Home inspections
- Thread starter mamab
- Start date
I honestly don't remember what we paid two years ago, but there was no way we were about to buy without an inspection. We were lucky in that not a lot was wrong, but it could have been a total nightmare if something *would* have been wrong and we'd find out after closing. I think maybe it was required in my state, as was a termite inspection, but I wouldn't swear to that.
Some agents have relationships with inspectors and lawyers. While this looks and feels convenient to the first time home buyer, we (along with thousands of others) learned the hard way that it just isn't. All too often, inspectors "miss" things thus encouraging the buyers to go through with the deal (benefitting the agent) and the agent to continue singing their praises (benefitting the inspector).
More than once, I wondered if I should have sued our inspector for the things he "missed." (Not frivolous things) I recently read an article that shed some light on this being a problem for many homebuyers and kind of shrieked in solidarity with the people mentioned in the article.
So, basically, to avoid any conflict of interest, I will refuse to do business with an inspector suggested by a real estate agent. I paid somebody for either incompetence or the willfull withholding of information, both of which benefited my real estate agent while causing physical and financial harm to me.
More than once, I wondered if I should have sued our inspector for the things he "missed." (Not frivolous things) I recently read an article that shed some light on this being a problem for many homebuyers and kind of shrieked in solidarity with the people mentioned in the article.
So, basically, to avoid any conflict of interest, I will refuse to do business with an inspector suggested by a real estate agent. I paid somebody for either incompetence or the willfull withholding of information, both of which benefited my real estate agent while causing physical and financial harm to me.
Where we live, real estate agents don't "recommend" home inspectors. They give you a list of the available, licensed inspectors in the area. Then, it's your responsibility to call around and get prices and set up the inspection. Or, you may have the agent call to make the arrangements, based on your needs.
There should be home inspectors listed in your phone book. You can call to get information. I also don't think I would use someone just because they were recommended by an agent, either.
There should be home inspectors listed in your phone book. You can call to get information. I also don't think I would use someone just because they were recommended by an agent, either.
When we bought our house there was a laundry list of inspections that could be done. Each allowed an out if there were issues or put the burden of correcting the issue in the hands of the seller. We settled on a couple of inspections, but didn't quite belley up to the Inspection Buffet. Not sure if I would have done it differently, but... 