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The Real Difference between an Appraiser and an Inspector.

Selling your home is an exciting process and one of the questions we often hear about is the distinction between an Appraiser and an Inspector. In this blog post, we will examine the major differences between the two and go into detail as to why both are absolutely necessary for the selling process.

Certified Property Appraiser

A Certified Property Appraiser is ordered by the Lender through an independent third party. During an all cash purchase, there may not be an appraisal. An appraiser will be evaluating the property in person to determine the value for the purposes of the loan. The appraiser can also “call out” certain repairs that relate to general health and safety, especially for FHA and VA loans. This is where issues can overlap between Inspectors and Appraisers.

Certified Home Inspector

A Certified Home Inspector is a qualified professional hired by the home buyer to inspect a home including major systems i.e. plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roof, pools. Money paid to a home inspector is non-refundable. A home inspector can also recommend secondary inspectors for issues that are of concern.

The Main Difference

In essence, any potential repairs that come up on the home inspection can be negotiated between the buyer and seller. When an appraiser calls out a repair, however, it becomes a condition of the loan and must be repaired prior to the close of escrow. This can become an unexpected expense for the seller. For example, a failed septic system can cost a seller upwards of 35k from their net proceeds. OUCH! A savvy REALTOR will explain this fully to their seller prior to putting their home on the market.

Do You Need Both?

The reality is that you need both. Your lender is going to want to know the property’s value and your buyer is going to want to know the condition of the home along with the major perks it offers. So as you move forward with the selling process speak to a savvy realtor and together you two can put together the perfect strategy to give your home the greatest value.

Savy Realtors

Speaking of savvy realtors, we know a few! This blog post was written in collaboration with Sabrina Covington and The Covington Team from Realty One Group. So below they would like to share a bit about their team!

“ The Covington Team at Realty ONE Group brings you 23 years of real estate experience in San Diego County. Led by longtime North County resident and Broker Associate, Sabrina Covington, the team shares her dedication to clients and her enthusiasm for community service. The team includes 4 licensed full-time REALTORS®. Sabrina’s mother, Gretchen “GiGi” Moreno, joins the team as a retired Registered Nurse and a local Valley Center resident. Agent Catherine “Cat” Brock was born and raised in Vista and is considered an expert in the area. With a background in Charter School administration, Cat has a can-do attitude. She is the “fire” in The Covington Team. Cheri Mosdell is the newest member of our team and she is great at getting homes “show-ready”

Working With A Real Estate Team

What does it mean to work with a real estate team? Simply put, working with a team benefits you! For sellers, you will have a dedicated listing agent and a partner agent managing your sale. Other team members provide backup support for showings, inspections, and open houses. For buyers, it means when you want to see a house – you will see that house!  Overall, when you get our team you get answered phone calls, replied texts and a team member to serve you.

While the Covington Team’s artful negotiation and professionalism give your transaction the winning edge, yet we still put the fun and excitement back into real estate for you. You will know we are driven by your satisfaction. We love being full-time REALTORS® and that is what we do every day”!  

Special Thanks

That is all for today, If you would like to learn more about Sabrina and The Covington Team, you can start by heading over to their Website and be sure to follow them on Zillow, Yelp, Facebook and Linkedin. If you would like to talk to her directly use (760) 703-2907 (CalBRE:01351926).

If you have any additional questions, we recommend you talk to our loan officer Carl Spiteri (NMLS #286890) by scheduling an appointment online or calling him directly at (619) 544-6444