HomeSmith Services, LLC

  • Our Qualifications
  • Our Services
  • The Exploded House!
  • FAQ
  • Resources
  • Look What We Found!
  • Request a Quote
  • Blog
  • Trusted Partners
  • Our Qualifications
  • Our Services
  • The Exploded House!
  • FAQ
  • Resources
  • Look What We Found!
  • Request a Quote
  • Blog
  • Trusted Partners

Some thoughts and ideas worth reading

The Most Important Quality of a Home Inspection

1/3/2019

4 Comments

 
​It is very important for you to hire an inspector that knows all the technical stuff. They must be able to identify potential problems with all aspects of the house, but for most inspectors, that is the easy part!  Communicating that information to the client in a clear and accessible way is what makes an inspector stand out.  Here is what good communication looks like:
  • Verbal communication at the inspection:  A successful home inspection starts with the client taking an active part in the inspection, observing and asking questions.  Many issues that look serious to a new home buyer may not be a big deal.  An inspector with good verbal skills can clearly explain each issue and set the client’s mind at ease.  Conversely, if the inspector discovers a potentially serious problem, the implications and the solutions can be explained to the client right there at the inspection. 
  • Written communication in the report:  A well laid out report with plain language goes a long way to helping clients understand what they are buying.  A good report should include three things for each problem identified; a description of the problem, the implications of the problem, and a recommendation of how to address the problem.  If the clients have already walked with the inspector, they will have a deeper understanding of the problem.
  • Visual communication using photographs: The old adage is still true today: “A picture is worth a thousand words”, but only if it includes good annotation in the form of a caption, and arrows or circles clearly identifying the issue.  This is where organized and clear report formatting is key. 
Good communication enhances a home inspection experience, but poor communication can actually be damaging.  A home inspector’s code of ethics prohibits any recommendation to buy or not buy a house.  The inspector who overreacts to a problem and does not clearly communicate the implications of that problem to the client could potentially scare the client away from the sale.  Not a good thing.
Read an inspector’s reviews on Angie’s List or other sources.  Look at a sample report on the inspector’s website.  This research will help you identify and inspector who is skilled at good, clear communication which is by far the most important part of an effective home inspection.  
4 Comments
Bob link
1/29/2019 06:43:49 pm

I can see how having open communication with your home inspector says a lot about whether the inspector is high quality or not. If I had a home inspector that talked with me frequently, I would be a little more at ease when it came to having everything checked out. I'll have to make sure that I find quality home inspectors the next time I move.

Reply
Dutton Smith link
3/16/2020 12:06:57 pm

Hey Bob! Thanks for your comment. Clearly I need to do better at follow-up communication! Good luck with any future home buying plans.

Reply
Bree Ward link
4/3/2019 09:58:43 pm

I agree with you when you said that it's important to hire a home inspector for them to identify potential problems that may possibly arise in a house. Thanks for highlighting the importance of clear communication in the process. If ever that I will buy a house, I will make sure that it's property inspected so that I know what to expect.

Reply
Dutton Smith link
3/16/2020 12:09:11 pm

Thanks for posting on my blog, Bree. Clearly I need better follow-up communication! I am super attentive to that in the client-inspector communications but missed it here. Good luck with any home buying plans.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Dutton Smith is the owner and operator of HomeSmith Services.  You can read more about him under the "My Qualifications" tab.

    Archives

    March 2020
    October 2019
    January 2019

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Picture

Call or email to schedule an inspection.
Available for calls: ​Mon-Sat:  8am - 8pm

​
Telephone: 802-989-4639​
​
Email: dutton@homesmithvt.com

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Click on any one of these logos for more information