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Buyer Beware...

By
Home Inspector with Complete Home Inspections, Inc. TN Lic#050

Buyer Beware...
          There are some folks that seem to put a lot of time and energy into doing things Stupid Stuffhalf a$$ed and pass it off to the unsuspecting public as "the norm". Now there is nothing wrong with maximizing profits. We live in a capitalistic society.
     However; there is a lot to be said about taking pride in the job that one does, their sense of doing right to others and total folly. Then too, there is the right way and the wrong way to do everything.
     When I see slipshod work, it often makes me wonder, if they have done stupid stuff such as this with the obvious, what have they done to what can't be seen? IMHO, these "Contractors" are nothing more than land sharks, preying on the unsuspecting.    
     Most potential home owners are a trusting lot. They trust the contractor/rehabber to do things in a workman like fashion. When things such as this are point out in the inspection walk-through, the reaction is often, "Tsk" <sigh> "We'll get them to fix it."
     While I can't say it, red flags are flying through my mind and my thoughts are, "Buyer Beware"…

Posted by

Complete Home Inspections, Brentwood TN 615.661.0297
 

Comments(26)

Faith LaRosse
Springer Realty Group - Limerick, PA
Serving Berks, Chester & Montgomery Counties

I ALWAYS strongly suggest home inspections for all my buyers.  Most often when they are trying to "cut costs" and skip the inspection I explain to them that this is NOT where you want to cut costs! What I actually want to say is--"Are you crazy, save $400-$500 now to possibly cost you thousands and thousands later- what kind of sense does THAT make?"

Nov 11, 2011 11:03 PM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Michael, i have never had a buyer turn down an inspection on a house...they do understand the yokels like this one that do things out there...how scary!

Nov 11, 2011 11:05 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Michael,

Looks like another "uncle Bob" job. Without bailing wire, chewing gum and duct tape he would be lost.

Good reminder on why we do Home inspections.

Best, Clint McKie

Nov 11, 2011 11:13 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

The job of the home inspector is to report the facts! The decison belongs to the buyer. Nice job Michael!! Enjoy your day!

Nov 11, 2011 11:33 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Looks like my handy work

Nov 12, 2011 12:15 AM
Mona Gersky
MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC - Sylva, NC
GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.

Did you ever consider that maybe the invention of duct tape wasn't such a great thing?  Put it in the hands of the wrong people and it's very very bad.

Nov 12, 2011 12:17 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Michael,

I know you must see it all! This one is really something!! I've never had a buyer not have the home their purchasing inspected. It's just not smart:).

Nov 12, 2011 12:25 AM
Carl Winters
Canyon Lake, TX

"Buyer Beware"… says it all Michael. No pride in workmanship in many cases and your photo shows the obvious.

C&C

Nov 12, 2011 01:20 AM
Don MacLean
New England Real Estate Center Inc. - Easton, MA
Realtor-Homes for Sale- Easton, Mass 02356

Michael, We can only imagine some of the other great handy work displayed on this property.

It is probably like a house of cards.

Enjoy the day

Nov 12, 2011 01:32 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Michael, just one more piece of duct tape and everything would have been ok :)

Nov 12, 2011 01:34 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

Pretty amazing what some people attempt to get away with! Thanks for sharing!

Nov 12, 2011 01:50 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Oh...the good ol duct tape strikes again....he hee..my hubby has, ahem, done some work with this too!

Nov 12, 2011 01:51 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Good Grief MacGyver - or in this case MacGruber (SNL) - that's a pretty messy wrapping job to be certain. ( It looks like the Christmas gifts my hubby wraps.) :)

Always good to have an awesome inspector to spot these issues. 

Nov 12, 2011 02:14 AM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Buying a new home, building a home, older home all get inspected by a good quality home inspector like you!  Even in a cash deal I insist.  It covers us all from grief down the road.

Nov 12, 2011 02:15 AM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Ahhh. Duct tape! A shoddy contractor's best friend! Did they think no one would notice this? I think we all know the answer to that question.

Nov 12, 2011 02:33 AM
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

That is why it is soooo important to have a great home inpsector by your side Michael, even with new construction!  There are so many that are lazy and don't care about the unsuspecting public!  Wow!  

Nov 12, 2011 02:54 AM
Kristine Ginsberg
Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ
NJ Home Stager

Michael - it amazes me how so many don't care about taking pride in a job done right..........and this is a perfect example. Duct tape seems to be the fix it all for way too many people - lol!

Nov 12, 2011 04:45 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

That is a completely proper use of duct tape.  And look, there are no leaks.  Properly done, like that, duct tape does not leak.

Whachyerproblem?

Nov 12, 2011 12:23 PM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

I agree with you Michael, and that is why people like you are so valuable to us.

Nov 12, 2011 01:02 PM
The Brewer Team - Benchmark Realty
Benchmark Realty - Franklin, TN

It's amazing what some of these creative minds can do when confronted with an opportunity to resolve problems.

Nov 17, 2011 12:49 AM