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I'm the fourth inspector. Really ?

By Clint Mckie

Home Inspector with Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections 10072923

October 12, 2011 12:06 AM

I'm the fourth inspector. Really ?

When I got the call about a home inspection in my competitor's back yard, I thought great. My competition is always coming to town and inspecting here, so why not go there and do a job close to his office.

The family is relocating and needs a home inspection to verify that there are "no Problems" with the home.

I found a few issues that were not found by the first three inspectors.

Vent missing louvers.

I know this does not look like a big deal, but when it do'es rain, it will let the rain in. Need to repair or replace the vent.

No "B" vent to water heater stack.

In this picture is a water heater stack. A simple "single pipe" with no protection from the heat transfer to the structure of the home. And yes the flue ring was hanging down when I took the picture.

This unfinished trim at the window was a sore spot for the owner. She claimed that the "other inspectors found nothing". And now I come in wanting to tear her house apart. Well now first of all, I don't "tear things apart to inspect a home".

Second of all, "I only list defects that are defects".

After getting the report she was very mad. She said the Realtor wants her to repair the home before they list it on the market for sale. I got a call from the seller, she wanted to tell me she was not very happy with the report. Now she has to repair the home and it will cost her a lot of money. The report was a lenghty one. A full page of defects.

Being the "fourth inspector". And the first to write up these defects, makes you wonder what the "other inspectors" are really doing.

Have a great day every one.

Best, Clint McKie, Desert Sun Home Inspections Carlsbad, New Mexico. 1-575-706-5586

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Kristine Ginsberg

Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ

NJ Home Stager

Client - it tells you the other inspectors where thoroughly doing their job and maybe it's a case of people hire them to look the other way at certain defects. If I were a buyer I'd certainly see everyone of these issues as defects and want all of them addressed. Good for you being honest and doing your job!

Oct 12, 2011 01:13 AM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Kristine,

Look at the bigger picture here. If i inspect a home for a buyer or seller. I know I am doing the job I was hired to do.

No matter who I might make mad. Even if it costs me client's in the future. Why should it cost me client's any way? They hired me to do a job and I did it. Too bad if they had "issues".

Have a great day In New Jersey.

Best, Clint Mckie

Oct 12, 2011 01:21 AM

Keith Gilkey

Re/Max Chesapeake - Elkton, MD

410-920-7214, Re/Max Chesapeake

Clint, This is no surprise to me! Not all inspectors are the same! Good job and have a nice day.

Oct 12, 2011 01:24 AM

Ginny Gorman

RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI

Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Clint, you did good! I can't believe the other inspectors are so clueless...she is shopping for a clean report! not going to happen here...

Oct 12, 2011 01:50 AM

Al Raymondi

Ocean View Realty Group in Ormond By The Sea Florida - Ormond Beach, FL

Ormond By The Sea Florida - Home and Condo Sales

Nice story Clint. Interesting that you are hired to report any defects in a home and the homeowner gets upset when you find defects. Someone is either in denial or just made an error by hiring one great inspector.

Oct 12, 2011 01:41 PM

Donald Hester

NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA

NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Clint,

Good for you. We are hired to find things, if they are there. No home will ever be free of some findings.

I had a same sort of thing just about a month ago. I was informed the home will be an easy inspection (it really was for the most part) because it was just inspected 4 months ago , was told that there would be not much to find.

Well too bad the other inspector did not find the toilet that had been leaking and beginning to rot the sub-floor, and a leak in the main water supply (that was attracting some furry friends). Then they had a sidewalk with a negative grade that was starting to undermine the foundation. Other than that nothing else major.

Oct 12, 2011 05:30 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Good morning Keith,

The truth is, some inspectors get too "casual" with their inspections. They tell the client with they want to hear.

Have a great day my friend.

Best, Clint McKie

Oct 12, 2011 11:03 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Ginny.

I don't hear the "clean report" hardly at all. My number one Realtor that recommends me is always saying

"if it's there Clint will find it". A great referral, but I know I might miss something down the road. No one is perfect.

Have a good day in Rhode Island.

Best, Clint McKie

Oct 12, 2011 11:12 PM

James Dray

Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Does make you wonder doesn't it Mr. C

Oct 12, 2011 11:12 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hello Al,

I think it all arose from the fact that the home owner was offered a purchase price for the home.

With the stipulation that all the defects that were found were to be repaired before the closing. This would be money out of pocket for the seller.

This was the main issue for her. She wants to sell the home "as is" .

Have a great day in Florida .

Best, Clint McKie

Oct 12, 2011 11:17 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Donald,

Your right when we go out and inspect a home, we are there to look for the defects that are generally "have or are going to contribute to a problem in the future".

With that said, the seller should brace for the worst and hope for the best.

Thanks for the comment and for sharing your thoughts.

Best, Clint Mckie

Oct 12, 2011 11:21 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hello James,

I found out the when the new water heater was installed. It was inspected by the local mechanical inspector.

She said he passed the job with no problems. Too bad he did not notice the venting problem.

Have a great day in N.W. Arkansas.

Best, Clint McKie

Oct 12, 2011 11:23 PM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good post, Clint, and a very good reminder for every home buyer to request a professional home inspection.

Life is better when there are flowers to photograph.

The Dahlia Show at Brookside Gardens in Montgomery County, MD

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Oct 13, 2011 12:03 AM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Yes it does Roy. No one ever knows what an inspector will find once inspecting the home.

Have a good day in VA.

Best, Clint McKie

Oct 13, 2011 12:22 AM

Barbara Hensley

RE/MAX Properties - Rockwall, TX

Homes for Sale in Rockwall County, Texas

Clint - GOOD JOB! I am wondering why she would have four inspections - strange to say the least.

Get Out & About & Scare Up Some Fun!

Oct 13, 2011 02:52 AM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Good morning Barbara,

The reason is.

1. When she bought the home she had an inspection done. This was three years ago. She claims that there has been nothing changed but the water heater.

2. When the water heater was inspected for proper installation she said she had the inspector look at the whole home and could find nothing wrong.

3, A year ago, my competition was there to do a home inspection for a buyer.

4. Now my turn. I found a lot of things no one else found.

See wha you can do when you do your job correctly.

Have a great day in Rockwall Texas.

Best, Clint McKie

Oct 13, 2011 11:24 PM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Have a great day and an outstanding weekend.

Enjoy the colors of fall and be sure to have your camera in hand to capture those special moments.

Copy of IMG_5980 Life is better when there are flowers to photograph.

The Dahlia Show at Brookside Gardens in Montgomery County, Maryland

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Oct 13, 2011 11:51 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Thanks for the comment Roy.

Nice to see the great pictures every day. You are the man and woman (Delores). LOL

Have a great day. Best, Clint Mckie

Oct 14, 2011 12:26 AM

Jerry Newman

Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX

Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Clint, Yes, it does kind of make one wonder why she needed a fourth inspection. Now, she might order a fifth inspection so she can sell her home "as is". With most sellers it all comes down to how much money it's going to cost them for those repairs.

Oct 14, 2011 01:39 AM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Jerry,

Welcome to my posts.

First of all don't mention "as is". There have been way too many of those homes here sold this way. I was told by a Realtor here that the homes are being inspected by the agents, then if they don't find anything major they want the home owner to try to sell the property "as is" this will save the buyer a inspection fee up front.

All they have the buyer do is sign a waiver for the inspection.

Sad but true.

Have a great day in San Antonio, Texas. Great City.

Best, Clint McKie

Oct 14, 2011 11:36 PM