From the home inspectors point of view, Investors are starting to come out of their hiding places here in Phoenix. Several recent buyers on homes I have inspected have been from Canada. Ads targeting group investors are starting to surface with homes being offered in packages of 5-10 or even 20 for various locations throughout the valley. "Homes by the dozen" could be the next tag line! Auctions are held seemingly every weekend. Inventories seem to be reducing; slowly but surely. I am inspecting mostly REO (bank owned homes) homes right now, however every once in a while I will come across an owner/occupied residence. What a shocker it is to walk into a home with a family, a dog and furniture in place! Not long ago, this was the norm. Are any of you experiencing similar situations in your markets? Is this finally a turnaround we can count on? What's inside your crystal ball?--Alan

Should a home inspector be doing termite inspections? Whats your opinion? I have received mixed emotions on this subject from different AZ agents over the years. After 10 years of doing home inspections and meeting a myriad of termite inspectors (both good and bad), I decided to offer  termite inspections along with my home inspections for several reasons. Aside from the obvious convenience to the real estate agent to 'kill two birds with one 'phone', I feel that there are other significant reasons why it's a good idea. I attempt to share only one with you here today.  The other day, I did an inspection in Sun City on a 1960 house, I found an obvious shelter tube hanging down in the water heater closet (see photo).

I would expect any termite inspector to find this and mark the appropriate box in the WDIIR report. This tube is plain to view and easy to spot. However, as I proceeded with the home inspection, I found additional tubes in various obscure locations throughout the home. In the example below, I removed the cover to an electrical sub panel in a laundry room and voila... More evidence! This tube was covered by the flange on the panel cover and was not visible until I had removed the cover.

 Over

More tubes were found in this home inside the furnace air handler box, above door trim and behind curtains. This is not to suggest that a typical termite inspection or inspector would not have been sufficient for this home, however, during the course of this particular home inspection, we discovered additional areas of evidence that might have otherwise gone undetected had a separate termite inspection been performed. Over the years I have found tubes in other obscure locations such as inside fireplaces, in attic trusses and even inside a wooden garage door. In many of these cases, I had to call the termite inspector who had just left the property to let them know of the additional evidence discovered. Although, to be fair, I must admit.... there have been instances where I have missed the evidence and the termite inspector alerted me to it. Thus, the argument continues.... As real estate agents what are your thoughts on this? I invite termite inspectors weigh in on this issue as well.

Alan Robinson, Owner/Inspector http://www.houseprohomeinspections.com/

Home Inspection money saving tip of the day...

Many home inspectors charge and additional fee to come back to the property after the original inspection has been performed. Common causes for a "re-visit" are a locked electrical panel, a utility serivice was shut-off, a pool or spa was not filled or an attic access that was blocked by stored items. These extra visits to the property can cause a buyers agent to request an extension on the 10-day inspection period or can even delay a closing.

Be proactive with your sellers and be sure they know to clear away stored items from water heaters, furnaces, under-sink areas and attic accesses. Make sure all padlocks are unlocked from gates, service panels and storage rooms. Be sure all utilities will be ON at the time of the inspection and make sure any known defects have been repaired in a proper manner prior to the inspectors arrival. Most inspectors will recommend a "licensed contractor" even for small items. In some cases "Uncle Bob" can do a good job fixing a small item rather than having to pay a "licensed contractor" to replace a door hinge, for example. For info on our services. visit www.houseprohomeinspections.com

Alan Robinson has been inspecting homes in Maricopa County for over 10 years with over 4500 structures inspected. He can be reached by calling 623-210-5800.