Myth 1: There is no real difference among home inspectors

The Truth: Experience, knowledge and thoroughness vary from inspector to inspector. A person is not qualified as a home inspector just because he or she claims the title-or even if they’re certified; in fact, some states don’t even require that an inspector have a license. Therefore, it is important to do your homework when evaluating home inspectors. Be sure to visit their website and also give them a call to talk. Ask about what services they provide and how much experience they have in the industry. Check their website for a sample report so that you can know what kind of report to expect. Not all home inspectors are created equal and it is up to the client to do their research and find a good one.

Myth 2: A home inspector is only looking out for the seller or Realtor

The Truth: A home inspector’s primary responsibility is to look out for their client. An inspector’s job is to inform the client of the condition of the home with facts. Some people may be uncomfortable with using a home inspector that has been recommended by their Realtor, especially if they do not know their Realtor very well. This is understandable and why everyone should do their own research to find the best home inspector possible for their inspection. It may turn out that the inspector recommended by the Realtor is the best option, or they may find one they feel more comfortable with. Ultimately the choice comes down to the client and it is up to them to make the right choice.

Myth 3: My home is brand new and doesn’t need a home inspection

The Truth: Home builders have to meet the minimum requirements of the building code in existence at the time the home is built, but those are minimum requirements and may not reflect the manufacturer’s recommendations. There are also many times home builders take short cuts to save money or speed up a project. Having an inspection completed by a home inspector before closing can help uncover issues that may exist, and provide a homeowner with peace of mind. It is also recommended that an inspection is completed by a third party inspector throughout the construction process, such as before the drywall goes up. This provides an opportunity for the inspector to inspect things that they would normally not be able to inspect once the drywall is up. Furthermore, like everyone else, home builder make mistakes, and some of these can be very costly for the home owner in the long run.

Myth 4: Having my home inspected means that I will not have any repair needs or maintenance expenses right away

The Truth: The purpose of a home inspection is not to report on every minor imperfection in the home or guarantee that no repairs will be needed. As a visual assessment of the condition of the major components of the home, it is beyond the scope of the home inspector to foresee every potential malfunction. However, major defects will be found and the home buyer will be informed of these findings. A home inspection saves the home buyer from buying a home with major defects that can affect the value and even the safety of the home.

Myth 5: Every inch of a home is inspected

The Truth: The inspection is a limited visual inspection of major components. It is not a forensic inspection, so home inspectors will not dismantle the systems in order to inspect their inner workings. At times they will remove covers and access panels, but obviously, they cannot see within walls or beneath concrete slabs. There are literally thousands of components and materials used in constructing a home, so they focus on the most essential and highest risk areas.

By learning the truth regarding these and other home inspection myths, potential home inspection clients are in a better position to understand the process and get more out of it. Furthermore, the home inspector’s job is made easier when the client has a good idea of what to expect from the inspection.

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When it comes to real estate agency and particularly commercial property management, so many agents claim that they are the best at what they do. The reality is they have to prove it before the landlord will regard them as really better than any other agent in the local area.

Commercial and retail property management is just a process, but it is a very demanding one and it requires knowledge. Entry into this field of specialty requires committed property managers that are prepared to work hard, learn and improve their knowledge. This part of the industry is truly specialised. Very good and experienced retail and commercial property managers are always in short supply. For those that have a career intention, this is an exceptionally skilled part of the industry should you choose to make it so.

So the best agents and property managers are the ones that really do an excellent job in the core disciplines of property management. So what are they? Here are the main ones:

1. Income enhancement for strengthening net property outcomes for the landlord. The levels of income in each lease are gathered from different types of occupancy. That can be tenancy area, car parking, storage areas, naming rights, and other miscellaneous charges. Importantly they should all be optimised for the current market conditions.
2. Maintenance projections and management within the existing property so the tenants and customers are not inconvenienced in any way.
3. Expenditure controls that track budgeted cash flows and help the expenditure stay within expected ranges.
4. Vacancy management to optimise the cash flow and the income for the landlord.
5. Lease management processes that streamline the interaction with tenants and remove or negotiate on time any disruptive matters such as lease expiries and rent reviews.
6. Maintains relationships with tenants to ensure good levels of communication and feedback on any matters of current occupancy
7. Ensures that the property complies with all matters of building codes, energy compliance, and properties owned usage.
8. Understands the complexity of leases and the variations that apply therein. Each and every lease is regarded as a unique platform of tenant interaction and cash flow. On that basis every lease needs to be well managed.
9. New lease negotiations that are efficiently managed and take into account the trends of prevailing market leasing conditions.
10. Interaction with real estate agencies in the area that can provide sources of potential tenants for any existing vacancies.
11. Tenant fit out and entry procedures into a building that harmonise with the other tenants and do not disrupt extended or daily occupation.
12. Tenant mix strategies that suit the property, the function of the building, and the customers that visit the property. This is particularly important in Retail Property to maintain levels of trade.
13. Constant review of market conditions and leasing strategies so current tenant retention within the property is achieved in the best possible way.

One factor that should be acknowledged is that property managers can be resource poor or overworked when it comes to providing their services and commitment to the task. That is when the landlord is not correctly serviced and building performance suffers. It is not what professional property management services are really all about. You have a choice if you want to work as a Real Estate Agent in this part of the industry.

John Highman is an expert real estate author, conference speaker, and coach. He helps Real Estate Agents to improve their market share, listings, and commissions. You can get a free ebook of real estate tips and tools right here at http://www.commercial-realestate-training.com