By Bobby Curtis, February 24, 2018
When you get ready to buy a new house or put your house up for sale, the house will almost always have professional inspections. And if you buy a house with the intent to renovate and resell it, get ready for 2 sets of inspections in a short period of time- when you buy, and when you sell. Licensed REALTOR® and Contractor, Bobby Curtis discusses the what’s and why’s of this with Tra’Renee Chambers on KATU. Watch here or check out his highlights below.
Lets talk about When You Buy
As a licensed Contractor and a licensed REALTOR®, I still get inspections before the purchase and you should too. Here’s why:
Inspectors are inspecting many houses in the area we’re buying houses every day. They see all the good and all the bad in detail, have more experience than most of us, and offer a ton of information. They provide a thorough inspection report with pictures. If you need to negotiate and repairs or credits, you have detail of the situation that the sellers may not know about their own house. Inspectors are a non-biased independent third party. As much as I like to keep my own emotions out of a real estate investment, having an inspector give me the facts, helps keep me in check
There are 4 standard inspections that are common to conduct while in the inspection period in the Portland area. 1. Whole home general inspection. 2. Sewer scope to ensure a compliant, functioning sewer line. 3. Oil tank scan, to see if the property has one, and ensure it is in good shape. 4. Radon test, to ensure low levels of radon in the house.
Before getting into contract, I always have a budget with detail on what I plan to spend money on and how much. After the inspection, I’m able to make adjustments. (ie you may have thought you needed a new roof, but alas it just needs moss removal)
Lets talk about When You Sell.
The buyers will almost always get all 4 of the previous inspections, and maybe more. Even better if you can provide them the clean sewer scope, radon test, and oil tank scan results showing everything is in good shape. This gives your new buyers extra confidence in the house. Keep in mind, if this is a house you remodeled and something came up on your inspection that you did not fix, there is a good chance it will come up for the new buyers.
Know that even if you fix everything that pops up on your inspection report, the new buyers inspectors are bound to find some things. It is essentially part of their job to find things wrong with the house, and most of these Portland area houses are older.
If you have an inspection-type question you’d like to ask me, or want help buying or selling your next property or home, give me a call. I’m happy to help.
Bobby Curtis
Principal Broker
Licensed in Oregon
Licensed Contractor CCB# 215071
503-502-3066
bobby@livingroomre.com
Bobby Curtis
Principal Broker | OR
He/Him
Meet Bobby Curtis. Buying agent. Listing agent. Renovator.
A down-to-earth Midwesterner, Bobby graduated from the University of Michigan, and headed to Portland in 2004. He began a career in the pharmaceutical industry focusing on sales, marketing, and consulting. In those five years, he was even lucky enough to roam around Europe for short assignment in Switzerland. When he came back to Portland he took some time to discover what he was really interested in. Homes. More specifically, architecture, restoration, and entrepreneurship. After getting his real estate license in 2011, he purchased his first house in Portland to restore, redesign, then sell. Bobby rolled up his sleeves and started in on what would become his real career interest – transforming distressed houses into stand out homes by discovering the beauty of each unique property. Since that time Bobby has bought and restored several houses each year in Portland, both large and small, with great success. Armed with extensive first-hand knowledge of restoration, Bobby offers his clients an exceptional eye to pinpoint property potential and value. Whether you are searching for a complete fixer property, or a shining, buttoned-up stunner, he is skilled and enjoys guiding clients through the process of finding the perfect place. If you are selling your home or investment property, Bobby showcases his clients homes like he was selling his own. That kind of attention to detail will present all of the property’s best features. It's because he has bought and sold properties of his own each year, that he better understands what it’s like to be in his clients shoes, and to navigate through the current real estate market. As an experienced broker and professional, Bobby is able to negotiate the best price and terms for his clients. If you’re looking to get a sneak peak of Bobby in action, you can watch him on an episode of First Time Flippers on the DIY Network, where he helped his mom flip her first house. Or you can catch him on KATU’s Afternoon Live daytime talk show once a month, discussing Portland Real Estate and House Restoration. Check it out here Contact Bobby at: 503-502-3066 bobby@livingroomre.com Licensed Contractor #215071- T: 503-502-3066
- bobby@livingroomre.com
