Property inspections are visual inspections of a property to determine its condition and other potential issues of the property. This is common with property purchases. It is proper practice and rightly so encouraged, that buyers visit and approve of properties before they commit.
An inspection provides the purchaser with all information needed to decide to commit or withdraw from the intended purchase.
It is important to know that property inspection is visual and non-invasive as no part of the property may be damaged or tampered with.
There are few types associated with property inspection but have been narrowed to three areas in the real estate industry in this present time.
Live Virtual Property Inspection:
Live virtual tours involve hosting the inspection through a video call on social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facetime, Skype, Zoom, etc. One party is present at the property and another participates in the tour virtually.
These kinds of inspections are only convenient for a select category of clients like property firms when advertising the property to multiple clients at a time or for corporate organizations seeking to purchase property and requiring the approval of top officials of the company without having to displace them to the location of the property.
Interestingly, there are applications like Zoom that can host meetings with more than two persons at a time. Virtual inspections can be as detailed as physical inspection especially with favorable internet services.
Videos & Property Walkthrough:
This has become a common trend in property inspection over the years. This type of inspection does not require any form of interaction or specific technology or equipment.
Property agent or inspectors simply take a video recording of the property on a regular smart phone or device and upload them to their property listings.
A video walkthrough serves property companies and firms in attracting more clientele based on the catchy and captivating nature of these videos.
These may not be convenient for the buyer as the videos may either exaggerate or diminish the appearance and face value of the property.
Physical Property Inspection:
Although virtual inspections are increasingly being resorted to by clients by the day, they can’t replace physical inspections.
Physical inspections are highly important to enable a proper appraisal of the property, raise requisitions and make inquiries from neighboring property owners. Inconveniences like exposure to flood, poor road networks, leakages, dampness and others can only be identified with a physical inspection to the property.
A virtual inspection or video covering may give clients a general sense of the potential property, but a physical property inspection gives a truer sense and presence of the entire property. Physical inspections are traditional and encouraged, unless when dealing with renowned and highly trusted brands in the real estate industry.
