home inspections: San Diego home inspections with Russel Ray: I can't inspect what I can't get to - 11/20/09 03:17 PM
Most home inspectors don't inspect, test, or even mention personal appliances other than to say that they were not inspected or tested.
There typically are two reasons for this:
Personal appliances don't usually convey with the property.
Home inspector insurance doesn't cover us for inspecting or testing personal appliances.
Personal appliances … (10 comments)
home inspections: You people are going to put me out of business! - 11/15/09 05:10 AM
Is it the economic climate? The real estate climate? Has anyone else noticed that Seller disclosure statements seem to be getting more useful?
Back in the olden days, every time I saw a Seller's Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS), it was like the Sellers had chosen to speak no evil, see … (7 comments)
home inspections: Why didn't you inspect the refrigerator? - 11/06/09 09:29 AM
As with everything in life, it's always best to shop around. That includes shopping for a home inspector to do your home inspection.
There are many trade associations for home inspectors, some national and some state. While all of the trade associations have similar Standards of Practice, not all trade … (10 comments)
home inspections: Turning a competitor's bad home inspection into an education - 11/03/09 08:58 PM
Last Thursday I got a call inquiring about whether I could do a home inspection on Friday.
Since Friday was my first anniversary, and I told the caller so, I suggested doing it on Saturday, but he really wanted it done on Friday, so I passed.
Monday I got a … (10 comments)
home inspections: Gotta love those helpful Clients! - 10/27/09 07:54 PM
My two favorite types of Clients are those who know nothing, like first-time home buyers, and those who are quite knowledgeable, like attorneys, Realtors, and home inspectors.
(It's the ones who have a little knowledge who can be dangerous -- LOL.)
I've heard some other inspectors say that they would … (14 comments)
home inspections: You can do home maintenance and party at the same time! - 10/24/09 12:19 PM
Because San Diego is a desert that often is subject to high temperatures, many people install the new vinyl multipane windows in their homes to help insulate them from the heat, as well as outdoor noise.
The latest generation of vinyl multipane windows are pretty neat because it's possible to … (16 comments)
home inspections: How to keep that pesky home inspector at bay..... - 10/17/09 10:02 AM
Since home sales seem to be picking up around the nation, following are some helpful hints if you're a Seller, and some helpful hints for your Seller if you're the agent.
This list is San Diego specific, so modify as necessary for your area. Don't do something that you're not comfortable doing; … (32 comments)
home inspections: Shhhhhhhhhhhh.... Don't tell anyone. This is between you and me. - 10/08/09 09:45 PM
Sometimes the water is turned off in foreclosures.
We're under a Level 2 Drought Alert.
We're being encouraged to save water.
Water districts are telling us, "If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down."
When you have to go, you have to go.
If you have … (18 comments)
home inspections: Other uses for chimneys.... - 10/06/09 10:42 PM
Occasionally when I do a home inspection, I'll find that some cable or antenna person -- or the home owner -- has attached a large antenna or satellite dish to the side of the chimney.
Chimneys generally are not designed or engineered to have other things attached to them, and … (10 comments)
home inspections: Can you tell me the R value of the attic insulation? - 10/05/09 06:24 PM
No, I can't.
Oh, how I hate to say no.
But sometimes there is no other answer.
Here in San Diego, many attics are full of storage items. Even then, though, one can usually see a small portion of the attic floor to see whether or not it has fiberglass … (11 comments)
home inspections: Foto Friday exposé: A journey to the boondocks.... - 10/02/09 07:36 PM
I love going out to the boondocks to do home inspections.
If I leave early enough and take a leisurely drive along the winding mountain roads, I'm sure to see some interesting wildlife. Some have names, like these wild turkeys:
Or these young deer:
You can even find … (18 comments)
home inspections: Memories at ActiveRain: The four-hour blog post - 10/01/09 09:49 PM
One of the main reasons why I joined the ActiveRain community and endeavor (endeavour for my Canadian Friends) to blog persistently and consistently is so that I can help other people, possibly beyond just being a home inspector in my own local area.
Previously to my tenure here, I had … (8 comments)
home inspections: San Diego home inspection FAQs: What's the best way to find repair persons? - 09/29/09 11:45 AM
This post is part of my series on frequently asked questions about San Diego home inspections. For others in the series, click here.
Immediately after I get asked if I will do repairs on a property, to which I answer no, I get asked this question:
What's the best … (5 comments)
home inspections: Would you park YOUR car there? - 09/25/09 10:33 AM
Whenever I do an inspection in a condominium complex, I always tell my Clients to get involved in their Owners' Association. Some do, some most don't. Those who do sometimes call or email me to let me know something specific about what their Owners' Association is doing. Such is the case this … (19 comments)
home inspections: More about that interesting garage conversion - 09/24/09 04:47 AM
It's not easy stumping the masses here at ActiveRain, but I do have a little extra surprise in store for those who read my previous post about a garage conversion.
Even though closets and carpeting had been added to the garage, the garage door was left in place, along with … (11 comments)
home inspections: Can you help identify this material so I don't have to disclaim it in my inspection report? - 09/23/09 08:42 PM
Home inspectors might be the best professionals at disclaiming things they don't know about, or disclaiming things that their errors & omissions insurance doesn't cover, or disclaiming things that require a licensed professional in a different profession.
Here in sunny San Diego, most of our residential structures have the exterior … (9 comments)
This post is part of my series on "frequently asked questions" about home inspections. For others in the series, click here.
One question that is a source of contention in the home inspection industry is whether or not it is okay if the inspection report is provided to … (10 comments)
home inspections: Older houses in earthquake country - 09/10/09 05:50 AM
One of the problems of older homes here in San Diego -- "older" being defined as built prior to 1940 -- is that the house structure itself quite often is not attached to the foundation. What this means in practicality is that an earthquake can literally shake the house off … (7 comments)
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Most home inspectors don't inspect, test, or even mention personal appliances other than to say that they were not inspected or tested.
;)
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