The Home Inspection 9 - Do you feel panicked or prepared?

Inspectors tend to be analytical. Their world is the world of beetles and bugs, rodents and rotten wood. They are looking for the frayed wire, the cracked foundation, the failing circuit and the clogged drain.
The Home Inspection 9 - Do you feel panicked or prepared?
You are paying them to find problems. Every house has problems. They would feel like they had not earned their fee if they did not produce a list of problems.

Remember, an old house has been there 100 years (or however long). It hasn’t crumbled into the dirt. It hasn’t burned to the ground. It hasn’t fallen over in the storm.

I have bought many severe fixers over the years and fixed them up to sell or rent. My experience has taught me that all problems can be fixed. It is just a matter of how much it costs to fix them. I have replaced foundations. Taken out brick chimneys that have no support underneath. Gutted and replaced many kitchens and bathrooms. Put in a new electrical panel and replaced every electrical wire in the house. I have replaced countless roofs.
The Home Inspection 9 - Do you feel panicked or prepared?
Often the inspector makes it sound like, “If those wires are not replaced RIGHT NOW the house will catch on fire.” Really? But it is 100 years old (for example) and it has not caught on fire up to this point. But suddenly, today, you are declaring that it is going to catch on fire RIGHT NOW, if it is not fixed? Really??

To follow that theme: If this breaker box is not completely replaced RIGHT NOW the house is in danger of burning to the ground! Granted. The Zinsco electrical panels were recalled. They do not make them any more. There have been cases of failure. There have been cases of fire breaking out. As many as 25% have failed. However, this house was built in 1972 (for example). It has had a Zinsco panel every day of its existence. It has never burned to the ground. It is still standing today. Should you replace the Zinsco panel before closing? Yes. Is it a cause for panic? No!
The Home Inspection 9 - Do you feel panicked or prepared?
At a recent inspection it was pointed out that the owner had cut a hole in the door leading to the garage to put in a swinging plastic pet door for the dog. That does present a hazard. Most fires start in the garage. Because of this, the law stipulates that the door between the garage and the house must be solid core, must be self closing and self latching, and must be fire rated for 20 minutes. So having a big hole in the garage door completely undoes all those protections. But the way it was presented, the new buyers would be in mortal danger unless that door was replaced RIGHT NOW!! (The door was replaced)

You want your inspector to be thorough. You want your inspector to be extremely knowledgeable. You want your inspector to inform you, not only of glaring problems, but also of potential problems.
The Home Inspection 9 - Do you feel panicked or prepared?
But the inspectors I use present all this information well. The prospective homeowner has all the knowledge to make good decisions. But the inspector doesn’t throw them in a panic because everything is presented as life or death failures.

In summary:
1. A good inspector is thorough, knowledgeable and competent.
2. A good inspector should point out all areas of issue, including things that are dangerous, things that may fail soon, and things that should be watched for failure at a future date.
3. A good inspector should empower you with the information to make good decisions without using scare tactics to put you in an emotional state of panic.

 

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The Phil Leng Team

206-409-6600

pleng@kw.com

http://www.ilovekirkland.org

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5 Comments on The Home Inspection 9 - Do you feel panicked or prepared?

DEC
07
2010
297,704 Points 20 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Agreed!  Sometimes it is so hard because they are the "expert".  A balancing act indeed.
8:54am • #1
370,361 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Phil: If you sre in my area-  I would most DEFINIELTLY be referring to you. Happy Holidays. Gay
8:56am • #2
Attended Rain Camp

Phil,

  Very informative blog. I enjoyed reading it. I try to tell my Buyers that the inspectors job is to point out possible problems and then you, as the buyer, must decide what is most important to be repaired. Some items must be fixed for the lender. Others may not be a problem now, but could be in the future.

Jason King

www.JKingProperties.com
8:59am • #3
13 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp

Phil - well written and right on.  As an inspector, I find that it is crucial to put the findings in perspective for the buyers.  The garage entry door issue is also one of possible carbon monoxide enering the home as well, and important to have corrected but not a "red flag" issue.  Nice work!!
10:33am • #4
DEC
10
2010
277,340 Points 4 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

A good inspector is worth their weight in gold.  I have had some deals fall through because of the items that had been written up; but that doesn't bother me.  I like when my clients get the best possible information. :) Gail
6:12am • #5


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Phil Leng Team Residential Real Estate Experts & Bank Owned Property Experts

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