HOW DO YOU COMPARE APPLES TO ORANGES?

One of the things that I find myself doing on a regular basis is speaking at length over the telephone with prospective clients. I find that this can ‘eat up’ quite a bit of my time, but I also find that these conversations can be very interesting and rewarding in many ways. First, it never ceases to amaze me how little people know about the home buying/selling process. At times, it seems like I’m the only person willing to take the time to answer these people’s questions and explain in fair detail what they want (need) to know. I mean, buying a piece of property and home is no small, insignificant purchase so you better have some grasp of the process or you very well could end up with a serious case of ‘buyers remorse’ after the close of escrow!

Almost with out fail, the first question I’m asked over the telephone by a prospective client is: “What does your inspection cost?” That tells me immediately that I’m talking with an individual that has little to no idea of what a Home Inspection or Structural Pest (termite) Inspection is all about and what they (the inspections) are meant to accomplish for the person requesting them. It also tells me they have an ill conceived perception that there is little to no difference between one inspection and report and another, as well as between one Inspector and another. Nothing could be further from the truth! In other words, they are, at their financial peril, comparing ‘apples to oranges’! The very LAST question that should be asked is what the amount of an inspection fee will be! After all, isn’t the reason you are looking into ordering an inspection mean that you need some in depth and detailed information concerning the property you are contemplating purchasing and want to feel reassured that you are making the right decision? If that is the case, then asking questions to determine that you are hiring the most experienced and qualified Inspector probably should be the first that you ask. Second probably ought to be just what the Inspector is going to inspect and to what detail. Then your questions probably need to turn to what you can expect for the content and format of the report and how you will receive it. It also would be nice if the Inspector invited you to be there at the time of the inspection, even if you could only make it towards the end of the inspection so that any issues that may have been uncovered could be gone over right there on the property at the locations of the issues.

Finally, the time has come to ask about the fee for the inspection. But, by then you will be either feeling very comfortable with your prospective Inspector or you will be ready to rule him or her out. You also will start seeing how much time, effort and expertise your prospective Inspector is going to be putting into your project. By then, too, you probably are realizing that the fee for the inspection is less than ¼ to ½ of 1% of the cost of the property you are looking to purchase. That’s an incredible bargain for the peace of mind and confidence you will have to go ahead and close escrow on the property. Click on the “How to hire an Inspector” tab else where on my web site to access a complete guide to help you adequately and safely hire the Inspector that will protect your interests. Don’t let yourself fall into the trap of “comparing apples to oranges”!