthand referral is a great way to find a trustworthy home inspector. Ask your friends and family who they’ve used and how they felt about the service. Did their inspector take the time to explain the defects and answer their questions?

Check Google reviews: Although it’s not the only way to find a professional, it’s certainly a good indicator. Pay attention to any negative reviews and, more importantly, the way they are handled online. Communication should always be professional and respectful.

CALL: If the inspector is helpful and willing to answer your questions, you find them easy to communicate with, and client care seems to be at the top of their list, you may have found the right inspector for you.

Ask for credentials: Find out if your inspector belongs to an Association. I belong to Home Inspectors Association BC (HIABC). All inspectors in this province must be licensed by Consumer Protection BC (CPBC), but belonging to an association carries with it extra responsibility, additional inspection requirements, continuous education upgrading, and of course, extra cost for the inspector. HIABC has a strict code of ethics, our standard of the inspection exceeds that of CPBC, and our education credit system mandates that members continually upgrade their knowledge base to maintain membership.

Advice From The Pros

Avoid price shopping: A home inspection will cost you about 1/10th of 1% of the cost of your home. This is the most expensive purchase you’re likely to make (or one of them, for you high achievers), and it’s very important to have a professional give you insight into its performance before you jump in. Finding the person who offers you the lowest price is not the best approach at a time when you NEED excellent service and qualifications. Further to the discussion on pricing, as a rule, the value of the findings on an average inspection far exceeds the cost of the service.

Attend your inspection: You should make it a point to be present for your home inspection if you can. I like to be sure I have a walk-through with my clients at the end of their service. This gives them an opportunity to see the actual location of what has been found, to ask questions, and to determine their comfort level with the findings. All findings will be documented in the report, but seeing something firsthand versus seeing an image in a report has a greater impact and allows for a better understanding of the condition.

Enjoy the process!: Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned vet, there will be a lot to organize and a lot on your “to-do” list. To keep you on top of things, have a designated area to store all your real estate-related documents and keep detailed records and notes. But most importantly, just have fun! This purchase is the gateway to bigger and better things to come.

If you are looking for a home inspector in Kelowna, BC, reach out to us at Attic to Alley Home Inspections Inc. We are a locally owned and operated company specializing in first-time buyers and performance inspections. We are committed to what we do and take great pride in performing diligent and detailed inspections for every one of our clients. We will provide you with an easy-to-read report which offers a full understanding of your property, so you won’t have to worry about the what-ifs.

We offer our home inspection services to clients across Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, West Kelowna, Peachland, Summerland, Lake Country, and the surrounding areas.

Get in touch with us today!

To learn more about the services we offer, please click here. To get in touch with us, please click here or give us a call at (250) 718-7890.