Home Inspection Nightmares: Let’s Be Honest

Home inspection nightmares are out there and we’re going to be really honest about what a home inspection nightmare looks like. It may not be exactly what you think. In fact, you might even be surprised by what we’re about to share. But first, let’s start with the most important point: the nightmare is not what the inspector finds but what the inspector does. Intrigued yet? Read on to find out what we’re talking about.

All inspections find something

Many home buyers believe the home inspection is the biggest culprit of deal-killers. However, it’s a huge myth. The truth is, all home inspectors will find something. Some findings are very minor, others are concerning, and some are really big red flags. But at the end of the day, no matter what we find, the buyer and seller make the decisions. The findings of the report are completely based on the subjectivity of the buyer and seller. What seems small to one person might seem really big to another. This is why it doesn’t really matter what we find as much as it matters how the information is perceived.

The inspector is the nightmare

Any home inspection nightmare story we’ve ever heard has been directly related to the home inspector. For example, some home inspectors go beyond telling a buyer what they found. They instruct the buyer or the buyer’s realtor on how things need to be fixed. This is an industry standard no-no. How things are fixed is always up to the seller, not the buyer. And while inspectors are familiar with general solutions, they should never instruct the buyer in a way that implies specific direction. In many cases this results in a demanding buyer, an offended seller, and a home sale in trouble. The role of the home inspector is to be thorough and informative. The role does not include giving buyers directions to make specific demands.

The inspection leaves behind a nightmare

The other most common nightmare story has nothing to do with what was found in the home inspection. This happens when the home inspector shows significant disrespect or inconsideration to the home. Some inspectors will track mud throughout the house, leave lights on, doors unlocked, gates open and even the front door open! It has happened and when it does it has a big effect. The home inspection trickles down to the sellers, who’s attitude moves towards to the buyers. Many sellers will respond with “well I hope the buyers don’t ask for any favors after this crap”. And that attitude carries throughout the rest of the home sale process. This is the true nightmare for homeowners and unfortunately is more common than it should be.

When you hire Divinity Inspection Services, you hire a company that has their own set of service standards. We go above the industry expectations and ensure that every inspection is thorough, respectful and creates a good experience for both the buyer and seller. We want to become a trusted source for both parties and we can only achieve this offer exceptional service.