Ar_home_b_search
 

  The title of this blog is deceptive, down right silly -- if you know anything about the scope of a home inspection. Silly as that title above might be, it is apparent to any working inspector that some naive sellers are under the false impression that the home inspector comes to a house to do something as menial as performing a quick visual scan looking for any crooked pictures on the wall. I describe this to others as "people having a mistaken belief that we inspectors are there to pull out a torpedo level and put it on the picture frames to see which ones are cockeyed".

Seriously, I am amazed at the number of sellers who are surprised at the detail a good home inspector goes to. They drop their jaws when we remove the screws and the cover on the main electric panel, go into the attic and crawl space, open the furnace, test auto-reverse on the garage door, etc.  I know that many of these people have no clue as to the real duties and obligations of the home inspector. I think some of them are under the impression that we are more like the housekeeping police. Granted, if the place is a gritty pig pen we will say something on the report but, honestly, we are more concerned about systems and components than fair to middlin' housekeeping.

The fact people do not understand our role can, at times, be frustrating; for example, when two tons of steel is blocking the electric service panel so it cannot be opened; when six years of firewood blocks the crawl space entry; when the attic hatch is boarded over or blocked by clothes racks or canned food in a tiny closet or cupboard. This misconception about the role of a home inspector is only solved with education that can probably best come from the professional real estate agents. If agents, especially those for the seller, will tell their clients that the inspector needs to have access to certain critical areas, and is not going to get too wrapped up in internally debating the last time the curtains were ironed, it would make the whole process more efficient. It would make it great. We could all straighten up and fly right.

 

Message to self -- list that crooked picture as a serious cosmetic defect!

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

 

40 Comments on Home Inspection: It's All About Straightening The Pictures On The Wall

FEB
17
2008
Way to go Steve. The inspectors need to remind the realtors when preparing an inspection to have the sellers remove all obstacles from those hidden entry points! Happy Inspecting! Keith
4:01pm • #1
1,103,603 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Thanks Keith. Lucky you. I love Portland. Always have.
4:04pm • #2
296,965 Points 3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
Haha great blog steve. It amazes me when I tell people we are having a home inspection and they do not get ready by making sure all access spaces are available.
5:35pm • #3
1,103,603 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Thanks.

I just added a link at the bottom, that explains what an inspector needs to have access to. Anyone who wants, can send the link to this to their sellers and it should help out, no matter where they live.

5:37pm • #4
101,828 Points

That's great information, Steve!

I use the home inspection contingency itself to educate buyers and sellers about the home inspection.  The contingency in our state offer form identitfies a defect as  'a condition that would significanty shorten the life of the property, adversely impact the value of the property, or impair the health or safety of an occupant, if not repaired or replaced.'

I talk to clients about the home inspection as a tool to first discover major issues, and then to educate all involved.

Thank you for your link!      Laurie

5:49pm • #5
1,545,551 Points 416 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

It's amazing that we have to remind sellers that the home inspector needs access to all areas.

Of course, sellers that don't already know that probably purchased without a home inspection.

5:52pm • #6
405,912 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Dang, I was about to make an appointment with a home inspector to straighten my picture frames and artwork on the walls.

Sean Allen

5:53pm • #7
1,103,603 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Laurie, and others, you are doing a good service to your customers.

 

Sean, I can come down and do that for you, but need a plane ticket. Plastic levels get past the metal detector.

5:55pm • #8
749,816 Points 99 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
The only pictures I straighten are the ones covering the electric panel or the attic access that happens to be int the middle of the wallsmiley
6:10pm • #9
1,103,603 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Charlie,

 

Obviously you will never make it as a home stager too.

6:26pm • #10
749,816 Points 99 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Well I know you know about having a "home stagger."
6:33pm • #11
1,103,603 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog
And then Charlie Bull asks why he has no friends. Hmmmm?
7:06pm • #12
Outside Blog
I was attending one of my buyers' home inspections just 2 weeks ago.  Out of 20 or so items listed, we asked for 6 to be repaired, all of them more than "minor" issues.  The listing agent spent some time first griping about how long the inspector had been there doing the inspection, clearly "looking for issues to report", until they finally agreed to take care of the items we'd requested.  I must say I'd never heard that specific complaint before!
7:07pm • #13
1,156,707 Points 117 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
I have huge respect for the home inspectors I work with.  They go places and find things that are invaluable to my clients and my continued education as an agent.
7:21pm • #14
1,103,603 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Gretchen,

There are some agents like that. They want you in and out and to not note anything in the report. Most agents are not like that but a few seem to have little concern for their clients with the big concern being commission. I understand the need for commission but, even when all facts are on the table, most deals will close. It is not fair to want an inspector to withhold information from his or her client. Get the information out, then negotiate any changes.

7:22pm • #15
122,017 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog
LOL...if you are going to check the picture frames, can you also check to make sure all the walls, floor, and ceiling are level too? I was in a a two story house (when I was looking for my first home in Pennsylvania) that had settled on one end. You could feel how unlevel things were upstairs. You couldn't really tell downstairs. But I dropped a little toy ball upstairs that one of the kids had brought and it rolled down the hallway and into a bedroom corner. 
7:44pm • #17
289,211 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Good comments Steve, It sure would make things better if the listing agents would alert their sellers to what needs  to be available for inspection
7:45pm • #18
1,103,603 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Christy,

The ball is a good idea. I use a large ball bearing sometimes to find that very thing. Now, we would hope that the inspector would point out the settling. That is a real factor, as opposed to the pictures.

7:47pm • #19
1,103,603 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Michael,

Thanks for the comments. Hope all is going well for you in this new year

 

Steve

7:48pm • #20
329,806 Points 30 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Up here we keep trying to get the home inspectors to shovel the snow, but it never works. Good point you make here, and it's appreciated.

best 

7:50pm • #21
1,103,603 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Gary,

There is a time or two where I almost had to shovel snow just to get in to do the inspection. I would have done it for you!

7:52pm • #22
323,528 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Hi Steven - ah, if only agents would tell sellers that that kind of access is needed.  I've been on far too many inspections where clearly nothing like that was ever discussed with the sellers.  Then the sellers come home, find their stuff moved, even though we tried to put everything back exactly as they had it, and then they get annoyed that things were moved.  If that conversation had taken place ahead of time, it would certainly save some wear and tear for all involved.

Good point on this post!
Ann

8:11pm • #23
1,103,603 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Thanks Ann,

I always appreciate it when people have things cleared for the inspection. And it is great to know if there is some hidden device....like a second furnace in the attic.

8:22pm • #24
268,411 Points 7 Featured Posts Called Shot Master
Yeah I have used the just print off the generic report guys and the pros there is a difference just like realtors
10:34pm • #25
1,103,603 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Ross,

Lots of sellers hope that is what they are gonna get, the generic report on their house: clean the gutters, trim the bushes that touch the siding and miss everything else. Some inspectors do that, others actually try to do the job seriously every time.

10:46pm • #26
FEB
18
2008
277,828 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog
I always instruct sellers to clear the way for the inspector, especially at the heater and electric panel and hot water tanks, etc...  I also tell them to get the heater serviced and tagged.  Nothings worse than seeing an inspector pull out a crumpled, filthy filter that hasn't been changed in years.  Yuck!
12:20am • #27

Make sure you do disclose the crooked picture. The buyer may come back and accuse the builder of using studs that were not level, and want the builder, agents, inspector, broker, and anybody else with a pulse to pay for the repair. As long as you disclose, you're covered!

 

12:46am • #28
493,638 Points 222 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Steven - It's nice to see you getting a Gold Star! You've been a wonderfully consistent and valued contributor to our Community for quite a while. I have always enjoyed reading your stuff. Good Job!
1:24am • #29
Kudos to you for a helpful and informative post.  I had a home that went under contract last week and since it was almost brand new, I didn't think there would be any issues.  But, the inspector found a few important problems that needed to be resolved.  Now seller and buyer will be happy!
7:15am • #30
It may have been a silly title but it got me started reading. the good content got me to the end. Elaine
8:53am • #31
1,103,603 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Ardell,

 

Good for you. That is the way to handle it. No panic, just make sure the basics are covered for the client.

8:53am • #32
1,103,603 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Rich,

 

Thanks. I appreciate the comments. That phone call from you, when I got on here almost a year ago clarified the importance of this site and got me going. Always liked to write, so enjoy it very much. The train keeps a rollin'.

8:55am • #33
1,103,603 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Glidden, Diane, Elaine,

Appreciate your stopping in. As far as the new home, assuming a new home will have no problems sets a person up to be disappointed. Now, if they are professionally built I seldom find anything real big, but often a number of things best fixed by the builder and not the poor sap buying it.

8:57am • #34
749,816 Points 99 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Steve, if you hang all the pictures level won't that make all th floors and ceilings look sloped?  I sure do agree with you about access.  It is always a good idea to communicate with the buyer's agent so they can call the seller's agent to verify that personal belongings have been moved to get into the attic, crawl space, electrical panel etc.
9:30am • #35

Thanks for a great and informative post.  I'm still amazed at how many times I get asked "So the water really needs to be on" Well, only if you want a full inspection.  I always try to communicate to the sellers how important it is for me to have access to every area. 

 

12:08pm • #36
1,103,603 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Gregory,

Not sure if you are joking, or missed the point. I really mean that it is NOT about straightening the pictures, although selling and staging the house might be.

5:01pm • #38
405,759 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog
There have been several times hen an inspection is being done sellers are following you around like you're going to take something. I've had some where areas are closed off and when this happens i calmly stop the Inspection, call the listing agent and tell them what i've done. If i have to i will extend the days for the inspection until everything is accessible. I don't need my client coming back on me for anything.
6:05pm • #39
1,103,603 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Thanks for the comments. It can be pretty disorganized sometimes if people have no clue what you are really there for.
10:52pm • #40

This blog does not allow anonymous comments

 
Mason_for_ar Rainmaker_large

Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector

Bellingham, WA

More about me…

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc

Address: Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Sumas, Nooksack, Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Whatcom County, Bellingham, WA, 98225

Office Phone: (360) 676-6908

Cell Phone: (360) 319-0038

Email Me

Home inspection information designed to educate the real estate buyer and the real estate professional. Blog posts include general information and information specific to the Pacific Northwest region.


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog