central massachusetts home inspector: Wrong reason for a home inspection.
- 03/31/09 03:13 PM
I remember my first week as an associate home inspector, that is Massachusetts lingo for Rookie. I had traveled with seasoned veterans for about 6 months and had seen several inspections by that time, but this was only my third as a solo inspector. Usually, young home buyers would bring an older friend or relative along, not to second guess the inspector, but for moral support or perhaps to help explain some of systems on the house. In this case, the buyer came with his son, a law student at an Ivy League institution of higher learning. It didn't take me long … (2 comments)
central massachusetts home inspector: as of today, all is well
- 03/30/09 06:11 AM
We are almost through the first quarter of 2009, and so far, all is well. It has been a long and sometimes difficult winter with snow storms, ice storms, power outages for extended periods of time, excessive misappropriation of tax payer funds, etc. Even though it rained most of the day yesterday and is still raining today, and even though I have no inspections booked for today or tomorrow, I still remain optimistic. There is no snow on the ground, the grass is starting to turn green, March Madness and spring training are in full swing, opening day for baseball is … (2 comments)
central massachusetts home inspector: Do the inspekter kummyoonikate good?
- 03/28/09 12:13 PM
Lets face it, there is no such thing as a perfect home. After all, all houses are built in an imperfect world under imperfect conditions with imperfect materials and by imperfect people. When you really think about it, they don't stand a chance of being perfect. Having said that, many home inspectors are under the impression that their responsibility is to focus only on and magnify the flaws to such a degree that their client runs away fearing for their very lives. Sad but true. How many inspectors do you know that take pride in killing deals. How many others … (5 comments)
central massachusetts home inspector: Does my new construction house need to be inspected?
- 03/05/09 06:46 AM
Missing roof shingles; Missing siding; Leaking boiler; A deck that is not flashed or bolted to the house; A bathtub drain not hooked up; Improperly wired breakers; Improperly vented attic space; Leaking dishwasher; Leaking toilet; Hole in the shower; Broken windows and doors; No water pressure in the tub/shower; Non- functioning heating system; What do all of these defects have in common? They were all issues that were uncovered on brand new construction. There are still some people who recognize the need for a professional home inspection on new construction, and these are just a few of the items that I can remember from … (3 comments)
central massachusetts home inspector: Do you love what you do?
- 03/04/09 12:23 AM
I believe it was Confucius who said "Choose a job that you love and you will never have to work a day in your life." While I have always had a vague understanding of what that meant, it's meaning was really driven home to me recently as I was standing in line waiting to pay for my morning caffeine fix. There were 2 men at the counter ahead of me who obviously knew each other. I overheard one of them say that he just got back from vacation, and it really sucks to go back to work after having a week … (6 comments)
central massachusetts home inspector: What is a home inspector, and why do I need one?
- 03/03/09 12:19 AM
As an industry, home inspection is still in it's infancy. True, there may be some inspectors with 20 to 30 years of experience as a home inspector, but you likely will not find a company that is in it's 3rd or 4th generation. Licensing and certification laws vary widely from state to state, many states have no regulations as of yet. As a result, there is a widespread misunderstanding about who we are and what we do. Many people have ideas or opinions about what a home inspection should include and what you can expect to take away from one. I … (0 comments)
central massachusetts home inspector: Bank owned properties and home inspections
- 02/19/09 12:24 PM
Unless you have been under a rock for the past 2 to 3 years, you most likely have heard that the housing market has hit a bit of a slump. As a result, many areas of the country have seen a tremendous increase in the number of foreclosures and short sales. This has brought the cost of housing down to a somewhat manageable area for many people and young families are finding themselves in a position to realize their piece of the American dream. The problem is, many people do not recognize the value of a home inspection on a foreclosed … (3 comments)
central massachusetts home inspector: The Grim Reaper
- 02/18/09 03:42 AM
I recently read an on-line article about how to select the best home inspector. One of the writers tips was to talk to several Realtors in the area and find out from them which inspectors have the reputation for killing deals. The name that comes up the most is the one you should choose because, evidently they are the best at what they do. The basic premise is, if a home inspector kills the most deals, he must be the best inspector. They are somehow equating killed deals as success, much like the statisticians in a sports league determine the best players … (2 comments)
central massachusetts home inspector: The internet, a tremendous wealth of (mis)information
- 02/15/09 12:27 AM
I was recently inspecting a home for a young couple who were buying their first home. At one point during the inspection, I overheard the buyers father explain to his son how to do something. I can't give any more information about that because, since the topic was not related in any way to the house or to the inspection, I really didn't pay much attention to what they were talking about. I didn't put much thought into the discussion until I heard the father say that he got this information on the internet, and remarked that it has a wealth … (8 comments)
central massachusetts home inspector: Licensed inspector versus knowledgeable relative.
- 02/11/09 07:09 AM
When choosing a home inspector, is it better to look for licensing or certification, or can you do just as well if not better by asking a friend or relative look over the house for you? Lets look briefly at all options. Certification: There are many national organizations that offer certification to their members, ASHI, NAHI, InterNACHI, and SPREI, just to name a few. Membership in these organizations can be very beneficial in states that do not have licensing laws or guidelines. In order to belong to some of these groups, you must prove professional competence, maintain continuing education requirements, … (8 comments)
central massachusetts home inspector: Ice dams are caused by what?
- 02/08/09 12:50 AM
I would like to begin this blog entry with a pop quiz. Sorry I didn't give you any warning, but this should not be too hard. It consists of just one question, and it is a multiple choice. The question is; What is the cause of ice dams? A. Blocked rain gutters. B. Vagrant Squirrels. C. Congress. (This may be a viable option regardless of which party is in control.) D. El Nino. E. Ice. If you picked A, congratulations, but you are wrong, along with everyone else who thinks that they are the cause of ice dams. The correct answer of course … (3 comments)
central massachusetts home inspector: I am glad that the Patriots aren't playing.
- 01/31/09 09:39 AM
It's that time of year again, the time when grown men around the world settle back into their E-Z Chairs with a beer in one hand and chicken wings in the other for the opportunity to act like children for one last time. Or at least until another season rolls around. They will get to their honey-do lists next weekend, but tomorrow is Super Bowl Sunday. Many will watch for the thrill of the game, others will watch to see the overpriced and often overhyped commercials, still others will watch just to be part of the crowd. Being from … (5 comments)
central massachusetts home inspector: FSBO's; A home inspectors perspective
- 01/29/09 12:19 AM
I'm all for ways to save a few bucks here and there, after all, I am a self proclaimed cheapskate. But I feel that there are some things that are best left to professionals. Brain surgery is one example, allow me to go on record and say that you should never attempt to do this yourself. Plumbing and electrical repairs and upgrades are best left in the hands of the experts as well, and in my case, auto repairs. Once i tried to save money by installing a new stereo system. after 8 Hours of anger inducing labor, I finally relented and took … (5 comments)
central massachusetts home inspector: How much is that bulldog in the window?
- 01/26/09 01:52 PM
I typically have 2 types of people call my office, 3 if you count telemarketers, but who counts them? The first type is a prospective client who needs a house inspected and they have heard from a friend or a relative that I am the only inspector worth calling. It doesn't happen as often as I would like, but sometimes it does happen. They call to book an inspection and, often times, they never even consider the cost. They understand the value of a thorough inspection and are willing to pay whatever I ask for, no questions asked. The second type is … (5 comments)
I remember my first week as an associate home inspector, that is Massachusetts lingo for Rookie. I had traveled with seasoned veterans for about 6 months and had seen several inspections by that time, but this was only my third as a solo inspector. Usually, young home buyers would bring an older friend or relative along, not to second guess the inspector, but for moral support or perhaps to help explain some of systems on the house. In this case, the buyer came with his son, a law student at an Ivy League institution of higher learning. It didn't take me long … (2 comments)
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