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POST INSPECTION VIDEO / PHONE CONFERENCE

Typically, a Home Inspectors encourage the buyer, & anyone they wish to include, at the home inspection so that they can be part of the inspection, asking any questions they may have.  But, as we all realize, there is nothing typical about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This is why we are encouraging our clients & realtors to take advantage of our POST INSPECTION VIDEO / PHONE CONFERENCE service.  Don’t get us wrong, we still want you to be engaged in the inspection process – just 6ft away or maybe at your home (LOL).

HOW DOES IT WORK?

While still at the property, we will call the client & realtor to do a video or phone “walk through” of the house & show them our findings.  This allows the client to ask any questions & voice any concerns while the inspector is still at the property.  If either party is unable to do this, they can contact us later that day, after having reviewed the report, to ask any questions.

Click on the LINK to an example of our inspector pointing out a shadow in the ceiling, its cause, & an easy means of fixing it.

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS ARE ESSENTIAL

Throughout our nation & the world, many “non-essential” businesses & events are being

Real Estate transactions are still & will continue to be an essential aspect of everyday life – they’ll just be a little different than what we’re used to.  Each individual being aware of & taking the necessary precautionary measures helps to lower the risk factors to the other person, and their loved ones.

COVID-19 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

At Secure Home Inspections, LLC., we are making every effort to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 & we understand that our employees & company policies can play an important part in this effort.

While a lot of our safety precautions might not have been noticed in the past (cleaning equipment, washing hands between stops, etc.), the new policies put in place to help prevent the spread of the virus are in line with Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommendations (CDC’s Coronavirus [COVID-19]), & adhere to InterNACHI’s COVID-19 Safety Guidelines, which are based on OSHA’s infection prevention & industrial hygiene practices & OSHA’s assembled requirements & standards regarding COVID-19.

Knowing that real-estate transactions will still go on, we are offering to do a POST INSPECTION VIDEO / PHONE CONFERENCE. While still at the property, we will call the client & realtor to do a video or phone walk through of the house & show them our findings.  This allows the client to ask any questions & voice any concerns while the inspector is still at the property.  Otherwise, the client & realtor may contact the inspector after having received the report later that day.

Together, we can take actions to keep everyone safer. As Matthew McConaughey’s message of hope & positivity said “Let’s do our due diligence, take the precautions we need to take care of ourselves and those around us.”

Thinking of Skipping the Home Inspection?

Buying a home is a very stressful time & will be one of the largest financial decisions you make. There are a lot of costs involved in purchasing the home which take some homeowners by surprise (i.e. closing costs, insurance fee’s, broker fee’s, inspections, etc.). A lot of buyers find themselves thinking of skipping the home inspection, but there are tons of articles out there on why NOT to skip the home inspection. Here are just some statements made by industry leaders:

Amy Fontinelle with Investopedia states that “Home inspections are used to provide an opportunity for a buyer to identify any major issues with a home prior to closing. Your first clue that a home inspection is important is that it can be used as a contingency in your contract with the seller. This contingency provides that if significant defects are revealed by a home inspection, you can back out of your purchase offer, free of penalty, within a certain time frame. The potential problems a home can have must be pretty serious if they could allow you to walk away from such a significant contract.”

James Shea with Homes.com lists a few reasons why a home buyer doesn’t want to skip a home inspection:

    1. Unseen & Unpredicted Problems being pointed out by an unbiased professional;
    2. More Options with regards to negotiations, etc.;
    3. Cost Efficiency as “a quality home inspection can keep you from having to pay tens of thousands of dollars in repair costs”.; 
    4. Being able to identify potential Structural Problems;
    5. Signs of current or potential roof Leaks;
    6. Identifying issues which affect the Safety & Soundness of the home;
    7. Being able to plan ahead for future Maintenance Costs;
    8. Gaining Negotiation Leverage; and,
    9. Knowing the condition of the home provides Peace of Mind.

Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, Living on a Small Budget discusses how getting the home inspection can potentially save you thousands of dollars. Ashley relates stories of concerns related to “Not Taking the Seller’s Word“, being able to “Prepare for Future Costs“, and cautions against taking “Bribes to Skip the Inspection“.  There are also tips on what to look for in a Home Inspector and weather or not you should be present for the Home Inspection. 

Please take a moment to do your own search & read what the results are.

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