The title of this blog is deceptive, down right silly -- if you know anything about the scope of a home inspection. Silly as that title above might be, it is apparent to any working inspector that some naive sellers are under the false impression that the home inspector comes to a house to do something as menial as performing a quick visual scan looking for any crooked pictures on the wall. I describe this to others as "people having a mistaken belief that we inspectors are there to pull out a torpedo level and put it on the picture frames to see which ones are cockeyed".
Seriously, I am amazed at the number of sellers who are surprised at the detail a good home inspector goes to. They drop their jaws when we remove the screws and the cover on the main electric panel, go into the attic and crawl space, open the furnace, test auto-reverse on the garage door, etc. I know that many of these people have no clue as to the real duties and obligations of the home inspector. I think some of them are under the impression that we are more like the housekeeping police. Granted, if the place is a gritty pig pen we will say something on the report but, honestly, we are more concerned about systems and components than fair to middlin' housekeeping.
The fact people do not understand our role can, at times, be frustrating; for example, when two tons of steel is blocking the electric service panel so it cannot be opened; when six years of firewood blocks the crawl space entry; when the attic hatch is boarded over or blocked by clothes racks or canned food in a tiny closet or cupboard. This misconception about the role of a home inspector is only solved with education that can probably best come from the professional real estate agents. If agents, especially those for the seller, will tell their clients that the inspector needs to have access to certain critical areas, and is not going to get too wrapped up in internally debating the last time the curtains were ironed, it would make the whole process more efficient. It would make it great. We could all straighten up and fly right.
Message to self -- list that crooked picture as a serious cosmetic defect!
Steven L. Smith
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Thanks.
I just added a link at the bottom, that explains what an inspector needs to have access to. Anyone who wants, can send the link to this to their sellers and it should help out, no matter where they live.
That's great information, Steve!
I use the home inspection contingency itself to educate buyers and sellers about the home inspection. The contingency in our state offer form identitfies a defect as 'a condition that would significanty shorten the life of the property, adversely impact the value of the property, or impair the health or safety of an occupant, if not repaired or replaced.'
I talk to clients about the home inspection as a tool to first discover major issues, and then to educate all involved.
Thank you for your link! Laurie
It's amazing that we have to remind sellers that the home inspector needs access to all areas.
Of course, sellers that don't already know that probably purchased without a home inspection.
Dang, I was about to make an appointment with a home inspector to straighten my picture frames and artwork on the walls.
Sean Allen
Laurie, and others, you are doing a good service to your customers.
Sean, I can come down and do that for you, but need a plane ticket. Plastic levels get past the metal detector.
Charlie,
Obviously you will never make it as a home stager too.
Gretchen,
There are some agents like that. They want you in and out and to not note anything in the report. Most agents are not like that but a few seem to have little concern for their clients with the big concern being commission. I understand the need for commission but, even when all facts are on the table, most deals will close. It is not fair to want an inspector to withhold information from his or her client. Get the information out, then negotiate any changes.
Thanks Cindy,
That is good to hear.
Christy,
The ball is a good idea. I use a large ball bearing sometimes to find that very thing. Now, we would hope that the inspector would point out the settling. That is a real factor, as opposed to the pictures.
Michael,
Thanks for the comments. Hope all is going well for you in this new year
Steve
Up here we keep trying to get the home inspectors to shovel the snow, but it never works. Good point you make here, and it's appreciated.
best
Gary,
There is a time or two where I almost had to shovel snow just to get in to do the inspection. I would have done it for you!
Hi Steven - ah, if only agents would tell sellers that that kind of access is needed. I've been on far too many inspections where clearly nothing like that was ever discussed with the sellers. Then the sellers come home, find their stuff moved, even though we tried to put everything back exactly as they had it, and then they get annoyed that things were moved. If that conversation had taken place ahead of time, it would certainly save some wear and tear for all involved.
Good point on this post!
Ann
Thanks Ann,
I always appreciate it when people have things cleared for the inspection. And it is great to know if there is some hidden device....like a second furnace in the attic.
Ross,
Lots of sellers hope that is what they are gonna get, the generic report on their house: clean the gutters, trim the bushes that touch the siding and miss everything else. Some inspectors do that, others actually try to do the job seriously every time.
Make sure you do disclose the crooked picture. The buyer may come back and accuse the builder of using studs that were not level, and want the builder, agents, inspector, broker, and anybody else with a pulse to pay for the repair. As long as you disclose, you're covered!
Ardell,
Good for you. That is the way to handle it. No panic, just make sure the basics are covered for the client.
Rich,
Thanks. I appreciate the comments. That phone call from you, when I got on here almost a year ago clarified the importance of this site and got me going. Always liked to write, so enjoy it very much. The train keeps a rollin'.
Glidden, Diane, Elaine,
Appreciate your stopping in. As far as the new home, assuming a new home will have no problems sets a person up to be disappointed. Now, if they are professionally built I seldom find anything real big, but often a number of things best fixed by the builder and not the poor sap buying it.
Thanks for a great and informative post. I'm still amazed at how many times I get asked "So the water really needs to be on" Well, only if you want a full inspection. I always try to communicate to the sellers how important it is for me to have access to every area.
You can say that again. Appearance goes along way.
San Francisco Commercial Real Estate
Gregory,
Not sure if you are joking, or missed the point. I really mean that it is NOT about straightening the pictures, although selling and staging the house might be.