By Danielis Fermin
elinmobiliariodo@gmail.com
SANTO DOMINGO.- When acquiring a property, it is important that it goes through an inspection process, in which future construction defects or problems due to age and use can be identified and prevented, explains engineer Steisy Jiménez.
The professional is a graduate of Civil Engineering from the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (INTEC), and who has a PDE from Barna Management School and studies in Project Management, understands that these procedures can generate significant long-term savings, provide security and peace of mind to the buyer, and facilitate the planning of future maintenance.
The expert stated that the primary benefit of property inspections is the ability to identify problems early on, allowing for better negotiation with the seller.
“This can save thousands and thousands of dollars in the long run. Take a leaky roof, for example. Installing fiberglass and asphalt roofing felt can cost around 750 pesos per square meter. On a 100-square-meter house, this represents between $1,500 and $2,000. These costs are not usually considered when budgeting for an investment, since nobody wants to fix a roof after buying a house,” he stated.
Engineer Steisy Jiménez. (External source).
The second benefit Jiménez points out is the security and peace of mind that comes with knowing you're buying a house in good condition. Inspections can detect structural, electrical, and plumbing problems, ensuring a safe and stable investment.
"Imagine the headache of investing US$100,000, US$150,000, or US$200,000 in a property and then discovering that the entire plumbing or electrical system needs fixing. It's not just a money problem," the specialist emphasized during her participation in the Real Estate Investment and Financial Education Fair.
The third benefit is the ability to budget for maintenance. A maintenance report provides a detailed outline of necessary inspections or repairs, allowing for planning and budgeting of future expenses. "This provides a clear picture of the return on investment. Furthermore, a well-maintained property increases in value if the owner decides to sell in the future," he stated.
According to the engineer, property inspections not only save money and headaches, but also allow for budgeting maintenance and future expenses. "A small investment in an inspection before buying the property can save us a lot of money in the long run.".
