I recently stumbled across this little jewel. I was inspecting this mid 50’s house and when I opened a pocket door that I assumed was to a closet, I discovered that it was blocked off by the exterior siding. Maybe this is a door to nowhere like in the famous haunted Winchester Mansion. Hmmm.
Author: AZ Home Inspector
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Door To Nowhere
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Home Inspection, The Morning After
The home inspection report is a very useful document, provided that it is carefully read, understood and implemented. I’d have to say that in my experience, the report is most often used by the buyer’s agent to fill out the request for repairs. I personally feel that this practice is alright provided that the agent does their due diligence. What I mean by that is the agent needs to word their request so that the needs of the buyer are properly met while limiting their own liability.
The inspection report is not set up as a request for repairs. Its intended purpose is to make the buyer aware of the condition of the house and what kind of repairs might be needed in both the short and long term before they own the house. Should the buyer ask the seller to make repairs during the escrow period, good for them.
Real Estate Agents need to be careful how they use the report in their repair requests. Some of the more common issues that I see arise from these requests are the requested repairs are poorly performed if at all. This puts the agent in a sticky situation – usually the day before closing.
Now I’m not a lawyer and I don’t play one on TV. So the best advice I can give to an agent is to speak with your lawyer and/or broker about how best to protect yourself with regards to the repair requests. However, I find that agents who make specific requests such as who is to perform the work and have them provide receipts for the repairs have fewer problems.
Also, a home inspection and report is limited in nature. Other conditions may exist that are in need of repair and fall outside the scope of the inspection. By having a professional contractor further evaluate the problems, they can identify and repair any items not covered in the inspection. Uncle Billy is just not qualified to make these kind of repairs. After all, the seller just wants to get out of the house and move on the the next one. Often times, they don’t care if the repairs are properly performed or not. This can put the agent in a sticky situation after the house has closed.
Home inspection reports, by their nature, do not outline how the repairs are to be made and can be vague regarding the specific work to be done. Agents that make assumptions about the repairs are asking to pay for part of the repairs out of their pocket. For example, if the report has 3 pictures of broken roof tiles, and the agent assumes that their are only 3 broken tiles and they ask for 3 broken tiles to be repaired, the agent may be paying for the repair of all of the broken roof tiles with exception of the 3 that were requested.
It is important to understand that the request for repairs is an addendum to the purchase contract and should be treated as part of the contract. What I am trying to say is that wording counts and can be held against you.
I am fully aware that the inspection can be the most difficult part of the transaction. But with good communication between the buyer, agent and the inspector, many problems can be avoided.
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Burning Down the House
One day as I arrived at my inspection, I was greeted by an excited home owner. He immediately started to talk about the "clean up" and how they were lucky. A little confused, he led me into the kitchen where I saw the charred remains of the microwave oven, black soot on the ceilings and walls, and crispy cabinets. It turns out that the night before the inspection, they went to clean the oven (they said that it was on my behalf, so I would have a nice clean oven to look at). A candle was left on the oven (not intentionally) and they left the house. When they returned, they found the fire department and the entire neighborhood in their driveway to greet them.
Luckily for the homeowner, a passer by spotted flames through the kitchen window and called for help. This quick action from a total stranger saved their house from burning to the ground. I guess there are still some good Samaritans in the world.
I guess what I am trying to say is watch your oven in the cleaning cycle. Remove all objects from inside and on top of the unit, and it is even wise to pull it out away from the wall and cabinetry.
Although this was an accident, it could have been avoided by taking a few precautions. I’m just glad they still have a house to sell.
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Special Inspections – for Homeowners
Why would you need a Special Inspection?
- Are those cracks in your walls just settlement cracks or are they structural?
- Should you pay to fix them or wait…will they just crack again?
- Have you received estimates from contractors and aren’t sure they’re being honest with you?
- Are they telling you that something needs to be replaced when it only needs to be adjusted?
- Do you have moisture getting in somehow but you’re not sure how?
- Have you ever wondered why it is warmer in one room than another?
- Do you hear running water even when no faucets are on?
- What about the door that sticks and those cracks in your tile.
The leaky shower head that caused this damage LOOKED like it was only leaking outside the wall. An inspection revealed that the leak had actually caused the wall to rot, requiring that it be completely rebuilt. (Picture above was taken during wall repairs. No dismantling or destructive testing is performed during a home inspection.)
Special Inspections are for homeowners that need help with a specific problem instead of an ‘entire house inspection’.
CALL for an inspection TODAY!
(480) 503-2611
Toll Free 1-888-THE-WERX…because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!
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Home Inspectors Must Always Beware of Dogs!
This is just one of the many dangers that Home Inspectors must face on a daily basis. Stay brave.
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Homewerx Home Inspections, NOT Homeworks, Homewerks or Homeworx!
There is sometimes a little confusion about our name. I know…it’s our own fault for spelling it funny! But we still want our Clients and potential Clients to be able to find us when they need us. So I’m writing this post to clarify. We are not Homeworks Home Inspection or Homework Home Inspection, and we are not Homeworx Home Inspection either. We are not Homewerks Home Inspection, or even Homewerk Home Inspection. And we’re definitely not Homewirk Home Inspection, Homewirks Home Inspection or Homewirx Home Inspection! And we’re absolutely, positively not Homewrex Home Inspection or Homerwerx Inspection!
We are Homewerx Home Inspection (also known as Homewerx, Inc.) and we are the best home inspection company in Arizona! We have the best and most competent Home Inspectors in the Valley! We offer the most comprehensive and easy-to-read home inspection report available. But most of all, we inspect each home as if we are buying it ourselves and we treat each Client the way we would like to be treated. Give us a try and see for yourself!
CALL HOMEWERX HOME INSPECTIONS TODAY!
(480) 503-2611 or 1-888-THE-WERX
or you can schedule your inspection online!
….because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!
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Expert Witness Services
Need an Expert on your side?
- Are you fighting with your builder or contractor?
- Are you a Real Estate Agent, or otherwise involved in a real estate transaction gone bad?
- Feel that a lawsuit may be the only way to resolve your differences?
Let one of our experienced Home Inspectors be your Expert Witness and:
- Thoroughly inspect the property or item in question
- Take pictures, video clips, verbal & written notes
- Perform various research (public records, codes, etc.)
- Prepare a comprehensive written report with color digital photos
- Communicate findings supporting your position to other parties
- If necessary, appear for depositions and/or testify on your behalf.
We’re on your side! Call for a free price quote today.
(480) 503-2611 or 1-888-THE-WERX
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Construction Inspections – for New Home Buyers
Think you don’t need your new home inspected during and after construction because the city inspector will catch any flaws?
Think again…New homes need to be inspected too!
Many defects can affect your family’s health and safety, not to mention your pocketbook and the long term condition of your home. By hiring Homewerx to inspect your new home during its construction, you are sending a message to your builder that you expect quality workmanship and intend to hold them to the highest standards possible. Having an inspection during the construction of your new home also allows us to inspect inside the walls and other areas that can’t be seen in a finished house. Therefore, the Inspector can make sure important items, like the stem wall, are constructed properly.
City inspectors look mainly for code violations. And most people would be AMAZED at some of the defects our inspectors have found that apparently slipped by the city inspector!
Depending on how far along construction is when you call us, we will perform 3 separate inspections while your house is being built. Of course, Clients are always welcome to call their Inspector at any phase of the construction to discuss whatever concerns they may have.
Stem Wall Inspection – takes place upon completion of the stem wall, preferably before the underground plumbing is buried
Frame Inspection – takes place just before the drywall and insulation are installed
Final Inspection – takes place when construction is complete and utilities are turned on (just prior to the final walk-through)
CALL TODAY!!!
(480) 503-2611 or 1-888-THE-WERX
or you can schedule online!
…because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!
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Home Maintenance Inspections are Important
WHAT’S HIDING IN YOUR ATTIC?
We all perform regular maintenance on our cars by having a tune-up every so many miles, but what about your house? Often times, our biggest investment is also the most neglected.
Homes in Mesa have increased in value approximately 50% over the last year. To maintain that value, you need to have periodic inspections and repairs performed on your home. Catching problems early can help prevent more severe and costly damage later.
The average home inspection reveals more than 43 defects. Even new homes have many hidden problems never seen by the occupants. Some defects even pose a significant HEALTH and SAFETY RISK to you and your family. Out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind!
A Home Maintenance Inspection from Homewerx will make you aware of what repairs are needed now to avoid further costly damage, and which ones can wait. In addition to identifying and prioritizing those conditions that need attention, a home inspection can also detect immediate safety issues. From broken trusses and roof problems to plumbing and electrical issues…we’ll check it all out for you. We even do a carbon monoxide test. By identifying and correcting problems early, you can save a great deal of time, money and frustration.
A Home Maintenance Inspection is also a great learning opportunity. You can walk through the house with the Inspector and ask any questions you may have about your home or its components. Our Inspectors will take the time to answer your questions and address your concerns. In addition to being extremely knowledgeable, our Inspectors are also very personable and are able to answer questions and discuss their findings in a manner that is easy to understand. Many Clients are amazed at how much information they obtain during a 2-3 hour home inspection.
Selling your home soon and don’t want to do repairs? Not only do most buyers have a home inspection, but the average buyer negotiates TWICE the cost of necessary repairs during the sale. Knowledge is power! Properly maintaining your home now will ensure maximum sales price and minimum time on the market when you sell.
If your home has not been inspected recently, CALL TODAY!!!
(480) 503-2611 or 1-888-THE-WERX
or you can schedule online!
Because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!
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Pre-Sale Inspection – for the Seller
A Pre-Sale Inspection, also called a Pre-Listing Inspection, identifies potential problems prior to listing the property for sale. This type of inspection usually saves the seller a significant amount of time, money and frustration!
Most buyers will have an inspection and may want defective items fixed. Even if your home is fairly new and well maintained, a good home inspector will find several dozen defects during an inspection. This can cause delays in closing, or could possibly even blow the deal if the seller refuses to make repairs. SELLERS BEWARE!!! On average, buyers negotiate TWICE the cost of repairs during a real estate transaction! Having a Pre-Sale Inspection before you list your home can ensure maximum sales price and minimize the time it takes to sell your home.
By having a Pre-Sale Inspection and making necessary repairs in advance, sellers are much more likely to receive full market value for their house. Even if the seller decides not to make all, or any necessary repairs before putting the house for sale, just knowing what issues are likely to arise can help keep you in control of the transaction.
A Pre-Sale Inspection may also aid the seller and Seller’s Agent in minimizing liability and complying with state law, by disclosing defects. To further limit liability, sellers may also want to consider ordering an Arizona Disclosure Report or a Neighborhood Environmental Report.
Knowledge is power! Schedule a Pre-Sale Inspection today!
Call (480) 503-2611 or SCHEDULE ONLINE!
