Reply: 1
From: Michael G
Hi,
I've always used professionals to do this stuff, and by no means is it full proof. I once had a pest inspecting indicate no problems, but the valuer, picked up a problem. Of course I decided not to proceed
Personally, I find those the last things to look at.
For two things to consider would be (note: this would be for properties that require little work);
"Why would anyone in their right mind, buy this property?"
"Why would anyone in their right mind, rent this property?"
Answering these questions actually narrows things down a bit.
You could ask other questions like...
"Well why wouldn't a tenant, rent the property down the road"
"Why is THIS property worth $x?"
Then once this narrows things down, and you start to look more at why not to buy it, damage, etc and this is where I've found reports to be useful.
I use pest/building report when buying properties to wrap.
Michael G