Most buyers start their home search with the conviction they would never buy a home without an inspection. As their search wears on in this highly competitive market and they keep losing out to buyers who waive the inspection contingency that determination often wanes.
To fill the need created by this no inspection trend, some home inspectors are offering a new service… walkthrough consultations. They don’t take the place of full inspections, but they can give peace of mind to help people who are looking for an expert eye before committing to the biggest purchase in most people’s lives.
A full home inspection typically takes 2-4 hours. A walkthrough consultation typically takes 30-60 minutes. During that time the inspector walks with the buyer and their agent around the exterior and through the interior, giving expert insights into the condition of the property.
I asked the inspector at a consultation not long ago if he has been doing many of these… he said about 60 so far this year! There is no written report so it is up to the buyer to take notes, and walkthrough consultations are part of a showing scheduled by the buyer’s agent rather than a separate inspection scheduled by the inspector but they still provide a wealth of information.
If you get the winning bid, it can be a good idea to still get a full inspection after you own the house to have a better understanding of how to maintain your new home. And don’t neglect getting a radon test to protect the health of your family.
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results – shensrud@homesmsp.com
