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 I HATE telemarketer phone calls. This statement may feel like a duh moment, but it is why I don't share my client's data (name, phone number, or email address) with home warranty companies, home security companies, or Porch. Unfortunately, some home inspectors are sharing your phone number with these companies and more. So when you are searching for a home inspector, ask the question, "do you share my phone number with any third party." When you ask me, it will be a resounding, "NO."
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 All inspectors are not created equal, yet many homebuyers assume that when they go searching for a home inspector. That's why the first question I almost always get from a homebuyer is, "what's your price?" This is a BIG mistake. I have spoken to many home sellers that said they wish they had hired me on their first inspection. I recommend asking inspectors the following questions:
 Houses are bought by people who all have different reasons for liking or disliking a home. While you can't change the location of your home or the number bedrooms however, there is a list of items that can help sell your home faster and for more money. Here is a list of items you should consider when selling your home. An experienced realtor should be able to help you with this list.
No Curb Appeal If a house is blocked by over grown or dead brush and trees, then buyers may never come see the home. Additionally, you need to make sure the house is properly painted with an appealing color. Scary Paint Colors Some people like yellow or a young girl may like pepto-pink, but it is a reason people don't buy homes everyday. The solution is to re-paint walls with neutral colors like light gray and tan. This is very inexpensive and a quick fix. Yuck Nearly everyone starts the day by showering or bathing, because you want to be presentable. In the same way, people are attracted to cleaner homes. This means during showings there cannot be dishes in the sink, dirt cloths on the floor, unmade beds, unclean floors, or dust on the furniture. I know this seems pedestrian, but it matters to buyers. If the carpet is really dirty, have it professionally cleaned or replaced. Believe it or not, you will get it back in the sales price. Reduce the Clutter Many sellers are moving to larger homes because they have outgrown their current home. Buyers can't always see beyond the items in the home. If there is too much furniture or kids toys, then the house won't sell as quickly. Don't forget about the garage. People in Indiana want a place to park their car out of the winter snow and ice. If you can't park your car in the garage, then the buyers will think they can't do it either. For me, I moved items into a storage unit for a month while my house was on the market. Trying to Sell without a Realtor It's been proven time and time again, houses sell faster and for more money when listed with a quality Realtor. Realtors market your home, help you decide what price point to list your house at, help you identify the right way to stage your home, and negotiate on your behalf. It makes no sense to sell a home without a Realtor. Waiting for the Buyer's Home Inspection
When you wait for the home inspection to be done after the offer, you can get side swiped with requests to repair defects. Some defects sellers don't know exist, others may not be all that important. If you get a pre-listing inspection, then you can preemptively make repairs. This gives you time to make repairs yourself or find price conscious contractors and repair people.  So you negotiated a bunch of repairs and feeling good about yourself. But, were these repairs completed and completed correctly? Sometimes yes, but sometimes no. It's scary to think someone would agree to make repairs, then not complete them. You could end up with safety hazards and not know it.
How do you protect yourself? First, since repairs should be completed by contractors like electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and so on, ask for receipts. Sometimes the sellers will try to fix electrical issues themselves, but the odds are pretty good that they will do it wrong. Moreover, there is a reason electricians go to school and require a test to become an electrician. You wouldn't ask an electrician to make a gourmet meal or fly a commercial airliner. Why would you be ok with a seller making electrical repairs? If they cannot come up with invoices, then pay me to have a repairs inspection. Cost is minimal and I have seen repairs that make me shake my head. For instance, one time the repairs to the electrical panel which disconnected power to one bedroom. That's right no power to the receptacles, light fixture, or ceiling fan. Good thing my client hired me. Call me when you are ready for an Excellent Home Inspection.  Mold is a word that strikes fear in many people. There are stories of people becoming very sick because of mold, but I think it is important to be armed with the best information available. Here is a list of facts about mold in homes.
For more information see www.epa.gov/mold and www.cdc.gov/mold. Note: I am not a mold remediation contractor and my inspections exclude mold detection and identification.  Why do you spend the money for an inspection? Because you don't want to buy the money pit, but what if your home inspector isn't very good? You could still be stuck with the money pit, which is why most inspectors don't offer this service.
Call me today to schedule an Excellent Home Inspection. 812-371-9182 Owning a home means you are responsible for maintenance. Maintenance keeps the house functioning and safe. Here is a list of common maintenance items. At some point you are going to need to hire a contractor (plumber, electrician, HVAC technician, etc). All contractors do not preform to the same level. Here are a couple of suggestions for finding the right contractor for your project.
Next, make sure permits are ordered on bigger projects so that you know the job is completed correctly. Furthermore, some bigger projects need to have contracts spelling out exactly what is to be done. Finally, don't pay the full amount until the project is completed. There is a common misconception about home inspection cost. I hear from buyers that feel like a $300 or $400 inspection fee is too expensive, but truthfully that is cheap in comparison to the cost a home buyer incurs when they don't get a good home inspection. Think about the damage that an electrical fire can cause or the cost to replace a furnace, roof shingles, air conditioner, or water heater. Below are some items that I have uncovered during inspections and their cost to repair or replace.  You hire a home inspector to provide you with information about your new home. We tell you what is not working, what is unsafe, and what you should do about it. Unfortunately, clients don't always follow my directions.
For instance, my reports instruct them to have the repairs done by licensed tradespeople before close, since tradespeople are more likely to complete the repairs to code and discover issues outside the scope of my home inspection. To my dismay, client's allow sellers, who are not licensed as electricians, HVAC technicians, or plumbers, to make repairs. These repairs could be substandard or just wrong. I implore you, as my client, to read the report and follow my instructions. |
Chris JacobiHome inspector since 2012. Archives
August 2022
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