Home Inspection Strategies

A home inspection is a fairly comprehensive diagnostic overview of a home, and the inspector’s findings will provide a list of issues that may need immediate attention or can be addressed down the road.

Get a qualified home inspector

Ask for their certifications, experience and how long they’ve been inspecting homes.

Read the inspection contract:

·         What will be covered in the home inspection?

·         Will carports & garages be inspected – even if they’re not attached to the house?

·         Will the inspector look for mould and asbestos?

·         Will the inspector test for radon?

·         Will the report outline the presence or absence of rodents, termites and

·         other insects?

Be sure the home is accessible

Request that the seller unlock any inaccessible areas, and ensure that the major components of the home – furnace/ ac, electricity and water, are on.

Clear your schedule

You’ll want to attend the home inspection and depending on the size of the home the inspection could take several hours, so arrange daycare or pet siting in advance. arranging for someone to watch your children or pets is a good idea.

Come Prepared

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes and plan for inclement weather. The inspector will likely be looking into some small, dark or dirty spaces, so being dressed appropriately will enable you to follow and get some helpful information or explanations along the way. Consider bringing a flashlight of your own to help illuminate dark corners.

Manage Expectations

Every home needs a little TLC in an area or two, and a home inspection will find the defects. The goal of a home inspection is to help you understand the current condition of the home and how to care for the property going forward. There is no pass or fail.

Take Notes

They could be helpful tips offered by the inspector or questions you may want answered.

Take the time to understand the context around any defects which are noted in the report.

Review the Report

Be sure you understand any dates or estimated repair schedules and familiarize yourself with any technical terms located within the report.

Don’t get overwhelmed

Separate the list of “must-do” concerns or safety issues from items that can be deferred to a later date and items that are minor in nature.

Keep and review the inspection report each year

It’s a useful tool. Add to it with your own findings and ongoing upgrades. This way you’ll have a record of “the way it was” as well as “how it is” when you’re ready to sell.