We all know a glass half empty kind of person. You know the type; you say it's a beautiful day and they point to one cloud in the sky and say it's going to rain. They complain they have the worst luck and nothing ever goes right for them. You just want run away and leave them and their dark cloud behind.
Home inspectors I think are looked at as kind of negative people. We are hired to look for the negatives, but that doesn't necessarily mean we are negative people. The old adage of; it's not what you say but how you say it, is especially applicable to the home inspector. The key to pointing out those home inspection negatives is a good, unbiased explanation by the inspector.
No one likes a Chicken-Little-The-Sky-Is-Falling kind of inspector. On the other hand the No-Problem-Everything's-Fine guy isn't any better.
A house can have some negativity to it as well. Like our sullen friend it can be unpleasant and in some extreme cases deadly to be around.
On one recent inspection I found a mildly annoying and a potentially deadly case of negativity.
The first instance was under the kitchen sink. Most people understand the concept of gravity. Based on that knowledge we know water runs down hill. However it would seem that the installer of this sink drain is in disagreement with Sir Isaac Newton.
The second case was found in the basement. This problem was much more alarming as it could be potentially deadly.
The flue pipe for the gas fired water heater was pitched downward. The entire installation had several flaws which is a sure sign someone other than a professional installed the unit.
So you see a house can have some negativity residing inside its four walls. But as long as those mechanical negatives are addressed a negative house then becomes a job for the Feng Shui practitioner.
It's a good thing you were hired to inspect this house. It's clear you are on the ball and uncovered some very real negativity. Those pictures are good examples of what our buyers need to be wary of.
Years back I knew an agent who, in questioning me about whether she would refer me or nto, wanted to know just how negative I would be. She thought it wrong to call bad plumbing, no matter how much shoe-goo was used as long as it was not leaking. She, of course, would not have been the one answering my phone after closing when the problems started showing up.
Knowing all the negatives from an inspection is definitely a POSITIVE!! Sort of like early detection of cancer. I try to stay away from the Johnny Rain Cloud people. :)
James, sometimes house present with so many negatives that all I can say is---"well if you don't want such a long list give me something to inspect with a shorter list":)
Similar to some credit histories - when the positive thing to be said is that it going to take some elbow grease and a change in habit to get a mortgage. it takes a professional to address the reality with an action plan whether it is the drain, venting or credit history. Nothing negative about that!
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We all know a glass half empty kind of person. You know the type; you say it's a beautiful day and they point to one cloud in the sky and say it's going to rain. They complain they have the worst luck and nothing ever goes right for them. You just want run away and leave them and their dark cloud behind.
No one likes a Chicken-Little-The-Sky-Is-Falling kind of inspector. On the other hand the No-Problem-Everything's-Fine guy isn't any better.
The second case was found in the basement. This problem was much more alarming as it could be potentially deadly.
;)
;)
Unbelievable James!
It's a good thing you were hired to inspect this house. It's clear you are on the ball and uncovered some very real negativity. Those pictures are good examples of what our buyers need to be wary of.
Nice post.