Calling in the Experts – An inspection may be a great first step, but it may not tell the whole story.
When buying a home, most buyers know they should get an inspection to point out certain deficiencies that may not be apparent to the naked eye. However, did you know that in some cases an inspector is qualified to point out certain defects but not qualified to provide a full scope of the potential problem? That is when you may need an expert.
I think of inspectors as general practitioners in the medical field. They excel in routine appointments, assessments and can, in most cases, track down ailments based on symptoms and can usually prescribe an effective course of action. However, for more-complicated cases, they usually refer to a specialist.
There are a number of property specialists who can be called in to provide a full report and determine potential solutions for deficiencies identified by an inspector such as:
- Roofing challenges
- Pest infestations
- Chimney structure issues
- Heating and air conditioning challenges
- Foundation and structural concerns
- Pool and spa matters
- Mold concerns
- Water drainage challenges
- Sewer system connection problems
- Tree concerns
- Well flow issues
- Soil or erosion challenges
For example, say the inspector points out a deficiency in the roof: Some shingles are missing and the moisture sensor picks up higher-than-expected moisture in the roof area below. The inspector may suggest calling in a roofing expert to not only fully ascertain the extent of the damage, but also the best way to fix it. The specialist’s report and recommendations allow the potential buyer to either request the seller fix the problem before the sale or choose to fix the roof themselves after purchase.
There may be additional items you want to evaluate on a potential property before purchasing depending on your specific needs. For example, if your ideal landscaping design plan for your new home hinges on building a retaining wall against a steep hill on the back of the property, you may need to call in a geo-engineer to evaluate the steepness of the slope and the soil wetness and content to determine if a retaining wall is viable.
Since the buyer is responsible for paying for the inspection, calling in additional specialists would also be the financial responsibility of the buyer. However, in my experience, paying a few hundred more than you were expecting at the outset can do wonders to provide peace of mind. Give me a call to find out more: (206) 790-0081 or send an email.