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Egress and the means of. Home inspection in Dexter New Mexico 88230

By Clint Mckie

Home Inspector with Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections 10072923

January 05, 2014 11:07 PM

When I got the call for this inspection, the buyer wanted to know if I had an issue about driving "All the way to Dexter New Mexico".

Dexter New Mexico sits about ten miles south of Roswell New Mexico. I inspect homes in Roswell New Mexico, so driving to Dexter was not an issue. Only about 70 Miles.

The buyers asked if I charged a travel fee. I told them no and what the inspection fee would be. They were fine with that.

The reason I brought up the travel fee, was that many inspectors charge a travel fee if they have to travel outside their home town city limits.

You should have a set fee for an area. I do, any where within the TRI county area is a set fee.

Now on wards to the inspection. Egress is the means to get out of a room if there is ever a issue like a fire or another type of emergency.

When I got to inspecting the homes windows I had a lot of concerns about the conditions of the windows.

This home was built in 1984, but the builder which is often the case took the cheap route when building the home.

These windows would not open, close, operate, nor lock properly.

Take a look at this shot.

Window with sprung springs.

The window in this shot had dropped down when the Locks were un locked. The springs used to lift and lower the upper sash were to connected any more. If a child was below the window, it could have knocked them out if they would have been in the way of the dropping window.

Spring not attached.

See the fitting bracket in the middle of the frame? This is supposed to be connected to the spring to help the window go up and down with ease.

There was not a single window in the home that was not in full operation.

All three bedroom windows were not in operation and could not even be opened for means of egress.

The seller has a lot to do to make this home a presentable home for the markets.

(A couple of weeks ago there was a inspector from that area that was there and wrote a report that said there was no issues with the exterior windows, Really?)

This is why you always get a "FULL Home Inspection" by a certified inspector. For the peace of mind.

Call Clint at 1-575-706-5586

Have a great New Years day Celebration every one.

If you are buying a home and want a very good home inspection. Call Clint McKie at 1-575-706-5586 Desert Sun Home Inspections can and will find the issues if there are any. We service Eddy, Lea and Chaves Counties in Southeast New Mexico.

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Donald Hester

NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA

NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Clint, I had a single hung window installed sideways and when you opened it it was spring loaded. Got to love that, power assist window ;)

Jan 06, 2014 12:41 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Clint- I remember looking at a home in Northern VA with a non-walkout basement. I know my husband was careful to see what manner of egress there was. I want to be able to get out of a room

Jan 06, 2014 12:58 AM

Adrian Willanger

206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA

Profit from my two decades of experience

Clint-safety is a huge issue, good catch on this one. I've had complete houses where all of the springs in the windows were bad.

Enjoy the week-Adrian

Jan 06, 2014 01:10 AM

Rob Thomas

Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN

Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

Clint ...I think builders should have to disclose the quality of material they use when building homes!

Have a great day in CARLSBAD!

Jan 06, 2014 05:45 AM

Jay Markanich

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Apparently NOT operating correctly is not an issue Clint! So, by default, operating correctly IS an issue.

Jan 06, 2014 05:48 AM

Anita Clark

Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA

Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Clint: Shameful that this home was inspected a few weeks ago and the inspector did not find anything wrong with the windows. Good thing these consumers called you!

Jan 06, 2014 06:45 AM

Joan Cox

House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO

Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Clint, great information on egress windows. We have basements and to have a legal bedroom in the basement, must have an egress window.

Jan 06, 2014 10:50 AM

James Dray

Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

I just can't understand why people are not required to test for being able to perform a inspection. So from what I see I with no experience can move to NM and start an inspection business?

Jan 06, 2014 06:40 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

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

Hi Toni,

There are issues with these windows that I don't normally see. Almost every window had an issues of some kind.

Have a nice day in Trinity.

Best, Clint McKie

Jan 06, 2014 06:45 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

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

Hi Michael,

How do you know if the locks work? Test the windows. No other way to do it.

Have a nice day and a warmer one in Brentwood my friend.

Best, Clint McKie

Jan 06, 2014 06:47 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

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

Hello Donald,

I had seen this before. A vertical window mounted sideways. Always look for the weeps. they should always be on the bottom of the window not the ends or sides.

Have a great day in the Great Northwest.

Best, Clint McKie

Jan 06, 2014 06:49 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

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

Hi Kathy,

Good thing to look for when buying a home. None of these bedroom windows would even lift to try and get out. They would have to break out a window to escape the home.

Have a good day in the Delray Beach areas today.

Best, Clint McKie

Jan 06, 2014 06:50 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

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

Hi Adrian,

It's the danged ol' cheap windows they used. Many have a warranty but some are only 90 days. By the time the home is sold the windows are already out of warranty.

Have a nice day in Seattle my friend.

Best, Clint McKie

Jan 06, 2014 06:52 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

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

Hi Rob,

Most do. But it's just a list of the materials they use. Most buyers don't have a clue as to what is a good product and what is a not so good one.

Have a great day stay inside in Bristol my friend.

Best, Clint McKie

Jan 06, 2014 06:54 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

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

Hi Jay,

True, there are even new homes with these issues. I look at what manufacturer built the windows and don't recognize the name. Off brands are always a bad choice for a new home.

Have a stay inside day in Bristow.

Best, Clint McKie

Jan 06, 2014 06:56 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

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

Hi Anita,

I'm thinking that this was just another thing on the long list that the local inspectors don't inspect. Just about everything in and on the home gets deferred.

Have a great day in Warner Robins.

Best, Clint McKie

Jan 06, 2014 06:58 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

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

Hi Joan,

Is it the emergency escape type? With a quick release?

The well has to be big enough for an easy escape as well.

Have a good day in the Denver areas.

Best, Clint McKie

Jan 06, 2014 07:00 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

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

Hi James,

Yes you could. Come and hang a shingle and your in business. No tests here for anything. Sad day for sure. The state should require some sort of certification but they don't.

Have a nice warm day inside today in Rogers my friend.

Best, Clint McKie

Jan 06, 2014 07:19 PM

Jay Markanich

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

I am told that after new windows are installed in a house, a rep from the company is supposed to come by to check installation and performance. I don't know if that's true.

Jan 06, 2014 08:16 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

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

Hi Jay,

That all depends on the quality of windows being installed in the new home. Retrofit windows usually bought at the lumber yard or big box has no follow up by anyone ever.

When I built homes there was a rep by the manufacturer that I used that did come by each time we were finished with a home. Gave us pointers and kept us on our toes.

Have a great day inside in Bristow.

Best, Clint McKie

Jan 06, 2014 08:35 PM