Inspecting Vacation Properties

by Wallace J. Conway

If homeownership is rightly referred to as "The American Dream", then owning a vacation home must be heavenly, and if the bulk of the bill is paid by others when you're not using it, well that is darn near divine! And is there really any place more heavenly than Northeast Florida?

It is common that choices in resort or vacation properties are very dissimilar to that of residential buying experiences. For that reason, it is critical that your home inspector have extensive and specific knowledge of the factors influencing the new home's construction and care. It is likewise critical that the inspector possess substantial experience with homes that are similar in age and style as the home about to be purchased.

When it comes to purchasing resort property, the climate issues affecting a home in Vail are very different from those in Palm Beach. The people in Palm Beach are not too concerned with ice damming, unless it clogs the daiquiri machine! Likewise, visitors to Vail seldom worry about hurricane tie-down requirements. It is the job of your inspector to know which issues in the area might have an impact on the home being selected.

Choose your Inspector Now!
There is great merit in your buyer selecting their home inspector even before they make the home selection. It is very similar to aligning financing in advance. When you know who to go to and that they are familiar and available, things are just much more pleasant. Pleasant is always good in a real estate transaction, but especially important when a primary purpose of the property is your buyer's rest and relaxation in their new vacation home!

By having the inspector relationship before the property is even selected, the inspector can be a great educational resource to your buyer during the selection process. They may have questions regarding different issues on competing properties; why not have an expert on call to educate your buyers to their best decision? It is certain to help build the buyer's confidence in you and the buying process, especially if that buyer is not from the area.

This "advance need" inspection relationship is also a great opportunity to prepare questions for the inspector. The inspection is not about what details the inspector learns about the home, but rather what information your inspector is able to provide the buyer and you about the home. That information will go a long ways towards long-term care and happiness. And as we all know, happy customers refer realtors to their friends and family!

When questions or concerns are provided to the inspector, the inspector is able to provide answers in the context specific to the desired home, its location, and the buyer's own home experiences as a frame of reference. It just makes it simpler and more comfortable to make buying decisions when everyone is properly informed.

Your Inspector Wants YOU!
More often then not, resort rentals are purchased at a location away from the buyer's primary residence. This makes great sense. If they wanted to take a vacation in their own hometown, they could just as easily stay home! But, this dis-location can often complicate the inspection process.

It is always in the buyer's, as well as the realtor's, best interest for you and your buyer to attend the home inspection. Yes, you will certainly receive a full written report, but there is just no substitute for attending the inspection. Those few hours together with your buyer and inspector can answer questions, explain findings, and give a sense of comfort that is near impossible to obtain from a distance. To have a home inspection without attending is a bit like having a physical exam via the telephone.

Should it be impossible for the buyer to attend the inspection, have the inspector call the buyer at the conclusion of the inspection, even while still at the house. That allows the inspector to snap an extra photo for clarity, or to double check a last minute item that may come to mind as a result of the inspector's comments. This phone call will make the written report significantly simpler to understand when it arrives.

After the buyer receives and reviews the report, make sure that the buyer follows up with the inspector if there is even the smallest question about any of the report findings. More than one buyer has ended up unhappy due to confusion, misunderstanding, or improper interpretation of an inspection report. Do not worry about using the inspector's time or appearing unknowledgeable because of questions. Trust me when I tell you, your inspector would far rather spend time discussing concerns before a problem arises than after a problem, and have an unhappy buyer.

It comes down to this - in vacation property, as in all real estate transactions, if unknown, undiscovered, or undisclosed defects exist, divine dreams may rapidly become nightmares. And as we all know, nightmares are contagious. If a homebuyer believes they are having a nightmare, they most always keep you and I up nights along with them. Insist on a home inspection for all types of property!

Copyright © Florida HomePro, Inc. and Wallace J. Conway. All rights in all media reserved.

About the Author: Wally Conway is President of Florida HomePro Inspections, and has recently written a book entitled "Secrets of the Happy Home Inspector", available at GoHomePro.com or Amazon.com. Wally's expertise and experience has been sought after by HGTV's "House Detective", the Florida Times Union, the National Association of REALTORS®, and many real estate associations. As a speaker, writer, instructor, and host of "The Home and Garden" radio show every Saturday at 8 AM on WOKV 690, Wally blends the right amount of up-to-date information with just the right amount of humor, insight, motivation, and real-world application. Visit WallyConway.com for more information!

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