Do you read the Boston Globe? Did you see Sunday's Globe Magazine? Lisa Provost wrote an article called "The Price Chopper". This piece talks about buyers using a home inspection as a negotiating tool, and how the sales people feel when this occurs. I disagree with much of what this article says. Here's why:
The article mentions "imperfections" that could be fixed but don't have to be fixed - a leaky faucet, a sticking door, a slanted porch. Well, if I'm buying a home I want the plumbing to work correctly - all of it. If a tub was installed with a stopper it should still be there and it ought to work properly. If the home has doors with hinges and lock sets, they should work correctly. A slightly slanting porch? Was it built that way? If not, it's failing and needs repair.
As I tell my clients, a small repair is not usually a big deal. A 3 page list of small repairs can be a very big deal. 25 repairs that will cost $200 each to fix adds up fast. Do the math. More importantly, a list of repairs like this is indicative of one thing; neglect. Now we all have to remember that there is a difference between normal aging and neglect. Everything ages over the years. That doesn't mean that they fall apart and fail.
I realize that this will not win me any favors from the real estate community but I firmly believe that an inspector has an obligation to educate his client. They deserve to know the entire story of the property they are considering purchasing.
And here's something to think about.... why don't listing agents have these homes inspected before they go on the market? Wouldn't that save a lot of trouble at the last minute? You agents know that we will be there "picking the home apart". Why sabotage your deal? Get it looked at early on in the sale process. Fix the deficiencies or at least disclose them. Everyone's life would be easier.
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