Frequently Asked Questions

Every home that is sold goes through a certain process where the value, condition and ability to transfer title get analyzed extensively.  Digs gives you all the information you need to effectively sell your home. By having all the information up front, the homeowner can make informed decisions and has the ability to address any potential concerns and issues that would negatively affect a buyer from making an offer or completing the sale.

Yes. We can provide a Digs Report for up to a 4-unit property. For properties that are 2-4 units and/or investment properties additional fees may apply.

In most cases, that’s not a problem. Wherever we can Dig up information, we can create a Report for you.

  No.  If the Buyer is seeking financing, the lender will require their own appraisal on the property.

 Yes. Of course, it’s always a Buyers prerogative to order their own inspections, but in most cases, Buyers don’t need to order an additional home inspection if a FULL report has already been completed.

 No. The appraiser will bracket the value of your home using a low end number and a high end number.  It is up to the seller and other consultants such as a Real Estate agent to determine what the final list price will be based on market demand and custom features of the home.

In most cases the answer is No. Assessed value is used to give towns an idea of what the value of the home is worth for tax purposes, however, this information is often based on outdated information which lags behind the market.  In addition, assessed value often does not take into consideration interior upgrades and remodeling within the home that the town may not be aware of.

When demand and sales prices of homes are high and the economy is doing well the value of individual properties in the area can be expected to appreciate as well.  Value appreciation is determined on an individualized basis, factoring in data on comparable homes within a .01-5 mile radius of the home.  The same would be true in a down market.

A Home Inspection is a visual inspection of your home by a qualified professional who is trained to evaluate all the working components and structural integrity of a house, and who is able to give a clear and accurate picture of the condition of these components. 

Primarily a few major things: 

· The primary goal is to clearly identify any significant defects of the home.

· To clearly identify any areas that may require near term repairs, or any components that are reaching the end of their useful life span.

· To give the Seller a clear understanding of what a Buyer may want to have addressed on the home. 

The inspection of a typical home usually takes between 1½ to 3 hours, depending upon the size and condition of the home. Depending upon schedules, this generally takes about a week to get all the information gathered on the home.

Once completed, a final Digs Report will be given to the homeowner at the end of the Inspection, where the condition of the house is summarized, and any significant defects and suggested repairs are detailed.

Though not mandatory, it is highly recommended that the Homeowner is present during the inspection. A substitute, such as another family member of legal age, or Real Estate Agent can work as well. The Inspector will make himself available to you during the Inspection to clarify or answer any questions you may have about the Inspection and Report. This is part of the Inspection, and you should not expect to be charged an extra fee for this. 

Title issues pop up more often than you might think, but they're not always deal-breakers. Roughly 1 in 3 real estate transactions (so about 30–35%) encounter some kind of title issue during the process. That doesn’t mean they’re all serious—some are small and easily fixable, while others can delay or even kill a deal if not addressed.

Here are some common title issues sellers might run into:

· Unpaid liens (like taxes, HOA fees, contractor liens)

· Ownership disputes (like heirs of a previous owner coming forward)

· Errors in public records (typos in names, incorrect legal descriptions)

· Unknown easements or encroachments

· Improperly recorded documents

· Missing signatures (like a spouse who didn’t sign off on a previous deed)

Title searches and title insurance are a big part of the closing process—they help catch and address these things before they cause bigger problems.

Unlike the Inspection process, the Title Search, Valuation and Neighborhood information is completed behind the scenes and does not require anyone to visit the property to complete the report. 

No, however; Real Estate Agents can be a valuable asset when it comes to selling your home.  In fact,  our research shows that the Agent will reimburse you for the cost of the report at the time of closing.