Buying a home is not an easy task, especially considering it is the most important investment of your life. Realtors play an effective role in making this process easy and safe. They save a lot of energy and time for a potential home buyer who is busy finding a home that may be the best match with the budget in this competitive market. Realtors make this home-buying journey safe and secure due to their strong local network of real estate professionals. Once you’ve found a home that fits your requirements, you should get it inspected by a professional home inspection company. Certified home inspectors can check each and every detail of this home and provide a written report.
Due to their vast experience in real estate, your realtor may recommend a home inspector to examine the home. This can save you the hassle of going out and finding a home inspector on your own. But is it the ideal way to get an inspection?
In this blog, we will discuss the pros and cons of realtor recommendations and how to find an expert home inspector.
Why Get a Home Inspection in the First Place?
Every homeowner should prioritize a home inspection after buying their home. This helps identify the condition of the roof, electrical and plumbing issues, molds, and cracks in the walls. And it reveals how much you need to spend on repairs. This can save you from costly surprises down the line.
Another reason for getting a home inspection is bargaining power. You know the home inside out, you know all of its flaws, and you understand how much you’ll need to spend on it. This information gives you leverage in negotiations and you can bargain for a better deal.
There are a bunch of other advantages that we don’t have time to discuss today. Rather, let’s talk about the topic at hand. These are some of the reasons for getting a home inspection – the pros and cons of choosing a realtor-recommended home inspector.
Pros of Choosing a Home Inspector Recommended by a Realtor
There are several benefits when a realtor recommends the home inspector:
Save Your Time
Home-buying in itself is very taxing and time-consuming. Add to that the task of finding a good home inspector, and you have the recipe for fatigue (not to mention the extra hassle and stress). A realtor can save time by finding a reliable and affordable home inspector for you.
Get a trustworthy home inspector
A realtor will use their resources and contacts to find a certified and trustworthy home inspector to check your dream home inside out.
Better coordination
It will be easy for you to coordinate with the home inspector due to the established relationship and get a deep knowledge of the home.
Cons of home inspector recommended by realtor
There are multiple disadvantages when a realtor recommends a home inspector.
Hired by The Realtor
If the home inspector is hired by the realtor, there is a chance that the inspection report may be made for a realtor’s eyes. They will understand it, but you, the buyer, may miss a few key points that may lead to confusion down the line
How Can You Search for a Home Inspector on Your Own?
If you don’t want to rely on the realtor to find a home inspector for you, you can do it yourself. We’ve divided the process into easy steps that you can follow to find the right home inspector for your property.
By taking these steps, you will not only hire the right inspector but also understand the home inspection industry a bit more.
Research
You need strong research to find a professional and affordable home inspector in this crowded market. For this, you can get help from your colleagues, neighbors, family members, and even the Internet. You’ll get varying recommendations from each source. Note those down and move to the next step.
Get a quotation
After you have everything noted down, start contacting the highest rated home inspection companies in your area. Share your details with their customer support department and get a quote for your property.
Note the company itself
Once you have the quote, start examining the company. What is its working style? Who are its inspectors? Are they certified and properly trained? What are people saying about the company? You can find most of this information on its websites.
Compare and choose
You have the quotes, and you know a lot about the companies. Now, see which company fits your budget and your requirements. If you find one, cool. If you don’t, go with the one closest to your requirements.
Contact and hire a certified home inspector
Contact the one you chose and discuss your requirements in detail. Get the final quote and let them inspect your future home.
Pro tip: make sure you are available on the inspection day.
Final words
No doubt, a realtor invests their time and energy in helping you find the right property. Despite this, some realtors may also help you find a home inspector, if you ask them. This may be a great gesture that saves you time and money.
But if you want to find a home inspection company on your own, we say go for it. You’ll know about the local real estate market even more. At Total House Inspection, we help buyers with all their burning inspection questions while providing professional home inspection services in Troy, MI. Our inspectors are available around the clock to provide their service so you and your family can live peacefully in the home of your choice.
