Finally, a reasonable client

When inspectors put on their "inspector's hat", we have to remain impartial and objective. We are not supposed to let our personal feelings get in the way, or try to lead the client one way or the other. Sometimes we really have to bite our tongues.

I have been on some inspections, and within ten minutes I knew that if it was daughter buying the house, I would drag her to the car. I have been on others when it wasn't until the end that it was obvious (to me anyway) that the buyers should walk.

I have been on some where the buyer stopped me, said there was just too many things wrong, and I would have been comfortable with my daughter living in the house. Just different levels of comfort, and different thresholds for pain.

I once inspected a house that was sliding down a hill. There were very large cracks in the walls (masonry house). When I say large, I'm talking 3" - 4" wide. There were cracks on the right side, cracks in the front, cracks on the left side, and cracks in the back. It was horrible. I wondered why I was even there. Forget the blankets of mold in the basement. 

I went to the buyer and told her that I had some serious concerns about the structure, and I was going to recommend she get a structural engineer to look at it, and develop a plan for repair. She said she had owned an older house before, and had dealt with structural problems before with help from a engineer friend. I told her she had better call him. "Oh, he died a few years ago". When she talked to me, she didn't look me in the eye, she sort of looked toward the side, or down. I again told her there were significant structural issues that needed an engineer. She then said that she had used caulk to fix cracks before and she thought she would do that again. All I could do was try to make the report as clear as I could and hope she took the time to read it. I'm sure she bought the house anyway.

Which brings me to my client today. I'm going to inspect an 11 year old house in foreclosure. The water, gas and electric is OFF. The previous owners have stripped light fixtures and plumbing fixtures and left wires hanging. It looks like it has either been added on to a few times, or was really poorly planned. The floors slope, there are stains all over, there are damaged walls in every room. After I found some fairly significant framing problems I brought her and her uncle around to look. After showing them my concerns, I told her I was going to get my ladder to go into the attic and onto the roof. She said, "You should just stop. I have seen enough. This is more than I imagined (damage and work to be done) and I don't need to take on this type of project. Nancy (her Realtor) can show me more properties, and I will find something that fits my needs. Thanks you so much for your time."

I really admire someone that knows their limitations, and has realistic expectations. She'll find another house, and I'll probably inspect it for her.