Real Estate Blog - Please leave the keys...Another Thought Provoker by Carl Wintrs

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Please leave the keys...Another Thought Provoker by Carl Wintrs

Dear Home Owner

Please leave the keys

Do you really want to sell your home?

I have a request for everyone that has been notified that the Home Inspector is coming, leave the keys or unlock the areas so that we can do a Complete Inspection of the Property.

Please Please Please

Unlock Your Outbuldlings, Storerooms or leave the KEY

If outbuildings are locked the Home Inspector can not get in to do the inspection, which will mean a return trip and another service charge.

A Reminder From Your Friendly Home Inspector 09/21/09 Carl Winters, Advanced Inspector #3630 ---------------------------

Carl Winters, Advanced Inspector, #3630.Certified by Texas Real Estate Commission

Carl's Blogs: localism.com/neighbor/realestateinspector www.home-inspection4u.com

Since 1994 * Your Home Inspection Specialist * Serving the Texas Hill Country

Complete Inspection Service

Posted by Carl & Ceil Winters Texas Hill Country Home Inspector on 09/21/2009 08:51 PM

Comments (21)

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21 Comments on Please leave the keys...Another Thought Provoker by Carl Wintrs

SEP

I am sure you have probably had to go through something like that which is why you wrote a blog about it. It can be pretty frustrating. If you want to sell your house,just leave your keys. That's not too much to ask for. Great post.

Lanre thanks for stopping. I think sometimes they just don't realize all the little things they need to do. This definitely just be on their checklist of things to do.

Howdy there Carl and Ceil

Carl- it sure is not at all fun, when your in the middle of doing an Inspection for a client. And come along a locked door of some kind, of an area that we need to be able to get in to. In my area alot of the Inspections that I do, are 60 miles or more away and thats oneway. Mighty fine tip for home sellers and the listing agent!

Baker Home Inspection and Consulting AR Signature

Looking for the key to an electrical box in 100+ degree weather is no fun. I can relate to the frustration.

SEP

Oh, Don't forget to unlock your crawl spaces and exterior electrical panels. But then, we do have bolt cutters and we do not purchase new locks ☺...

Helping you live your American dream...

Dale I well understand, I also have to travel a long way and each trip is time and money.

Michael - Yes Sir we have all been there and it is frustrating.

Have a good day. Its raining here this morning so I get to go play in the rain. No complaining on this one we need the rain.

SEP

Yes . . . what is up with that? And what is up with using a cobo lockbox and forgetting to put the combo on the MLS? And, what is up with having access to the key but then the seller locks the screen door, so you do not have access to the door knob?

We have the same issue. Good luck!

I see that all the time where the key for the front door is available but not the keys to the shed, crawl spaces, garages, etc. We need to see these when we are showing the properties too.

Carl & Ceil - I've been fortunate enough and an inspector has never been unable to gain access to anything, but this is a great reminder. I think most people just forget.

Stacey - If someone has not ever sold a home sometimes they need a little help in getting organized.

Michelle - I always ask them when they call to schedule but they get busy and forget to unlock or leave the keys. Just as I always ask if they have any pets, sure don't want any surprises.

Melissa & Cassi - It sure is frustrating when these things happen. We are fortunate that 99% of them do remember. Thanks for stopping.

Hi Carl...That has happened to me more than once and creates such a problem. Good reminder to us to make sure when we are going to have an inspection done where there are these outbuildings to alert the listing agent that we need access to them. Crawl spaces are another issue. Sometimes they have separate locks and different keys then the house.

Kate

Carl:

I always tell the homeowner that I need access to the ENTIRE property, inside and out, and invariably I am denied access to one area or another about once a month.

Occasionally, upon a second visit, I find evidence of something that should not have been there (such as an illegal kitchen, apartment, rooming house, etc.)

Hi Carl, I've been there and it isn't fun. Everyone wants to get inspections done all at once and it is aggravating for all to have to return because you can't get into a shed or locked storage area.

The "key" is to leave ALL they keys.... to everything that is locked... OR just unlock 'em!!!! URGH!!!! I feel ya!

Diane

Kathleen: Sometimes they forget and sometimes they may not want a certain area inspected for some reason or other.

Jesse: That is what I just said to Kathleen, sometimes they don't want somethings. It is my job to inspect everything the buyer has requested me to do and I don't like to have to go back because some areas were left locked.

Barb: Last year the owner had a son that lived in the house, he worked at night and would be sleeping during the day, I thought we would never get it arranged so I could do the inspection.

Diane - It takes everyone working together to try and cover all bases. Sometimes the home owner feels that we invading their privacy.

OCT

I know that I always call and remind the sellers and their agents about the upcoming inspection about 6 hours beforehand. Then there is no excuse for limited access. It has worked well for me.

Akron, Ohio

Thomas: That is great that you do that. I also try to do the same thing but sometimes working folks are in a hurry in the morning to get out of the house and forget.

OCT

Do you not have Realtors, buyers, or sellers at your home inspections? Out here it seems that the home inspection is almost like a house-warming party.

OCT

Jim: I wish more realtors would show up for the inspections. Many folks are moviong here from your state and are not able to attend the inspection. Always depends on the situation.

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