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Vacation Rental Home Inspection
by Robin Fowler

You have just made the huge decision to purchase a home for vacation rentals. What is the first thing that you should do? Get the property inspected! A home inspection is one of the most important things you can do as a homeowner to insure that you won’t be stuck with a “money pit” down the line!

Home inspections should go hand in hand with home purchases. A home inspector can point out any glaring problems with homes, inform you of any repairs that need to be made, he or she can make sure the house is up to all applicable local building codes, and your home inspector can even advise against making a purchase on a questionable property. In short, a home inspector can be one of your greatest allies in the home-buying process!

When it comes to purchasing a vacation rental property, be aware that there will be different building codes depending on the region and the climate where the property is located. For example, a home on the Gulf Coast will have very strict hurricane tie-down codes that need to be met, and a home in regions that see snowy winters will have very different building requirements applicable to that type of climate. Also, vacation rental properties are often very different from traditionally lived in homes. If your potential new property has been used as a rental before, it has likely seen a lot of use (and abuse), and might not have been kept up by the previous owner (many owners do not maintain their rental properties as they would their own homes). This is where a good home inspector, who knows the ins and outs of not only building construction, but also of vacation rental homes, can really help you!

When looking for a home inspector, consider the following:

• Choose a qualified inspector who is a member of ASHI, or the American Society of Home Inspectors. Using an ASHI-certified home inspector will guarantee that you are thorough getting feedback from an ethical and knowledgeable individual, with your best interests in mind.

• Consider choosing a home inspector before you buy or even choose a property. Tap into your inspector’s wealth of knowledge in home construction, and get feedback on what is or is not a property worthy of your time and money!

When it comes time to get your new property inspected, try to be present and the actual inspection. Things can be explained more clearly when you can see them, and questions can be answered on the spot, as you think of them. Though you will receive a written report, there is nothing like being there and seeing firsthand the problems and potential issues for yourself. This helps prevent confusion about the urgency with which some repairs will need to be made.

Not getting a new property inspected will inevitably lead to expensive problems down the line, even if the property is a new construction. This could destroy your dreams of being a multiple property owner, and having a thriving vacation rental business for yourself. It will also likely cost you a great deal of money and sanity! For you new vacation rental property, hiring a reputable home inspector to carry out a full home inspection is the smartest thing that you can do!