Some home buyers may not know an AFCI breaker from king stud, but that doesn’t mean they’re not savvy in other ways. With the prevalence of Internet access and an abundance of advice, good or otherwise, one thing is certain. Home buyers don’t have to understand how an HVAC system works to know that it’s expensive, potentially defective and critical for living in comfort.
There’s a growing understanding about the importance of a home inspection. Here’s what most buyers these days tend to expect.
#1: Evidence of Quality Materials, Products and Installation
Home repair and improvement TV shows have almost a cult-like following. If there’s a buyer in the market for a new house, especially a first home, chances are they watch Property Brothers, Rehab Addict and many of the other popular renovation shows. One of the best results of this still-growing trend is an understanding of how important professional work really is.
Buyers want evidence of quality products, appliances, materials, and work. They might have an unrealistic idea of how easy it is to find top quality in a starter home, but they know that cheap can often equal trouble. With your experience, you can point out poor workmanship and shoddy repairs or a new breaker box and high-efficiency water heater that didn’t come cheap.
A Breakdown of the House From Top to Bottom
There are still plenty of buyers who expect a home inspector to be psychic with X-ray vision. But for savvier buyers, they know home inspections have limitations. Zillow works hard to educate buyers about what to expect. As a result, they know these items should be included in the report:
- Foundation
- Roof
- Exterior
- Interior
- Attic
- Leaks
- Basement
- Electrical wiring
- Plumbing
- Appliances
- HVAC
Naturally, all of those systems are accounted for in any Standards of Practice that you follow. But knowing that buyers increasingly understand going in that those parts of a house are covered, you can reasonably expect them to examine every line item for thoroughness. If they’re not satisfied, they’ll probably ask questions.
Open lines of communication between buyer and inspector are also increasingly important.
A Report That’s Easy to Read and Delivered ASAP
Thanks to home inspection reporting software, the industry has streamlined one of the most time-consuming aspects of the job: reports. And thanks to home inspection reporting apps, there’s less time spent waiting for a report that looks better than before. Inspection customers want a report as quickly as possible, especially in markets where any wasted time could equal losing out to another buyer who’s ready to take action now.
Home inspection reporting apps free up a certified home inspector to work more quickly with fewer distractions and deliver a report with fewer delays. You can enter information about every system that you inspect, snap and attach photos and finalize the report on the spot. As long as you have a connection, you can email the report to your customer from the driveway instead of waiting until later.
Thanks to a real estate industry that’s growing out in all directions, home buyers are better informed than ever before. From TV shows to cutting-edge real estate agents to informational websites and blogs, buyers have more to work with than their parents and grandparents did.
But information brings expectations. You can look at what customers want as a snag in your workday or you can view it as an opportunity. The more you’re able to fulfill their needs, the more happy customers you’ll get. From there, your reputation and the number of referrals you get have no limitations.
If you need a better home inspection reporting app, Report Form Pro is ready. It’s got every feature that you need and no fluff. Download our home inspection app for Android or get it for your iPhone or iPad at the App Store.