A home inspection is a crucial part of a real estate transaction for both buyers and sellers. The buyer is worried that his potential home may have some defects, however, a seller is concerned about the potential for surprise costs.

Apart from checking for major flaws that might need to be fixed, a professional home inspector also informs you about how you can maintain your property to minimize major problems. Unfortunately, very often buyers and sellers commit a mistake of ignoring the recommendations given by an inspector that cost them in the long run.

To help you avoid such costly errors we’ve compiled a list of the most common mistakes buyers and sellers when it comes to home inspecting.

Not researching the inspector. Too many buyers and sellers look for the cheapest price without doing any research. An inspection is only as good as the inspector.

Here are a few questions to ask your potential home inspector: What are your qualifications, certifications, and training? Are you insured? How long have you been inspecting homes? Are you a full-time inspector or is this just a gig you do on the side?

Hire a certified full-time professional who stays current. There are a lot of things to know, and you want somebody who is keeping up with ongoing education and technology. You should look for an inspector who can analyze the home's strengths and weaknesses and then explain them.

Not attending the inspection. Attendance may not be mandatory, but it's a good idea. Just reading the report is not enough for most buyers to get the complete picture. By not attending a home inspection, you may not understand the magnitude of the report. Any home inspector that does not let you follow them around and ask questions is not supporting the buyer.

Set aside enough time for an inspection. The average time is two and a half to three hours. Older or large homes often take longer. It can be quicker, but it is not in your best interest. The inspector should go over his findings while on site. A professional inspector will educate their clients with solutions to issues and provide tips for the right maintenance of the home.

As home inspectors, our job is not to offer advice on whether to buy the home, but to talk about possible repairs or solutions you need to budget for, or any risks that the issues may present and we welcome all questions of our client.

Not reading the inspection report. Too many people simply just glance at the report. The report should contain concise language stating what the issues are and recommendations of what it would take to correct the issue. Our reports contain between sixty to a hundred photos, each one detailed so the buyer may easily understand and recognize the issues from the report.

Not getting a pre-listing inspection. Many sellers elect to leave the inspection up to the buyers, but that is a mistake. When buyers get an inspection, the sellers will have little time to complete repairs and keep the sale on track. However, if the sellers have already completed a home inspection prior to putting the house on the market, they have more time to get repairs completed. With the extra time, they can shop around and control costs. They can also reduce the number of obstacles and time the home is on the market and with a buyer recognizing that repairs have been completed, it brings peace of mind.

Both buyers and sellers often wait too long to engage an inspector. You should find an inspector long before you make an offer. Some buyers will wait until the eleventh hour and by the time they make a call, all the top inspectors are booked.

Not prepping the home. Inspectors are annoyed when homeowners do not prepare the house. An inspector is not going to empty a closet to get into the attic or move furniture to get close to the electrical panel. If your utility room is locked, make certain to provide a key for access.

For a seller, it is ideal to be at home to meet the inspector, introduce yourself, provide your cell number, and then you can take off.

To reduce the need for repeat inspections, hire professionals to complete repairs. Too many times, when faced with a list of needed repairs, a seller will opt for a DIY method to get them done for cheap. Unfortunately, that will show up during re-inspection and could mean another round of repairs, delays, and costs.

To get your home inspected by experts, reach out to Elementary Property Inspections. We subscribe to a strict code of ethics set forth by CanNACHI and all inspections are performed to the CanNACHI standards of practice, ensuring a professional independent opinion on your potential property purchase.

We do not believe that our service should end with the conclusion of the home inspection. We are available to contact even after the inspection if questions or concerns arise. To learn more about the home inspection service that we provide,please click here. If you have any questions about home inspection, get in touch with us here.