It could be argued that this post is a post about agents, or a post about our clients. It’s neither … it’s a post about expectation management, and the lack of it is driving me crazy.
Every buyer has the right to do a home inspection by a licensed home inspector. I encourage it – it’s a great opportunity to take a closer look at the real guts of a home, the structure and it’s systems. We have several we use on a regular basis when representing buyers, in fact, and they do a great job (shameless plug – if you’d like to have your home inspected even though it’s not recently purchased, call Pillar to Post, Inspections Inc or National Property Inspections … they’ll all do a great job). For a few hundred dollars, you can spend a couple of hours with a nationally-certified home inspector and learn some really valuable insights into how the home is designed, what systems and features are working well and what might be potential problems if left untreated. It’s agreat source of information, and I recommend everyone take advantage of it.
Our Contract reads that the purpose of the home inspection is "RESTRICTED TO DETERMINING ONLY that the plumbing (including well, well pump and septic system, if any), heating, air conditioning (if any), electrical systems and appliances are in safe working order, there are no structural defects and the roof is free of leaks." That’s a pretty comprehensive list at the major nuts and bolts of a house – so why am I getting these home inspection reports and Amendments from Agents and their buyers with these silly, cosmetic requests for repairs?
I bought a house once that had a rusty furnace. The rust was literally falling into the pilot flame and burning orange – According ;to the professionals at http://www.ahheatingair.com that’s a major safety issue as it relates to the HVAC system, particularly when there was a family of six living with the potential fire hazard. You can bet we got that fixed as a result of the home inspection! A wet basement could be indicative of a foundation problem, and a sagging roof could be a sign of insufficient framing trusses. Those are issues of major concern. A white, vinyl post cap missing from the front porch railing you just walked past is not of major concern. Neither are burned out light bulbs, a stain on the laminate countertop, missing drain stoppers or mini-blinds.
A house can be a home, but please stop asking sellers to make their homes good as new. If you want new construction, we work with a number of excellent builders – you’ll have to buy your own window blinds though. Expectation Management.
LP – although you appear to be blog spam, I’m going to respond nevertheless. It’s easy to be a cynic and say that inspectors just find problems to earn their keep, but judging by your site it appears that cynicism is something not new to you. I don’t mean that as a disrespect, but according to your site you’ve been through more than enough real estate nightmares for one lifetime. If you sort through the junk and the filth enough, you’ll find diamonds, and all of the vendors we use – whether it be for inspections, closings, mortgages … even couriers – are nothing but the utmost of professionals.
I’m sorry you’ve had such awful experiences. I’d be sour as well, and I’ll be the first to admit that my industry is one in which you don’t need more than 1/2 a brain to do this job sometimes, but that WILL catch up with you eventually. I’d ask that you not paint all of us with such a broad stroke …
LP – although you appear to be blog spam, I’m going to respond nevertheless. It’s easy to be a cynic and say that inspectors just find problems to earn their keep, but judging by your site it appears that cynicism is something not new to you. I don’t mean that as a disrespect, but according to your site you’ve been through more than enough real estate nightmares for one lifetime. If you sort through the junk and the filth enough, you’ll find diamonds, and all of the vendors we use – whether it be for inspections, closings, mortgages … even couriers – are nothing but the utmost of professionals.
I’m sorry you’ve had such awful experiences. I’d be sour as well, and I’ll be the first to admit that my industry is one in which you don’t need more than 1/2 a brain to do this job sometimes, but that WILL catch up with you eventually. I’d ask that you not paint all of us with such a broad stroke …
I think inspectors like to point out the little flaws so the buyer thinks they are actually doing some good. Many home inspectors aren’t very good at looking over the major systems.
I think inspectors like to point out the little flaws so the buyer thinks they are actually doing some good. Many home inspectors aren’t very good at looking over the major systems.
Yep Jim, I feel better. Thanks!
Yep Jim, I feel better. Thanks!
This is a really good point and one that responsible buyer’s agents really need to emphasize to the prospective buyer. I participated in a home inspection in Roanoke County last week and the very first thing I told my buyers when discussing the home inspection is that it is limited to the major systems in the home. Not cosmetics, not minor flaws, etc. The process works so much smoother for both sides when the buyer and seller are aware of their responsibilities in the transaction. Agents need to keep their people in the know.
Whew! Buyers’ expectations can be a four-letter word, huh?
It’s up to the Buyers’ Agents to set the expectations appropriately, and it’s a shame that some of them don’t do that from the start.
Feel better, now? 🙂
Whew! Buyers’ expectations can be a four-letter word, huh?
It’s up to the Buyers’ Agents to set the expectations appropriately, and it’s a shame that some of them don’t do that from the start.
Feel better, now? 🙂
This is a really good point and one that responsible buyer’s agents really need to emphasize to the prospective buyer. I participated in a home inspection in Roanoke County last week and the very first thing I told my buyers when discussing the home inspection is that it is limited to the major systems in the home. Not cosmetics, not minor flaws, etc. The process works so much smoother for both sides when the buyer and seller are aware of their responsibilities in the transaction. Agents need to keep their people in the know.