Are Home Inspections necessary?

jane-field-real-estate-agent Clients often ask me if it's necessary to spend the money on a home inspection. My answer is always a resounding Yes! Home inspections in the North Okanagan cost an affordable $250 - $350.00 plus G.S.T. and they are worth it.

Okanagan Home Inspectors systematically check over all aspects of the homes' construction. They look closely at the plumbing, heating and electrical systems. They check out basements and crawl spaces with moisture meters. They scrutinize any cracks in the foundation and offer guidance about whether the buyers should consult an engineer. They get up into the attic and look for mildew and mould and inspect the insulation. Home Inspectors evaluate the roofing and estimate its' life expectancy. They inspect the site to see if there are drainage concerns or other factors.

All in all, it's their systematic approach and their training that make them such a valuable service.

Best to keep in mind that all houses have some minor deficiencies and quirks. Plus, most homes are overdue with some aspect of maintenance. So keep those particular home inspection findings in perspective.

Also of value is the aspect of the inspector familiarizing the home buyer with the workings of the house. They show buyers things like water main shut offs and breaker panels. Home Inspectors also suggest proper maintenance schedules and offer guestimates of repair costs.

The beauty of this service is that the buyer proceeds with the purchase better informed and presumably really knowing what they are buying. Buyers get to know both the bad with the good.

Home inspection is not perfect science. Over time I have seen a few things overlooked by these inspectors (I guess that makes them human) but overall I think they do a very good job and offer a meaningful, relevant service.

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