15 minute walkthroughs aren't enough - Attend your Home Inspection in Person!
QUESTION: Our home inspection is scheduled for next week in Langley. This is the first time we’ve bought a home, and we’re not sure what to do and what not to do. Some people say it’s not important for us to attend the inspection, that we should just wait for the report. But we’re uncomfortable with that advice. There are so many things we want to ask the inspector. What do you recommend? Marie
ANSWER: Many homeowners, purchasing a home in Surrey, Langley, White Rock or anywhere in the Lower Mainland can miss a wonderful opportunity by not being present at their home inspection. Sometimes this is unavoidable, due to geographical distance — for instance - if you’re relocating. However, whenever possible, buyers are strongly recommended to participate in the inspection process. Being on site during the inspection, viewing specific conditions in person, consulting with me, asking questions, and obtaining advice greatly magnify the benefits to you, the buyer.
This is how I usually explain it, when you phone and want me to just do a review after the inspection. Imagine going to a movie, but attending it for a friend, not for yourself. You watch the movie, and then after, meet up with the friend and discuss what the movie was about.
Your friend might have been looking to find out about the romantic elements, but you really liked the car chases, and to heck with the scenes between the lead and his leading lady. The nuances, music, acting, direction and storyline would be seen differently by the two of you. And although the movie has specific structure, relating everything after seeing the movie will never really show the film for what it is.
A home inspection is a fact-finding mission in which the inspector is your hired advocate. You and the inspector should jointly engage in the discovery process. Both of you are there for the same reason – to learn as much as possible about the condition of the property.
These days, open houses in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland — indeed all the way to Chilliwack and Hope are gathering as many as a 100 viewings over a day or weekend. It is a stressful process for many buyers. Most buyers make a purchase offer based on visiting an open house. It’s a 15-minute walkthrough, where primarily eclectic aspects of the home is what draws you to make an offer, but after that walkthrough you know very little about this very expensive commodity.
When you book with Walkabout Inspections, your home inspection will provide you sometimes with an opportunity to slowly and methodically view and consider the various components of their investment. During the inspection, you’ll have hours to voice questions and concerns as you evaluate this prospective purchase.
It also gives me an opportunity to explain the meaning and importance of each condition noted in the inspection report. There’s probably a good amount of items on the report that may be confusing, or you aren’t aware of. When you don’t accompany me, conditions noted in the report must be read and interpreted without explanation. Another point is — it’s easy to over-react upon some minor disclosures, while failing to understand the importance of some of the more serious ones.