Northern Michigan Real Estate: A Good Home Inspector...Worth their Weight in Closed Transactions !

     One of the very best assets a realtor can have and a buyer will value is a good home inspector. It is a fine line to walk between being thorough and noting aras where there may have been some deferred maintenance and sounding the "defect" alarm scaring the buyers into withdrawing an offer for what "may be, could be" a problem. Laws are different in different states and it is part of the responsibility of the realtor to explain what can happen on a home inspection and the remedies or choices that buyers and sellers have as a result.

    We cannot call Russel Ray,(California) Jay Markanich (Virginia)  or Michael Thornton, (Tennesse) in Wisconsin, inspectors have to be licensed by the state. Often an inspector has a "past life" career in a trade related job. The education to obtain a license covers the major mechanical portions of the home - electrical, heating, plumbing and structural area...roofing, foundations. An inspector can raise concerns that may require an expert for further evaluation.  This could mean the inspection of a furnace, a basement expert to determine the cause of a water problem or the pitch of a wall, a roofer who may recommend a flashing addition, etc. Not every issue is what we would call a "defect"....there is always some on the "to do" list and the buyer and their agent determine what things they ask the to do and what things are just "routine systems maintenance" and the buyers will keep an eye on or deal with after closing. It is important for the sellers to understand that inspectors are paid to find areas of concern...and they will and do...whether it is new construction or a historical landmark.  It is not an insult to the way that the home has been maintained, it is just a caution to the buyers for things that require further examination or correction.  In many cases the items may not be major issues and it is always best for an expert in the area of concern to do further evaluation.

        On the buyer's side of the transaction, it is best to look at the whole inspection and decide what if any experts need to be called to do further evaluation. Important to the entire "health of the transaction" is having the list complete and all concerns raised within the time period that the sales contract specifies. In Wisconsin, a 10 day period is "usual and customary". A good realtor has a library of experts that can be called in a variety of fields from a handyman to a licensed electrician to repair or replace items that may need attention. Make one list and decide what things you wish the seller to address. Know what you don't know and call the people who do. Make it a one time trip...not fix this...and a day later...about the....One ammendment should cover it all.

        Respect the Inspect....that's for both sides...for the seller, it is not meant to insult...you need not be defensive. For the Buyer....it may be a caution...working  together for resolution allows everyone to live happily ever afer.