| |
home inspection: Checklist - What to Look for BEFORE the Home Inspection - 04/06/09 10:06 PM
Since many deals seem to be falling through before getting to closing, I thought I would offer a quick checklist of items that Realtors can use to "pre-inspect" the home during their showings or pre-bid walkthroughs.
This is not to suggest that Realtors suddenly start doing the job of inspectors (hey - I LIKE my job!) but it IS a way for you to begin to set your clients expectations for a home before the inspection...and even before submitting a bid!
The following is not a complete or exhaustive list, but does give you a pretty good starting point for potential problems … (5 comments)
|
home inspection: Mold and Asbestos and Lead, Oh My! - 04/05/09 08:22 AM
Heading Off Environmental Concerns
Other scary words that have been known to spook buyers include:
Mold Asbestos Lead But each of these can be addressed with buyers long before an inspection if you recognize it for what it is and discuss the solutions with them. Quite frankly, some people are just panicked about these issues and no amount of education will get them past it - but at least you can present these issues before the bid is placed with a little observation and know-how.
MOLD:
If you see it, if you smell it - you have it.
Testing (which can … (2 comments)
|
home inspection: Pre-Inspecting the Home - 03/30/09 11:14 AM
"Pre-inspecting" the Home
Beat the Deal Killer to the Punch!
Some items that come up on an inspection are safety or code related issues that - when described by a Deal Killer - can scare even a sensible buyer out of a deal. How a buyer is educated about these problems will determine whether they run away from the deal or not.
Below is a list of commonly cited safety issues and their approximate cost to repair:
Double tapped breaker $100-200 each Missing GFCI outlet $40-50 each Ungrounded outlet $50-100/outlet or $250-500/circuit Missing TPR valve tube on water heater $10-50 Reverse … (1 comments)
|
home inspection: Using the Disclosure to Set Pre-Inspection Expectations - 03/28/09 06:53 PM
It takes an experienced inspector, skilled in communication to help educate a buyer about their home, taking care to address their concerns, and helping them understand that every ungrounded outlet is not a screaming death trap waiting to strike.
And, it takes a skilled and professional agent to help manage their client's expectations before the bid is accepted.
With that in mind, I am offering some strategies that help you:
Troubleshoot the home before the inspection, and even before the bid Set buyer expectations, and pre-educate them Understand the dreaded "Deal Killer" inspector and deal killing buyer and how to handle … (4 comments)
|
home inspection: How to Beat the “Deal Killer” and Save Your Deal (Part 1) - 03/26/09 09:08 PM
Lately, it seems that more and more deals are dying on the vine before ever getting to closing. Partly this is based on unreasonable expectations of buyers who feel emboldened to ask for outrageous concessions due to the market conditions.
First time buyers, nervous buyers, or buyers who want lobster at McDonald's prices seem to be driving the recent market.
As a home inspector who is an educator - very much NOT an alarmist - I have been stunned at how a simple description of the condition of an item as "fair" with normal "wear and tear" can be manipulated by … (2 comments)
|
home inspection: Why ALL Condo buyers should read the Association meeting minutes BEFORE buying - 04/07/08 11:12 AM
I know it goes beyond the scope of a traditional home inspection, but I like to include some value added services for my clients. I have mentioned before about little things I do like Appliance Recall Research, but a news story on the Local Fox station last night reinforced for me the importance of urging condo buyers to obtain and READ the meeting minutes from as many recent meetings of the Condo Association as they have access to.
The video is attached (gross out alert - it deals with raw sewage). In short, the condo owners pay over $160 per month to the Association … (7 comments)
|
home inspection: When is the best time to have a New Construction Home Inspected? - 03/18/08 07:47 AM
After my last blog I have had a LOT of interesting side conversations with Realtors about new construction inspections, building codes, and other such entertaining topics.
The one thing that seemed to be new to many Realtors was that new construction inspections are WAY MORE than just an inspection of the house a few days before closing. So, I thought I would expand the idea a little and add a few blogs detailing just what a new construction inspection is all about.
So, when is the right time to have your New Construction Home Inspected? Here is a little idea of what an … (7 comments)
|
home inspection: New deck fasteners to watch out for - 03/10/08 10:44 PM
Recently, I have seen builders using a product called "LedgerLok" fasteners to secure decks at the ledger board.
Where before the common practice was to use 1/2 inch lag bolts, now it is not all that unusual to see these screws in place.
Since I was ingorant about their installation, I called the manufacturer and talked to one of their techs to find out exactly how they should be installed to fulfill the manufacturer's claim that they are "Stronger than 1/2 inch lag bolts."
We did a rough approximation of a live load calculation and erred on the side of caution and safety (he … (7 comments)
|
home inspection: Free service to keep your loved ones (and clients!) safe - 03/10/08 10:19 PM
I have always been kind of a nut about safety. It's nerdy, I know, but it's just one of those things I can't help.
As a result, one of the services I have been including for my clients has been to run their appliances through the Consumer Product Safety Commission database to see if they were the subject of recalls.
It takes me about 15 minutes, and I offer it for free as a part of my inspection service.
Maybe it sounds basic or insignificant at first blush - but I have found 10 recalled appliances (ovens, ranges, dishwashers) and those clients were VERY … (5 comments)
|
home inspection: PGW problems? - 11/03/07 05:14 PM
OK, I understand it's getting colder, and now that everyone is firing up their heaters for the first time - problems are being discovered and PGW is overwhelmed.
Currently, I am told that they are 3 weeks (at least!) from initial call to connection (so those of you planning for connection of new service to new construction homes -PLAN ACCORDINGLY!)
More importantly (or as importantly, depending on your situation) I have inspected no less than 10 homes in the last 2 months with PGW disconnect tags. Most of them dated the same day of the inspection, or one day prior.
For those of you … (1 comments)
|
home inspection: 10 Low Cost Tips to Help you Weather Winter Heating Bills - 10/20/07 08:38 AM
I know, I know - it's been really warm. But I promise you, winter will come (I think). The bad news is that heating oil prices here are already over $2.60 per gallon, 40 cents more than this time last year. Experts predict that a 20% rise may be on the way before winter is over - that would mean prices over $3 per gallon!
With energy prices rising almost weekly, no matter what method you use to heat your home (well, except maybe solar and geothermal) it is sure to cost more to heat your home this year than it did … (11 comments)
|
home inspection: One size does NOT fit all - offer CHOICES! - 09/18/07 05:24 PM
Everyone knows that one size does NOT fit all.
But somehow, this point was lost on me as a businessman and home inspector until recently.
All homes are not the same. All buyers are not the same. So why do most inspectors offer a One Size Fits All Inspection for all clients?
This dawned on me a little while ago when speaking to two clients on the same day. The first, was a young couple buying their first home, with a little one on the way. Money was a concern for them and they wanted a thorough inspection to ensure they were getting … (12 comments)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph Michalski - PA Home Inspector
Souderton,
PA
More about me…
Sherlock Homes Inspections
Office Phone: (215) 620-5308
Cell Phone: (215) 620-5308
Email Me
Honest answers and advice to consumers and other Real Esate professionals from the area's top home inspector.
 Links
Archives
|
;)
;)
