Inspectors Inspect...BUT.....

. In Wisconsin, home inspectors have to be licensed. As in any other profession...there are good and bad and must have had someone else take the exam Inspectors.  Many of them feel it is their duty to find something...anything...a last ditch "gotta fix" here is to pitch the landscaping away from the foundation...Not a defect...a routine systems maintenance item....yes, yes....one too few homeowners do...but should.

   We have had inspectors on 3 year old homes tell us the shingles were put on "upside down"....most recently that a 2 year new roof with 50 year shingles was "showing premature wear". Normal....settling cracks could be "dangerous"...with no water, no deflection. The ever famous, "not to code" which is a coin flip as to whether it is to code...and did "the code" exist....

   We are fortunate...David has a background in construction prior to real estate...we have done many projects including designing our own home. Most agents are without that kind of background...and choose to trust what they believe to be the "highest and best source"...and it may well not be the highest and best inspector. Inspectors backgrounds vary here..some may have worked in the trades ...some just have a license and know what they had to learn for the state exam but have no formal training in any specific area.  Some begin every sentence on their  report with "Evaluate the..." also with needless expense due to the need the inspector feels to ...include "CYA language."The small print in most inspection contract says that inspectors are only responsible for any "errors" only equal to the amount charged for the inspection." Suing an inspector rarely remedies anything that may have been an oversight.

   If you are new to an area...OR to real estate...ask agents who have been in the industry a long time who they recommend. Cheaper is not better,...shorter is not better...Knowlegable, educated and experienced is best. 

   This has been an educating real estate post brought to you by Sally K.  & David L. Hanson, Broker Associates with EXP Realty honored to be of service for all things real estate in Southeastern Wisconsin.