It doesn’t matter whether Jon Mobly is walking through a home in Gig Harbor, Sean McClendon is suited up in a crawlspace in Aberdeen, or Robin Wilson is checking a roof in Lacey, the home inspectors for Boggs Inspection Services each know that they will likely receive the same question: “Would you buy this house?” It seems like a simple enough question. After all, each inspector spends their days getting to know homes of all types, making their way meticulously through the inspection checklist. Prospective buyers get to know and trust their inspector, so it makes sense that they might ask this question. While this may be the most common question, the answer isn’t as important as many may think.
“Our objective isn’t to tell you whether or not we would buy the house,” says Dwayne Boggs, owner of Boggs Inspection Services, “it’s to give our customers as much information as possible so they can decide if they want to buy the house.”
Every Home Has a Story
Each home, just like each individual, is unique. And each home inspection will have its own set of findings. “Our work as inspectors is to break those findings down into manageable pieces, to give our customers the clearest, most concise snapshot of the home at that point in time, so they can use that information to decide for themselves,” explains Dwayne. Whether the home is new construction or one with decades of history, a home inspector can provide a trained set of eyes to uncover the history of the home and present the information in a way that can be useful for a buyer to decide if the home is the right fit for them.
Assess the Big Ticket Items
Each customer has a different comfort level, explains Heather Derrick, content marketing specialist for Boggs Inspection Services. One customer might have the time and skill to take on home improvement projects based on the inspection findings, while another customer would rather hire a professional to complete the work.
Aside from the skill or time investment the repair projects will take, prospective buyers can use the inspection report to establish a list of priorities should they decide to purchase the home. Each Boggs inspection finding is categorized into three main categories: maintenance items, repair recommendations, and health and safety hazards. The inspection report gives buyers an idea of the most pressing concerns as well as findings that could represent a significant expense to repair or replace.
“With the expenses associated with moving, will you be able to make those large ticket repairs a priority, or is it something that you need to negotiate with the seller to either have fixed before the home is sold or as a reduction in the price?” asks Derrick.
Finding the Little Problems Before They Grow
“Some small problems that go undetected or are not addressed in a timely fashion can become big problems down the road,” Derrick says. Small leaks can turn into major water damage over time. Regular maintenance that has been missed or ignored can result in big costs in the future. “Our inspectors want to help the customers understand the difference between those smaller findings,” he adds. Some might be simple cosmetic imperfections, but others could be the start of something bigger. Equipped with that knowledge, buyers can prioritize their repair and maintenance list to ensure they are focusing their time and resources to protect their home.
Inspectors for Life
The team at Boggs Inspection Services is there for each and every one of their customers. “We don’t just want to be your inspector today, we want to be your inspector for life,” says Derrick. Boggs inspectors are happy to clarify report findings with follow up phone calls, or answer questions that might not have occurred to the customer at the time of inspection. “We want you to have the best information available to you, so you can make the best choice for you and your family,” says Dwayne.
So, the question, “would you buy this house?” is one to ask yourself, and the answer is something that Boggs Inspection Services helps make easier with their thorough inspection process.
Boggs Inspection Services inspectors are available across Thurston, Pierce, Mason, Grays Harbor, Lewis, and South King counties, seven days a week. If you would like to schedule an inspection, reach out to them on the Boggs Inspection Services website or give them a call at 360.515.3365.
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