Home Inspection Nightmares

I promise not to completely trash the home inspection industry, but I think it is very important that everyone understand that there is NO REGULATION in this industry. If I want to be a home inspector:

1. I can have business cards printed up and some letterhead, Buy a few basic tools, a clipboard and I am good to go.
2. If I have a few bucks to fund this experiment, then I can buy all the inspection forms online and look a little more professional.
3. If I decide to really make this a business, then I can sign up for classes and work to get CREA and ASHI certified.

CREA – The California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA) is a voluntary, nonprofit public-benefit organization of real estate inspectors. ASHI – The American Society of Home Inspectors

Looking at the construction industry (where many of these inspectors come from) the average length a contractor’s licenses stays active in California is 18 months. With over 300,000 licenses in the state and 650 applications coming in per week the turn over in the business is high.

Here are a few of the problems I have encountered with inspectors. (Please note these were inspectors brought by the buyer when I was representing the Seller).

Case #1

1. This home was located in Simi Valley. The inspector called for an anti-siphon/suction cover on the pool drain and call out exposed wires in the pool light socket (pool light had been removed).
2. The inspector never removed the skimmer cover to inspect the skimmer. Had he done his job he would have seen that the drain line was plugged permanently with cement, so an anti-siphon/suction cover was not needed. More importantly his clients should have been notified on his report of the plugged drain line.
3. If the inspector knew the mechanics behind pool lights, he would have known that this would have been impossible. Pool lights are hard wired with a very long wire to reach the junction box. The entire wire goes with the light when installed or replaced. The Seller abandon the use of the pool light years ago. There were no exposed wires.

Case #2

1. On another home I represented the Seller, the buyer’s inspector claim the HVAC was broken, yet the inspector never turned it on because he could not locate the thermostat.

In these two instances the buyers were dis-serviced by the inspector they paid and the sellers were harmed because the buyers started to make demands based on the faulty inspection.

Another problem these inspectors make is calling out new code on older homes. As long as there is not a governmental mandatory retrofit standard, then an older home does not have to be brought to current code. The inspector should explain this to his clients. Rarely do these inspectors  explain why these conditions exists due to changing codes.

Last I do have to put some heat on the agents. Here in my trade area, the two governmental mandatory retrofit standards are bracing the water heater and smoke detectors. KNOW THE LAW.

• There is a certain type of state approved material to strap a water heater, Rope is not approved.
• Smoke detectors are not required in every bedroom on homes built before 1992 unless more than $1,000.00 of permitted improvements have been done to the home. I had a 25 year veteran Broker try to make my selllers put smoke detectors in every room in the house. I felt funny having to show him the current regulation.

I have several inspectors I work with and trust. Here is the criteria that is important when helping buyers find a good home inspector.

• Time in the business. How many inspections have they done?
• Area they work? If they have been working your trade area for many years, then they will know the idiosyncrasies that are common with certain tracts, developments or builders.
• Member of ASHI and CREIA?
• References
• Bonded and Insured (E&O)

DON’TS when hiring and inspector

• Just because he is the popular guy everyone uses at the office.
• No construction background.
• No Certification
• Might have long experience but is from out of the area.

Please add to my List. I’d love to see what everyone has experienced!

The most recent homes listed for sale in Simi Valley updated daily:

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