Manage Inspection Expectations!

BY RACHEL OSLUND
Managing Partner of LodeStar Inspection Services.

When buyers understand more about houses (and home inspections) before they even start looking at properties, they are more likely to get to settlement. Here are the top six ways to manage clients’ expectations and get to settlement!

1. There’s No Such Thing as a Perfect House

Every home, no matter how new and shiny it looks, is going to have its quirks and what we inspectors call “defects” or “observations.” And we all know that a home inspection report with a long list of defects (no matter how tiny or inconsequential) can scare a buyer from fulfilling on their ultimate goal of buying the house. So, prepare buyers for the reality that there’s no such thing as a flawless home. We’re in the business of uncovering those imperfections and providing a bit of perspective so that they can make informed decisions and not walk away from a home when it really is what they want. 

2. A Home Inspection Isn’t a Code Inspection

Home Inspectors are not here to identify or enforce building codes or city/county regulations. We’re here to evaluate the home’s current condition and point out any potential issues. Remind buyers that while we are looking for conditions related to health and safety and components that are not working the way they were intended to work, we’re not doing a code inspection. They should know that an unrenovated home built in the 1900s is not required to meet current code to sell. 

3. Only Two Types of Houses

Repeat after me: There are only two types of houses: ones that have problems and ones that are going to have problems.” It’s a home truth (pun intended) that every property, from the cozy bungalow to the sprawling mansion, has its own set of issues waiting to emerge. It’s all about managing expectations and making sure buyers don’t expect perfection. Understanding that regular and consistent home maintenance can reduce the potential for problems in the future can be useful in this part of the conversation.

4. Old but Operating as Intended? Not a Defect

Old doesn’t always mean bad. If those vintage appliances or 30-year-old roof are still doing what they were designed to do, they won’t make it onto the report as defects. As Home Inspectors, we are focused on functionality and safety. Because we want to manage expectations, we will remind buyers to budget to replace those components (you might even recommend a home warranty in that situation). 

5. It’s Not About the Cosmetics

A home inspection is not a beauty contest. We won’t scrutinize the color of the curtains or style of the wallpaper. Our job is to look beyond the surface and at the structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical components of the property. 

6. Not a Pass or Fail

Last but not least, there is no passing or failing a home inspection. We’re not here to give homes a grade. Instead, we’re here to provide a comprehensive snapshot of a property’s condition, warts and all. It’s all about helping your clients make an informed decision, not labeling a house as “good” or “bad.”

Home inspections can be scary and overwhelming, especially for first-time home buyers. It’s up to you to keep them really present to their commitment to buy a home and to help them understand what to expect before they even hit the streets to look at houses. Keep in mind that EVERYTHING can be fixed—it just might take some time and/or money.