Choosing the right Outer Banks home inspector is critical to the success of your home purchase here. Since the Outer Banks is surrounded by water, wind, rain and humidity affect Outer Banks homes more than inland. Therefore, hiring a local home inspector who is familiar with the effects of this environment could save you thousands of dollars. North Carolina has a good brochure available that will help you set expectations. Here are three things to look for in a local home inspector.
Licensed and Insured
North Carolina regulates home inspector activities. Passing a test and taking continuing education are just part of what they have to do to keep an active license. The state has fairly strict guidelines they have to follow in their reports as well. Carrying an errors and omissions insurance policy is also required. Most local inspectors are good but no home inspector is perfect. In addition, you want the inspector to have workman’s compensation insurance. That covers him if he gets hurt while doing your inspection.
Good Communicator
Most home inspectors are very knowledgeable about their field. However, some are better than others at communicating the issues they see. A good home inspector can quickly explain a problem and the solution so that the layperson can understand. How can you determine if they are a good communicator? Talk with the home inspector and get a sample copy of their report. This will help you make a decision on who you should hire.
OBX Building Experience
The Outer Banks environment takes a toll on Outer Banks homes. Wind driven rain is common to this area. Incorrect or deficient flashing around decks, windows and/or doors often results in leaks inside of the house. Sometimes these issues are not clearly evident and require a trained eye to see. An inspector who has been in the building industry here can identify most of these issues quickly. There are quite a few former local builders who now just inspect homes. Don’t expect your inspector to give you a rough idea of the cost to repair an issue. That’s not allowed by the state licensure board.
On the other hand, most will explain how the repair can be fixed.
For more information on local home inspections got to our Home Inspection FAQs page. Choosing the right home inspector is an important part of the buying process. Scott Team Realty knows some of the best home inspectors on the Outer Banks. They can help you find one or you can call them yourself. Here’s a link to a few we know and trust. These inspectors will best represent your interest in your Outer Banks home purchase.
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