FEBRUARY 22, 2017 Volume 12 • Issue 8
RE WEEKLY STORY COUNTY
RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL • AREA DEVELOPMENT 515-233-3299 • 317 5th Street, Ames All REALTOR® ads within are REALTORS® licensed in the State of Iowa
Online at www.AmesTrib.com/realestateweekly
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DEAR MONTY
Questions to ask when hiring a home inspector
R
eader Question: We will be looking to buy a home in the near future. When looking for a home inspector, how do we pick a quality one? — Randy and Mary Ann G. Monty’s Answer: This question suggests you are thinking about inspections correctly. Because a home purchase or sale is likely your largest single financial transaction, a proper inspection helps prevent expensive replacements and repairs.
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
has to invest thousands, or tens of thousands of dollars, to bring the home back to top condition, they will not pay a high price.
Pre-screen three Condition influences value candidates One of the key factors to a Go proactive with friends, home’s value is its condition, co-workers, or relatives that which translates directly to the have bought or sold homes in the price of the home. If a homebuyer past year. Ask them about their
experience with their inspection. Your goal is to identify at least three inspectors that received high marks from people you know and trust. Email these questions below even if the answers are on the website as they could be stale.
Here are 10 starter questions • What sets you apart from other home inspectors? • Did an earlier career provide you with helpful inspection experience? • If you discover issues that require repair or replacement, do you recommend vendors? • If your recommendations are hired, do you benefit financially?
• Do you carry Errors and Omissions insurance? What does it cover? • Will you email a redacted copy of a recent home inspection? • Do you perform listing or presale inspections? If so, do you re-inspect for a buyer at the time of a sale? • Can you share a story about an inspection where your experience and observation skills uncovered a problem that was not visible? • Who at your company performs the physical inspection? • Do you physically access the roof to check the various inspection points? If the roof is too steep, or snow covered, how do you inspect it?
Some final tips Always attend your inspection. By interacting with the inspector on site, you learn more about the house and any issues simultaneously. You will ask follow-up questions you could not have anticipated. Finally, read the inspection report. There may be no issues requiring repair or replacement, but there may be notes about life expectancy, future maintenance or watch warnings. — Richard Montgomery gives no nonsense real estate advice. Send him questions at DearMonty.com.
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