BPO Interior Inspection Insights

Conducting an interior inspection with the borrowers present can be tricky and time consuming. This report is for you to be able to learn from my experiences, and help you to provide a professional inspection. Before arriving at your inspection, pull the tax record and any previous listing information, this way you can have an idea if there have been many or few changes since the last purchase. Once you arrive at the subject address-take any exterior photos that you need. Promote a professional appearance and provide a business card upon introducing yourself. It is sometimes a scary event for people to let strangers into their house. By providing as professional an appearance as possible, you will help to put their feelings to rest. Ask your homeowner to give you a tour-this way they can identify the changes that they have made to the property. In each room, ask them what they have done since the last purchase or finance. "Is this carpet original to the house?" "Did you convert the garage into a family room, or was this done before you moved in?" Be sure to do the same for the exterior-have they re-landscaped? Is the deck new? Did they add the fence? What about a sprinkler system? Many homeowners will spend time proudly showing their home. If the home owner is a "Chatty Cathy" I have found it useful to refer back to an inspection check list in order to keep the inspection moving along. Remember, you are not a structural inspector, no need to be going under the house and into the unfinished attic. I have encountered many things in our inspections and they make for great dinner table conversation. One of my favorites was the house that had Liebe and Stafanos, the two family dogs that were long since deceased! They were stuffed into their hunting poses and very large. The homeowners reminded me that these would not be included in the sale of the house and to be sure to take out their value in determining a price! I have arrived to tea set at the table, with cookies and fine china, and to housewives exclaiming that they haven't had time to clean, so look out for the diapers on the living room floor. Interior inspections are a part of our business; they can also be an adventure-so be safe and have a good sense of humor!