As time passes, we get used to its ebbs and flows. We roll with highs, lows, and the new normal…whatever that may be. There are fads and trends we’ll never miss, alongside upgrades and innovations we can’t live without. At Boggs Inspection Services, they’ve seen styles and décor come and go but a few things steadfastly remain the same. Having your office, business, rental property, or home inspected is a smart, timeless way to keep your investment safe and sound against whatever 2025 throws our way.
Looking to buy and/or sell your home in 2025? Here are a few real estate tips from Boggs Inspection Services.
1. Consider Add-On Services Like Air, Water or Sewer Inspections
Manager George Green says this seems to be the year of the bundle. “We haven’t really seen any new trends other than more folks requesting ancillary services like water tests, air quality tests and sewer or septic scopes,” he says. “There has been a large uptick in these services so far in 2025.”
And when it comes to manufactured homes, says Green, more financial lenders are currently requiring Foundation Certifications. “These are inspections performed to document whether a home is permanently attached to the ground as well as any additions such as decks, roofs or rooms relying on the home for support because HUD does not allow this,” he explains.
The foundation report is then given to a licensed engineer to assess if the home passes or fails HUD requirements. If not, repairs will have to be made before a lender will loan on the home, says Green. Cash buyers, however, don’t have a requirement for foundation certification.
2. Learning from our Neighbors: Climate Readiness in the Pacific Northwest
Recent West Coast wildfires illustrate how quickly damage can occur. Green says it’s important to maintain the perimeter of your home by trimming plants and overhanging trees in contact with the house itself. This reduces moisture against your home, removes highways for critters to access the structure as well as mitigates potential fire damage. You can also upgrade siding and roofing materials to those with better fire ratings.
If you’re planning an extensive renovation or new build, consider incorporating high efficiency and ecofriendly materials from the outset to reduce long-term energy costs. This can include charging stations for electric vehicles, solar panels, high-efficiency appliances and xeriscaping or plating drought tolerant, local vegetation.
3. Splitting the Check: Who Pays for Inspection Issues
When buying or selling a home, it can be tricky to know who pays for things. Should the seller redo everything to get top dollar or sell as-is and let buyers personalize things to their own taste? If issues are found in the inspection, who foots the bill?
Like most questions, says Green, there is no 100% answer. “Sellers are under no obligation to repair or replace defects in their homes found during a home inspection,” he says. “Having said that, if a seller wants to improve their chances of selling the home quickly, they should consider tackling larger ticket items that a prospective buyer may request to be fixed.”
Traditionally, sellers do a pre-listing inspection on their home so buyers can make an informed decision. “It is important a buyer has a home inspection performed by an inspector of their choosing and not rely solely on the seller’s provided report,” stresses Green.
4. The Upstairs, Downstairs, Inside and Out of Apartments and Condos
Inspections are smart even if you’re buying, selling or just moving into a multi-family building. Green suggests renters check that all required safety codes are being met. “Making sure the electrical system is proper or that there aren’t any water issues like leaks or mold growth is essential to a healthy rental unit.”
When buying a condo or townhouse, an inspector will look at the condition of the unit’s interior but also many external features. “We look at the immediate surroundings, such as walkways and stairs, siding and trim, and roof of the unit and buildings,” Green explains. “Even if the buyer is not responsible for these areas, they can compare the condition of the structure with any COA/HOA financial records to make sure the association is financially healthy enough to take care of potential issues without having to create a surprise assessment for each homeowner. This can overwhelm someone who may have stretched their budget just to get into the unit.”
5. Looking Past Vintage Charm in Your Historic Home
Western Washington has many gorgeous vintage homes. These shining examples of craftsmanship and charm are highly sought after but age might be causing problems behind the built-in nooks or clawfoot bathtubs.
Green says some materials used in older homes are problematic today. Things like lead, asbestos, polybutylene pipes (recalled in the 1990’s), orangeburg sewer pipes (weak and costing thousands of dollars to repair), a lack of insulation in attics and crawlspaces, foundation settling or out of date wiring just to name a few.
Oftentimes banks will not lend on a home with electrical issues, he explains. And while most problems can be repaired for the right cost “it comes down to whether the buyer can afford those costs.”
If you’re ready to take the next step, call Boggs at 360.480.9602 or schedule an inspection online today. Then move forward into your new home excited for the future.
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