home inspections: The Tale of the Tape (A Home Inspection Blog) - 08/06/09 11:03 AM
Yes, I do like boxing, and though the title of the blog may sound like the prelude to a boxing fight, you can prbably guess that boxing has nothing to do with this blog.
Okay, so you tell the seller there is a cracked wall. Well, they might … (1 comments)
|
home inspections: How Does a Seller Pass a Home Inspection? - 03/10/09 09:16 AM
I hear this question every so often so I thought I'd address it. Of course here in Southern California, about 90% of the home inspections we perform are vacant houses, usually foreclosures or short sales. However I know there are still sellers out there.
So how does a seller have the … (14 comments)
|
home inspections: Buyer Beware (A Home Inspection Blog) - 03/05/09 09:06 AM
Over the past year and a half much of my competition in the home inspection industry has dropped out for one reason or another. And recently it appears some have returned and seem to compete solely based on price. So I thought I'd share with you some insight on the home … (2 comments)
|
home inspections: Enter at Your Own Risk - A Home Inspection Blog - 04/25/08 10:59 AM
The other day I inspected a house over 4,000 sq. ft. that had a crawlspace. I finished the inspection and was explaining the report to the buyer. Here are some of the items I found in the crawlspace.
This support member was notched (where it meets the wall). Someone put in … (18 comments)
|
home inspections: Another Notch in the Belt - 04/14/08 11:22 PM
Well let me say that another notch in the belt is just fine (except for when there are no notches left and you have to just buy a bigger belt). But that's not what this post is about. It appears that some people treat trusses just like they do a belt... just … (18 comments)
|
home inspections: A Water Fountain in the Cabinet? - 04/11/08 07:07 PM
Sometimes as a home inspector you see things that make you laugh and really wonder what people were thinking when they installed something. Here's a great example.
I was inspecting a house the other day and was in the kitchen. I was looking for the air gap for the dishwasher but couldn't … (8 comments)
|
home inspections: "Green" with envy - 04/10/08 06:38 PM
Sometimes during a home inspection you get to see some very interesting things. I saw this from the roof. Nothing looked too unusual to me. It was overcast that morning.
I then remembered that there was a pool but for some reason my calling center didn't have the extra fee for a … (10 comments)
|
home inspections: You Should See the View From Up Here - 04/02/08 01:55 PM
The other day I was looking at my camera and remembered I had a panoramic view option. So I was on a roof during an inspection and it had a beautiful view. So I thought, "Lets try that panoramic view option." It's pretty neat, you take up to 4 pictures and … (17 comments)
|
home inspections: Do You Have a Tired Evaporative Cooler? - 04/01/08 01:06 PM
Sometimes during a home inspection I see things that just make me laugh. I came across this and just had to share it with everyone. I guess the evaporative cooler was overworked and underpaid and just had to sit down and take a rest. We all need that every once in a while, right?
… (14 comments)
|
home inspections: Would you like some Marshmallows with that Furnace? - 03/28/08 08:06 PM
Well I encountered another one just last week. The infamous recalled horizontal attic furnace (isolated to California from what I've read). Here's the issue (in a nutshell):
The Torrance Fire Department noticed they were going to fires that seemed to start in attics. They then realized that certain furnaces were located in the … (12 comments)
|
home inspections: Are You Retaining Water? How About Your Retaining Wall? - 03/28/08 07:26 PM
That's a trick question of course (that is the second question). Retaining walls naturally retain water because the soil soaks it up. But have you really ever thought about how heavy water is? Think about how heavy a gallon of milk is (okay, I admit it, I don't know the actual … (5 comments)
|
home inspections: Just TRUSS Me - 03/25/08 09:29 AM
As a home inspector you never take anything for granted. I recently inspected a 3,200 sq. ft. house built in 2004. It was very nice looking with a lot of upgrades. On the surface I'm sure many would think there could hardly be anything wrong with it.
There was an attic in … (10 comments)
|
home inspections: Up the Hatch - 03/18/08 02:35 PM
I've heard that some home inspectors don't go in attics or crawlspaces and don't walk on roofs. Now don't get me wrong, there may be a safety issue which prevents this, that's fine, but as my normal routine, I enter attics, crawlspaces and walk on roofs. Here's an example of why … (9 comments)
|
home inspections: It's Already Been Inspected, It'll Be Easy For You - 01/30/08 10:53 PM
That's what I was told by the listing agent when I began my inspection. She stated the house had fallen out of escrow. She also told me the only item pointed out was the water heater platform. I smiled and said, "That's great, it makes my job easier," but what I really … (6 comments)
|
home inspections: The Roof, The Roof, The Roof is on Fire... or at Least the Garage is. - 01/21/08 06:35 PM
I came across this last week during a home inspection. It's pretty obvious there was a fire in the Garage at some point. I guess the tenant has been there for 17-years and stated there's never been a fire. I'd have to disagree. I recommended the buyers contact the local or county … (14 comments)
|
home inspections: I can't see through walls... and I can't see though clutter either! - 11/16/07 06:50 PM
I had to post these pictures here because they really are unbelievable unless you see them. I have included some of these pictures in other blogs, but I have never put them all together. The pictures below are all from one house... and it was being lived in. This really shows … (13 comments)
|
home inspections: Why should I replace my old pool drain cover? - 11/16/07 06:32 PM
A common item I call out on older pools is the old drain covers. People don't realize just how strong the suction can be at a pool drain. It is enough that if someone touches it they may not be able to move their hand, or if someone with long hair … (9 comments)
|
home inspections: You finally got them evicted... now what? - 11/05/07 05:30 PM
I once did a home inspection right after a tenant was evicted. There was a lot of damage and a big mess left behind. I hope investors or anyone who has rental property has considered a home inspection after a tenant has been evicted to document any damage that has occurred. … (14 comments)
|
home inspections: How DORA THE EXPLORER hindered my home inspection! - 10/31/07 03:00 PM
I never expected Dora to try and hinder a home inspection... but it happened. She looks so sweet and informational on TV. I've even let my kids watch her show...
I don't try to get out of performing a professional and thorough home inspection. And I admit it, I can't see through walls and … (5 comments)
|
home inspections: Does Your Home Inspector Have a Ladder? - 10/25/07 06:07 PM
If so, do they use it? If so, do they walk on roofs, yes even tile roofs?
I got into a discussion with another home inspector about walking on roofs. He appears to be a good and qualified home inspector but disagreed that a consumer should be concerned if their home inspector … (11 comments)
|
;)
;)
