The big bad "D" word....

Hi Cheri..Unfortunatly it is a case of kill the messenger.Say someone is looking to buy an older house and can get a better price.Great you gotta start somewhere.

Well they are still going to hire an inspector to check for matters health,saftey and financial concern.

In other words they want to know what may be wrong with the house and have every right.

Over the years IRC,and NEC meaning international residential code and National Electrical Code have gotten tougher.Sure many things may be what is refered to as grandfathered and we do not care about local codes as that is up to the city or town inspector to worry about as they often have a political reason behind them and also vary enough that it is hard to keep up with them any way.

Now the big problem as you may see it from your side is that we need to report anything not up to current standards to our client even if these were not standards at the time that home was built.If we did not do this a poor job on our part.

The only difference is in how you explain these things to your client by taking the time to help them comprehend the issues.No nudge nudge,wink,wink or softening the report ,just good people skills.

I know smoke detectors were not required thirty years ago but they are now.GFCI recepticles were not required before but are now.AFCI on and on I could go.

The main thing is to educate people in what current standards are as this is our responsibility.

Cheri you are right to feel frustrated especialy when lending institutions stop sub-prime loans at a time when the market is so difficult but things will get bettor,as they always do.

Linda

I agree. As you maybe aware the chances are good that we will have licensing in this state as the Governor has the bill on his desk. The new bill has no sop, If you feel strongly I would suggest you write to the state to include in the sop, banning all the inspectors that go overboard and make it sound like the house is going to fall down and scare the buyers away. 

It would be great for the Realtor community in Fl and may catch on Nationwide. 

Blemishes not only add character to antique furniture and houses - heck, I have my own and I know I am a character.

Now Have a Blessed Day,

John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTOR
Hemet CA Real Estate

One of the reasons I don't mind sellers being present during the inspection.  I've gotten many inspections from seller's who want their new house detailed as well as I did the one they are leaving.

Some of them aren't at the inspection but see the report during negotiations.

Clear communication is probably the most valuable tool we have.  Sure you need to know what you're looking at but what good is knowing that if you can't communicate it to your clients.

Excellent post. People need to realize that even NEW homes need to be inspected! Most customers feel that if it is new, it has to be perfect. Nothing in life is perfect. People seem to forget that!

Too true Bill & Barbara Jo,

It often surprises the heck out of new homeowners the amount of items I find when I do their 11 month warranty inspection for them. Some of the stuff I find is down right dangerous and inexcusable shoddy workmanship from a sub-trade. I often end up getting many more inspections in the neighbourhood, simply because I am "thorough" I need to be, as do all inspectors. But, like many posts elude to, I am not an alarmist. I tell the client what is worth worrying about and what is just a minor nuisance repair. I tell them how it should be fixed and approximately how much. I have yet to "lose a sale" for an agent, unless the buyer has already planned to use me as their scape-goat and get out of the deal. Far cheaper to pay me, than to lose a deposit, right?

Great tips, something to think about.

Good post !!

The post that would not die.

HEH heh !

Sounds like one dissenting opinion is back for more action if you ask me.

Please please please.One can only hope.  Yawn.................................

Play yesterday   Paul Mccartney

Nice post!