Totally agree—reviews are key. A few extra tips from experience:
- Ask inspectors upfront if they'll climb onto roofs or into crawl spaces (some won't).
- Check if they use thermal imaging; it catches hidden moisture issues.
- Detailed reports with clear photos are gold...worth every penny.
"Check if they use thermal imaging; it catches hidden moisture issues."
Thermal imaging is handy, sure, but honestly, it's not always the magic bullet people think it is. Had one inspector waving his fancy thermal camera around, missed a huge leak behind drywall because the area was dry that day—go figure. Sometimes good old-fashioned poking around (and a nose for musty smells) beats tech gadgets. Lesson learned: don't rely solely on flashy tools...trust your gut and double-check yourself if something feels off.
Yeah, thermal imaging can be hit or miss. My inspector had one too, looked like something straight outta Ghostbusters, but it didn't catch the fact that half the floorboards in the kitchen were rotting underneath. Found that gem myself when my foot nearly went through the floor. Nothing beats tapping around yourself and sniffing for weird smells—cheaper too. Fancy gadgets are great, but sometimes your own instincts (and a good flashlight) win out.
Good point about trusting your instincts over gadgets. I wonder how much extra value those fancy inspections really add—especially when you're trying to rebuild financially after bankruptcy. Maybe it's wiser to save that money and put it toward a bigger down payment instead? Then again, missing major repairs could get pricey pretty fast. Tough call... Curious what others have experienced with balancing inspection costs versus saving more upfront.
"Maybe it's wiser to save that money and put it toward a bigger down payment instead?"
That's definitely tempting, especially when you're trying to rebuild financially. But have you considered the potential hidden costs if you skip a thorough inspection? I've seen clients who saved upfront only to face unexpected repairs later—roof issues, plumbing nightmares, you name it. Could the peace of mind from a detailed inspection outweigh the immediate savings, especially post-bankruptcy when financial stability is crucial? Curious if anyone's had experiences where skipping inspections actually paid off...
