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One of the most important steps in buying a home is a quality home inspection. And the key to getting a good one is finding a good home inspector in your area. However, a quick Google search could yield hundreds of results, all claiming to be “the best”—so how do you weed through them? Do you go with the first result? Surely they must be popular, right? Or do you choose the home inspector listed at the best price? Affordability isn’t always a bad thing…
There are many ways to filter through the seemingly endless list of local home inspectors. But, as experienced Saskatoon REALTORS®, trust us when we say we’ve seen our fair share. Based on our years of home inspections, some qualities we’ve learned are more important than others when it comes to a good home inspector. And when it comes to choosing the right home inspector for your real estate transaction, here’s what we recommend looking for:
Communication, Communication, Communication
While the name of the game in finding the right home is location, location, location, when it comes to a home inspector, it is all about communication, communication, communication. And, yes, it is worth the repetition.
A quality home inspector needs to be able to foster and encourage open communication to ensure you understand everything when it comes to your prospective home. They are there to educate and inform you about both the good and bad while also providing context and solutions along the way. This helps you to set realistic expectations for what you are getting into. It should also mitigate any unnecessary stress. Remember: everything can be fixed. It all depends on how much work you are willing to put in.
It is essential that you feel comfortable asking as many questions as you need to get the clearest picture before making any decisions when buying a home. You should never feel confused or left out of the conversation. A home inspection is a decision-maker in the homebuying process, and as the home buyer, you should be left feeling informed to make that decision confidently.
Knowledge
While it’s not essential to have worked in home construction before becoming a home inspector, it is essential to have a strong understanding of the home building process. Understanding codes, standards, and best practices are critical to a good home inspection since they indicate not just when things aren’t up to par now, but also how they’ll continue to look in the years to come. It also helps to inform why things are the way they are and what solutions can be implemented.
Attention to Detail
While the little things can be easy for many of us to overlook in the homebuying process, they are the exact things a home inspector should be looking for. Cracks, leaks, squeaks, drafts—these may all go unnoticed in a quick walkthrough. In a detailed home inspection, though, the time should be taken to look at every little thing that could make a big impact in your home later on.
Buying a home is one of the most important—and most expensive—decisions you will ever make. Ensure you are doing everything you can to make the best and most informed decision possible with the help of a trustworthy and experienced home inspector. Still not sure where to start? Your local real estate professional should have a few recommendations of preferred partners they trust!
