The home inspection is a great way for real estate agents to add value to their services and improve clients’ selling and buying experiences. Here are a few things real estate agents should keep in mind as they prepare for their first home inspections:

Recommend the Right Inspector

It’s important to establish the quality and trustworthiness of any inspector you recommend. Review inspectors’ experience and certifications and communicate these qualifications to buyers. Keep an eye out for inspectors who are certified by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) or the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).

A good home inspector should conduct a thorough evaluation of the home and communicate with buyers in a helpful and straightforward manner. A home inspection should cover a home’s exterior, foundation, attic, basement, ceiling, walls, floors, doors, windows and home systems. If an issue pops up, a quality home inspector will inform buyers of it and potential solutions, always keeping problems in perspective. The more experience an inspector has, the better he or she can speak to the urgency of these problems – some might need to be fixed right away, while others can wait. Save your referrals for experienced inspectors who conduct comprehensive evaluations and avoid alarmist statements.

Ultimately, referring an inspector is an opportunity to strengthen your reputation. Hiring inspectors with a commitment to excellence helps improve your brand as an agent.

Attend the Inspection

It’s helpful for agents to be present at home inspections.

As an agent, your job is to guide your clients through each stage of the home buying or selling process. The home inspection is an important step in this process, so your attendance demonstrates a commitment to your job and your clients. Furthermore, you don’t want to receive all the information about the inspection secondhand from your clients. You want to be a resource during and after the inspection to field questions and offer solutions to any issues that arise.

Attending home inspections also lets you provide clarification on matters your client might not understand. For example, if an inspector says there’s a problem with the HVAC system, you can help the buyer ask the right questions and decide whether they should plan to replace the system, ask the sellers to replace it or closing credit, or wait until later. Your presence at the inspection helps facilitate communication, keeping the inspector, the sellers and the buyers on the same page.

Providing excellent service throughout the home inspection process can set you apart from other real estate agents. Build your brand and your clients’ trust by choosing the right inspector and making yourself available during and after the inspection. The right approach to a home inspection can help boost your business.

If you’re not sure where to find a qualified home inspector, search through the network of WIN Home Inspection. WIN supports a system of honest, experienced inspectors across the country.