Shocking! - 11/19/08 09:54 AM
Or, at least it easily could have been.
I attended an inspection with by buyers yesterday on an REO property. The inspector noticed a few items of "handywork" by a previous owner.  Most of what they did was simply to damage the doors, door hardware and drywall behind the doors. The big problem was the work that the owner did in the garage.  They decided to add a 50 amp circuit for a piece of welding equipment, which, by the way, had the wrong size wires.  When they left, not only did they take the welder, they took the receptacle and … (13 comments)

Is there a problem here? - 11/12/08 06:00 PM

What is wrong in this picture?
What action would you recommend, if any, to correct the problem?
Home inspectors are required to be extremely observant.  Not only do they have to view the roof and ceilings, they have to view the floors and any possible visible defects. Even when there are floor coverings, there may be signs of a "cover up". 
… (11 comments)

Holiday plants that are poisonous to cats and dogs - 11/12/08 11:34 AM
 

Via Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector:
 
As the holiday season starts to ramp up, I'm reminded by my little Zoey the cool cat that many pets at this time of year are injured and killed by various holiday plants, so Zoey the cool cat has some words of advice. 
RUSSEL'S
GARDENING
HANDBOOK
 
 
 
 

 
 

From Zoey the cool cat:
Many of our traditional holiday plants are poisonous to pets, especially inquisitive dogs and cats: holly, poinsettia, and mistletoe specifically. Dogs and cats will typically display signs of intestinal problems, such as vomiting, … (3 comments)

Stick a cork in it! - 11/11/08 03:12 PM
As most agents and inspectors will attest, there are many creative homeowners out there.
Maybe the homeowner, or installer thought that there was a dishwasher when he/she snapped the plug out of the garbage disposal prior to installing.  It was a good thing that this property had a nice selection of wines.  They located just the right size cork to re-plug the hole.

Or maybe, the homeowner "borrowed" the disposal from his/her property that was foreclosed on but had no way of taking the dishwasher before the sheriff escorted them out.
  I sure hope the inspector looks below the sink prior … (4 comments)