I get your point about double-checking inspectors, but do you think online reviews are always reliable? I've seen some inspectors with glowing reviews miss pretty big stuff too. Maybe it's less about Google searches and more about asking the right questions during the inspection itself... like how thorough are they really being when they're up there checking the roof? Curious if anyone else has had better luck just grilling inspectors directly rather than relying on reviews alone.
Totally get where you're coming from on this. Reviews can be helpful, sure, but they're definitely not foolproof. Have you tried asking inspectors directly about specific things like roofs or foundations? I've found that when you ask detailed questions—like exactly how they check certain areas or what tools they use—you get a much clearer picture of their thoroughness. Sometimes just seeing how confidently (or hesitantly...) they answer tells you way more than any online review could.
"Sometimes just seeing how confidently (or hesitantly...) they answer tells you way more than any online review could."
This is spot-on. I remember once when a client of mine was buying an older home, and the inspector seemed super vague about the foundation checks. He kept saying things like "it looks fine," but when pressed for specifics, he kinda stumbled around. Turned out there were some hidden issues later on. Trust your gut—if something feels off or unclear, it's worth digging deeper before committing.
Yeah, you can usually sense when someone's being vague or uncertain about something important. Reminds me of when I was helping a family buy their first home. The HVAC guy kept avoiding direct answers about the furnace's age and condition... it was all "should be okay" and "probably good for a while." Turned out, the thing was ancient and died within months. Definitely worth trusting your instincts—have you had similar experiences with inspectors or tradespeople?
I completely agree—vague responses from tradespeople or inspectors can be a major red flag. A few years ago, I had a similar situation with a roofing contractor. He kept using terms like "should hold up" and "usually lasts." Turns out, the roof needed major repairs within a year. Since then, I've learned it's always wise to request specifics in writing and consider getting a second opinion if the answers aren't clear... better safe than sorry, especially with such a significant investment.
