Is Anyone Listening?

Oh I'm sure many do not make the changes.  Many intend to and then the move is so traumatic and overwhelming that they never get to all the stuff they planned to.  Then they get busy.  Then, they forget.

Good morning James. Your point is well taken and I think it important to listen to the inspector or why bother to have one. It seems today it is largely a negotiating tool. Too bad.

Hi James - Wow! I guess I'm part of a small group. If the items listed by the home inspector haven't been fixed before my home purchase, it becomes part of my priority list of repairs to make when I move in. It seems silly to have an inspection and then ignore important items highlighted by the inspector's report.

I HEAR you!  ;-)

I had a client call me the other day, for whom I did an inspection FIVE years ago, asking me who to call to repair the items on their report as they are selling their house.

They thought I remembered all the items too...

I was thinking about the very same thing the other day.  I think the stuff that comes out of my mouth and head is pretty valuable stuff but I guess out of sight out of mind for most people.

Job security for us I guess and the more us inspectors are heeded to more valuable we are.

Hey James-I think what the buyers hear is the sound of a calculator figuring out how much of a discount they are going to try and get off of the contract. If it is major it gets fixed like a roof leak or cracks. Stuff in the walls like above described very often get ignored.

Jim, the funniest story like that that I have is during the first year I was an inspector I found an electrical wire crossing a ridge cap that was completely worn through to the bare wire.  The electrician called me from that house to tell me how great he thought my report was.  The wire is still on the ridge cap to this day:)  I would bet that the vast majority of stuff never gets fixed.  Most water related issues do however.

I'm sorry, James.  Did you say something?  ;P

Jim,

Is this not human nature? It would be interesting to see what percentage of items that found actually get addressed in the first year.

James they hear you just - many just don't listen.  Big difference.  [Just like kids!]  Makes you wonder why they bother paying for an inspection doens't it

Mr James,

I assures you that, no matter how sweet the sounds, some folks just do not listen to the music.

Wheatloaf

Clients do hear the inspector, and they read the reports.  I find in many cases they do not have the skills required to make the repairs and can not afford or do not want to spend the money to have the repairs completed.

I just ran across something similar about two months ago, for the first time ever.  There were a bunch of stickers on outlets that said "reverse polarity".  I thought "Cool!  What a great idea!"  Then I thought "I would never take the time to do that..."

James, All you can do is lead the horse to water. After that it is up to the horse.

Jim- So true - maybe as real estate agents, we should remind our buyers to do these repairs after they have moved in - maybe a 2 months later reminder to look over the report?

See you Tuesday at 2, by the way!  Full inspection, minus radon,

Unfortunately, some of those same people don't make the repairs, and then call back months or years later complaining of a failure, and want to blame you.